A few hours later, I’d completely calmed down, and finished the rough cut of the table.

I was hot, sweaty, and felt like a total jackass.

I’d always been hot-headed. My dad was the same way … quick to anger, but also quick to cool down.

Now that I’d had some time to reflect and relax, I realized I not only overreacted, but that I’d been the culprit of my first fight with Serena. When I flashed back to the look on her face when I’d accused her, then hadn’t believed her denial, I wanted to go back in time and knee myself in the nuts.

With a heavy sigh, I walked out into the cool night and looked over at Serena’s house. It was two in the morning, but I saw a flicker of light in her bedroom window, and knew she was most likely either on her tablet, or watching TV.

I walked back inside my workshop and grabbed my phone, then swallowed my pride and punched in her number.

I worried that she might see it was me and not pick up, but a couple rings later, I heard the phone click.

“Hello?” Serena said, her voice sleepy.

I knew she needed rest and felt bad for bothering her so late, but I didn’t want to go to bed without her knowing how sorry I was.

“I’m sorry,” I began, my gaze still up on her window. “I was a giant ass. I should have listened to you when you said you had nothing to do with Kylie’s bet. I got angry and couldn’t see past it to acknowledge what I know about you, which is that you’re sweet, smart, kind, and beautiful, inside and out. I’m sorry I flew off the handle and left like that.”

There was a few beats of silence, and I worried that Serena had hung up without hearing my apology, but then I heard her clear her throat.

“I appreciate you calling and saying that. I was upset over my confrontation with Kylie, and then your response…” she sighed. “I know we’re still getting to know each other, but I’m totally falling for you, and you not believing me … not believing in me … really hurt.”

My stomach clenched at her admission.

“I’m falling for you too, Serena. All I can say is that I’m sorry, and I promise not to react that way again. Can I come up?” I asked, my eyes still locked on her window.

“No,” she replied softly, and my heart plummeted. “I’m going to go away for a girls weekend to relax, and to think about what I want.”

“What you want?” I asked, those words making my blood run cold. “You mean with me, like whether or not you still want to see me?”

“Yes.”

“Serena…”

“Look, Jed, I just need some time to think … about how I feel, about how you made me feel, and what I want moving forward. I think we just need a little break to figure those things out and decide if we’re a good fit. Thanks for calling though, good night.”

Before I could form a rebuttal, she’d hung up.

I looked down at my phone, then back up at her window, before swearing softly and turning to go lock up my workshop.

I didn’t get a lot of sleep that night. I tossed and turned, going over everything that had happened at the gallery, then everything she’d said on the phone. I really wanted to go over to her house and force her to speak to me in person, but I knew I wouldn’t do myself any favors by doing so.

She wanted space, time to think, and I needed to give it to her.

So, when Gabe and Dillon showed up at my house the next morning, I greeted them with a scowl as I sat on my front porch pouring coffee down my throat.

“If you’re here to fight, I’m gonna need to finish my coffee first,” I told them as they approached, figuring they were there to make good on their promise to defend their cousin’s honor.

“Nah, we’re not here for that,” Gabe said as he leaned against a post. “Serena said you two just had a misunderstanding, so you’re allowed to live … for now. If that changes, we’ll let you know.”

“Thanks,” I said wryly as I stood.

She’d said it was a misunderstanding, and if they aren’t here to kick my ass, that must mean there’s still a chance for us, I thought.

“Yeah, we’re here to take you on a fishing trip,” Dillon said. “Since the ladies are going to the spa, we thought we’d take the opportunity to drink beer, fish, and sleep under the stars. What do you say?”

“Sounds great,” I replied, thinking an escape was just what I needed. “Just the three of us?”

“Yeah, Zoey is going with Jasmine, Laurel, and Serena, so Evie is with my parents. Reardon is staying with Chloe and the baby, he’s not ready to leave them yet, which I totally get, and Shane has to work. So, just the three of us,” Gabe informed me.

“Cool, let me just grab my stuff and I’ll be ready. You can come wait inside,” I said, but they walked up onto the porch and settled into the chairs.

“This is good,” Dillon replied, and I left them to go grab my fishing gear, a change of clothes, and my sleeping bag.

Maybe a break would do both Serena and me some good.