Tumble (Dogwood Lane 1)

Leave the bathroom.

Wave goodbye to Gary.

Go into my room.

Make sure the phone is charged.

Brush my hair and add some straightening balm. Brush it again.

Open the computer and do a quick scan of the Archon Sports website.

By the time the phone rings, my nerves are a little more even-keeled. I answer it. “Hello?”

“Is this Ms. Kimber?”

I settle into my desk chair. “It is. Is this Mr. Snow?”

“How are you today?”

My breathing evens out, and I fall right back into the role of professional and try to get myself back on track.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

NEELY

Do you think you got the job?” Grace asks. “I need you back here. I’ve learned over the past week that you are the only person I really like.”

A flock of birds take off as I pass their little perch on the top of the slide. The park is empty except for one child and their mother over on the swings.

“I think it went well. He said he’d get back to me soon, so we’ll see.”

“Let me know as soon as you know. A bunch of concert dates were just posted in Cooper Square, and tickets go on sale on Friday. I’ll grab us some if you’ll be back.”

“Sounds good.”

The sun filters through the old trees in the center of the park. I walk the circular drive that encompasses the play area. From my mom’s house to the park, around the drive, and back is one mile even. I’ve probably coursed this circle five times now, but my brain is too tired to compute how far that is.

“Hang on,” I tell Grace. A rumble sneaks up behind me. An engine revs, making me dash off the asphalt and onto the grass. “Why don’t you . . .” I turn to see Dane’s truck pulling up beside me. “Hey.”

He stops. Arm resting on the window, hat on backward, he grins. “What are you up to?”

“Just walking. Needed some activity and fresh air today.”

“Could’ve come to the jobsite. I’d have hired you in place of Penn.”

“I’m not good with a hammer.”

“I could teach you.” He plucks the truck into park. “Want to grab some dinner?”

“Can you hang on one second?” I hold up a finger and lift the phone to my ear. “Hey, Grace. I’m gonna call you back later, okay?”

“I love his voice. In my mind, he’s wearing red-and-black flannel with a big wad of chew in his bottom lip. That’s so gross—I hate spit. But it’s also hot in a weird southern-boy kind of way.”

Laughing, I look at Dane. He’s looking at his own phone.

“Well, it’s too hot for flannel and tobacco causes cancer. Your vision is all wrong.”

“Wanna paint me a picture?”

“No,” I say. “I’ll call you tonight.”

“Fine. Bye.”

“Bye.” Shoving the phone in my pocket, I walk up to the truck. He puts his phone on the console.

“So, dinner?” he asks again.

My stomach flutters. There’s nothing I want more than to hop in his truck and drive back roads with him until the sun sets. But then I think of the interview today, and I know it’s not a good idea. For any of us.

“How’d Mia take seeing us kiss yesterday?” Saying the words out loud causes my thighs to clench. “Was she okay with it?”

Dane laughs. “Oh, she was okay with it. She’s told everyone she knows and now thinks we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“Really? That’s adorable.”

“I’ve tried to explain that it was a friendship kiss, but she didn’t buy it.”

“A friendship kiss, huh?” I grin. “Well, I’m glad we’ve cleared that up.”

He reaches out of the truck and almost touches me but stops a few inches short. “How did you classify it?”

“Total friendship kiss. That’s exactly what it felt like.”

Dane shakes his head. “I didn’t say that’s what it felt like.”

We laugh together. I grip the doorframe as we exchange a heated look.

“Come on. Have dinner with me,” he says. “Or go for a ride. Whatever you want to do.”

“I don’t want to confuse Mia any more, Dane. She’s so sweet, and I don’t want her to think I’m another woman coming in and leaving.”

A slow, infectious smile slides across his face. “Well, Mia isn’t here, is she?”

There’s nothing about that I can say no to.

“I haven’t been here for years.” Climbing out of Dane’s pickup, I breathe in the water-infused air.

Dogwood Lake sits right below us. From our vantage point on the bluff, we can see the changes in blues as the depths vary. A few boats remain as the sun begins to set against the prettiest backdrop of tall pines and rippling water. Purples and pinks streak across the sky as a farewell to the day.

“I bring Mia up here sometimes,” Dane says. He joins me at the front of the truck. “She likes to bring a little portable grill and have picnics. It’s fun.”

“It sounds fun.”