“What?” Logan chuckled. “As in Van Butler the girl you used to hang around with, then you dicked over until she was in pieces?”
“Shut up.”
“Come on,” Logan said, his voice disbelieving. “I heard you tell Becca you weren’t interested in seeing Van again. And now you’re talking about employing her? How long have I been gone? When did the two of you reconnect?”
“It’s a small town.” Tanner shrugged. “We’re friends, that’s all.”
Logan was silent for a moment. “Friends?” he asked, as though he couldn’t quite believe it.
“What else would we be?”
“You tell me? She’s always felt like the one who got away.” There was a shrug in Logan’s voice. “There was a point I thought you’d never get over her. Or what happened. It just feels… I don’t know… weird, that you’re talking about her like you don’t have a past.”
“Maybe I grew up,” Tanner said. “We’ve bumped into each other a few times. At the diner, running… that kind of thing. And then Aunt Gina invited her to dinner this evening. We’re okay. What happened between us is water under the bridge. I think we can be friends again.” And if he wanted more? Well, they’d see what happened.
“Just be careful, man,” Logan said softly. “I remember what you were like ten years ago. The situation broke you. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.” He cleared his throat. “And she doesn’t deserve to get hurt either.”
“I won’t hurt her.” Tanner was certain of that. “We’re both adults, we know what we’re doing. And thank you. It’s good to know you’ve got my back.”
“Always.”
“You okay?” Tanner asked his brother.
“Yep. Busy as hell at work, but surviving.”
“Any women on the horizon?” he teased.
“Nope.” Logan’s voice was sure. “No time for one if there was. The women of Boston are probably sighing with relief.”
“I doubt that.” Logan was a good looking guy, or at least that’s what Tanner’s female friends told him. “But whatever gets you through the day.”
“Talking of which, I’d better go. We got a party of forty in this evening. And the wine is flowing a little too fast. You take care of yourself, bro. And don’t go breaking anybody’s heart. Especially not your own.”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” Tanner said, his voice light.
“Yeah well. We never do.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Hey,” Tanner said, his voice warm as it echoed through her cellphone. “I was wondering if you’re free for lunch today. To talk business,” he added quickly. “I thought we could meet at the diner around one.”
Damn. “I can’t make lunch. I have to take my mom for an appointment. Can we meet later?” Because she really wanted to talk to him. “Maybe four?”
“At the diner?”
“Why don’t we grab coffee and walk?” she suggested. “It’s a beautiful day.” And maybe if she was surrounded by fresh air she wouldn’t be quite so aware of him. All those gas molecules might dilute his essence.
“Sounds good to me. I’ll get the coffees and meet you in the town square. We can walk down to the creek.”
“I’d like that a lot.”
“See you at four.” His voice was soft, and it held a promise that made her heart ache.
“See you there.”
“Are you ready?” Van called out to her mom, grabbing her car keys and purse. “We have ten minutes to get there.”
Kim walked out of the bedroom in a pair of tight, bleached jeans and a navy tank, her light blonde hair tumbling over her bare shoulders. She wasn’t wearing any make up, but she looked better than she had in days. Van gave her a tentative smile, and Kim smiled back.