Page 40 of Double Booked

Further up the trail, she spotted three turtles sunning themselves on a log at the water’s edge. She attempted to get closer, but must have made too much noise, and the turtles tumbled into the water.

Meandering on, she breathed deeply, enjoying the warm sun on her back. She’d gone halfway around the lake when she froze in her tracks. Cole was just up ahead with his back to her. He was crouched down, taking pictures of the lake through some reeds. She watched him for a while, noticing how focused he was while trying to capture the perfect shot.

The wind picked up and ruffled his artfully messy hair. Today, he was wearing a black, long-sleeved T-shirt with the sleeves pushed up and khaki cargo pants. On a nearby bench, she spotted his backpack and water bottle. She wondered how long he’d been here and if he’d planned to stay away all day.

She was so lost in thought that it took a moment to register that he’d stood up and was facing her. His expression was a mix of surprise and discomfort, which reflected her feelings too. She should have turned around when she’d first spotted him, but it was too late now. She slowly moved forward, her shoes feeling like bricks.

He tracked her movements until she stopped just out of arm’s reach. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said.

“I felt like getting out. I didn’t know you worked on the weekend.”

“I don’t always, but I wanted to take some photos before it rains.”

The park was vast, and he could have gone anywhere, yet they’d chosen the same spot. Coincidence?

“When we were here yesterday, I didn’t take any pictures, remember?”

How could she forget? Everything about yesterday was etched in her brain. “I’ll let you get back to work, then.” She started to move away, but he stopped her.

“Wait. Why don’t we sit down for a minute?”

She’d been dreading this moment, but since she was here, she might as well get it over with. She sat on one edge of the bench, and he the other. Though the bench wasn’t that long, there might as well have been a wall between them. She shoved her hands in her jacket pockets, unsure what else to do with them.

He sat sideways and gazed at her for a long moment. Finally, he spoke. “About last night.”

“Sounds like a movie title,” she said.

He chuckled. “I think it is.”

“We really don’t need to do this.”

“I think we do.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to know why I left last night,” he stated.

She sucked in a breath and gazed out at the lake, wishing she could climb into a boat and sail off.

“It wasn’t because I didn’t want to be there,” he continued. “It was because I thought you might regret it later, and we still have to live together for a while.”

She turned and faced him. “Why do you think I would have regretted it?”

“I’m not convinced you’re over your ex.”

It was just as Hope thought, and suddenly her discomfort turned into anger. “How can you presume to know me so well after such a short time?”

He sighed. “You’re pretty easy to read, Eden. Besides, we’ve talked enough for me to get a feel for things.”

She shook her head. “You don’t know everything about me.”

“You’re right, I don’t, but I’d like to learn more.”

His admission caught her off guard.

“I thought we were becoming friends, and I’m afraid that anything else will complicate things,” he added.

How could she argue with that? He was being logical, while she was leading with her emotions as usual.