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“She told me about your accident last night,” Clint added, his expression turning serious. “That must’ve been quite a scare.”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
His eyes widened.
“I mean, not nothing. Just…” She shifted her feet, her face hot.Why can’t I talk?“It was a shock, yes, but I’m fine. Just making some coffee, actually, before I get back to work.”
He leaned against the pillar at the top of the porch stoop. “Getting driven off a bridge into the Green River doesn’t warrant a day off?”
“I have a deadline. Really, I’m fine. I’ve been resting all day.” Thanks to Laurie.
“Okay, cool.”
He flashed her a devastatingly effortless smile that left her unsteady, as though the floor beneath her had turned to air.
“Well.” He stood straight. “Just let me know if you need anything.”
“You want some coffee?” she heard herself ask when he started down the porch steps.
He turned. “Sure, that sounds great.”
She held the door open for him as he stepped inside, hoping he couldn’t hear the flutter of her heart. She glanced upstairs at her office while he took off his shoes. She really did need to get to work, but it was already four. What was one cup of coffee going to hurt now?
Chapter 26
HOLLY
“Cream or sugar?” Holly asked.
Clint, standing on the other side of the kitchen island, shook his head. “No, thanks.”
Holly handed him a mug of freshly brewed coffee before pouring creamer into her own. “Want to sit in the living room?”
“Sure.” He followed her through to the front of the house.
Holly moved the blanket to the side of the couch and took a seat. Instead of opting for the armchair, Clint settled in beside her. He turned toward her with a look of concern in his eyes.
“Do the police know who ran you off the bridge last night?”
Holly imagined Jared’s face, twisted in rage behind the wheel as he rammed his car into hers. She shook her head. “Not yet.”
He put a hand on her knee. “Sorry, we don’t have to talk about it.”
His palm felt warm through her jeans. She met his gaze, and he pulled it away.
“I won’t stay long,” he said, lifting the mug to his lips. After taking a sip, he added, “I know you’ve got work to do, and myson is getting a ride home soon from baseball practice. I told him I’d be home when he got back.”
She hadn’t realized he had a son. Laurie hadn’t mentioned it, and she hadn’t seen anyone other than Clint at his house. Although, she’d been living next door for only a few days. He’d probably been at school. Or even at his mom’s house. “How old is he?”
Clint sighed. “Fifteen. Going on twenty-one.”
“I have a nephew close to that age. Well, sort of. He’s eleven.”
“Ah.” Clint shifted in his seat to face her. “So, you’ll know soon how teenage boys can be. It’s a handful.”
Holly opened her mouth to say she’d never met him but thought twice, knowing it would lead to her sharing what was probably too much information for a first date.That’s not what this. He’s only here because Laurie asked him to come.
“What’s your son like?” she asked before taking a drink from her coffee.