Chapter Two
TATE HALL
Josie’s smile was strained. For Kayla to show up the first day Josie was back in town was unfortunately awkward. I was over Kayla, but I’d had plenty of time to get used to seeing her in town. In hindsight, even though it hurt at first, it wasn’t that difficult to get over her. When she cheated on me with my now ex-best friend, it ruined two relationships instantaneously.When people show you who they really are, it’s worth paying attention.I did. A decade later, I also understood people could make huge mistakes and regret them. Kayla seemed to regret her choices back then. Especially if I counted the three times she’d tried to get back together with me since.
While I wished her well, that was a hard no. When I looked down at Josie, a childhood friend and the other side of that hurtful equation, my heart twisted a little to see the insecurity flickering in her eyes. I could practically feel Kayla’s eyes burning a hole through me when I simply cast her a bland smile. Meanwhile, Casey handed over my drink along with Josie’s.
“I’ll walk you out,” I said when Josie turned to leave.
“Great!” Josie chirped, her voice forcefully bright.
I held the door for Josie and didn’t even look back at Kayla. I released the door after another customer walked through before falling into step beside Josie.
Her glossy brown curls bounced around her shoulders as she walked. “How have you been?” I asked.
Her lips curled in a smile as she glanced up. “Good, I think.”
“What brings you back to Alaska?”
She let out a little sigh. “I want to lie and say something cute, but the truth is I’m close to broke. I actually missed Willow Brook, so I decided now was the time to come home.”
“Did you miss me too?” I teased.
Josie let out a little laugh as she stopped. “My car.” She gestured with her elbow toward a small hatchback.
“You’d better get some Alaska plates soon. You don’t want anybody to confuse you with a tourist.”
When she giggled, it felt as if all my cells fired up. I’d known Josie Steele since preschool. We’d spent tons of time together in high school because she dated my best friend and I dated hers. Back then, we were a group of four who always spent time together. Until we weren’t. But before it blew up, trust me when I tell you there had never been anyzingbetween me and Josie, not even a whisper of smoke from a distant fire burning.
The Josie in front of me now felt different. Objectively speaking, she’d always been cute, but now she was downright adorable. I had to work to keep my eyes away from her curves. She was delectable with her flashing green eyes and the smatter of freckles on her cheeks. Holy hell.
“Where are you staying?” I asked, forcing my brain to focus.
“Well, I’m trying to figure that out. My parents know I’m coming. Of course I can stay with them, but I’d like to find something else.” She let out a quick sigh.
“I have a place,” I offered before thinking it through.
“You do?” Her eyes whipped up to mine before she took a swallow of her coffee.
I tried desperately not to notice when her tongue swiped up a drop of coffee at the corner of her mouth.
I cleared my throat. “I do. Aside from being a firefighter, I rent a few properties.”
“Properties?” Her brow furrowed.
“Well, I started thinking ahead. When I’m too old to do the firefighting thing, I’d like to have enough rentals to make up for that income. For now, I rent a few small places. At the moment, there’s one I just finished renovating beside where I live. It’s yours as long as you need a place to stay.”
Josie’s eyes widened as she stared up at me. “Really?”
“Sure thing. I have to get to work, but why don’t you meet me out there this afternoon? Say around four thirty?”
“You got it! I’ll be paying rent. I already have a job,” she added.
I grinned. “I know. We’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I gotta roll.” I paused before turning to walk toward my truck. “Don’t let things be awkward with…” I thumbed over my shoulder toward the café. “Kayla’s miserable, and they’re in the middle of an ugly divorce. What comes around goes around.”
“I shouldn’t be happy about that,” she said quickly.
I shrugged. “I wouldn’t say I’m happy, but I guess life has its lessons. It’s really good to have you back in town.” I took a step closer and pulled her into another hug.