Page 47 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“And what’s so wrong with that?” I counter, my heart racing for reasons that have nothing to do with the conversation.

“Nothing, if you’re content with where you are.” He pauses and looks at me. “But I don’t think you are.”

His words hang in the air between us, charged with a tension that makes my pulse quicken. I can feel the intensity in his stare, the challenge he’s presenting.

And damn it, he’s not entirely wrong. There’s a part of me that’s been itching for something more, something bigger. But the other part...the part that’s scared of change, of stepping out of my comfort zone, holds me back.

“I’m content,” I say, but even I can hear the uncertainty in my voice.

He doesn’t push, but I can see the knowing look in his eyes. “If you ever decide you want more, you know where to find me.”

Are we talking about websites, advice, ormoremore?

Finally, I break eye contact, needing to put some distance between us before I lose my cool.

“Well, thanks for the unsolicited help, as always.”

“Anytime.”

I don’t know what to do with myself, so I busy my hands with a jar of freshly made peanut butter fudge sitting on the counter.

It’s a customer favorite, and I’ve caught Logan eyeing it more than once. Maybe it’s a peace offering, or maybe I just need to break this tension somehow.

“Here,” I say, thrusting the jar toward him. “I saw you looking at it. Consider it a thank-you.”

He takes the jar, his fingers brushing mine in a way that sends a jolt of electricity up my arm. “Thank you, Serena.”

I swallow hard, nodding because I don’t trust myself to speak. He’s still holding my gaze, his expression unreadable, but there’s something in his eyes, a heat, a promise, that makes my stomach flip.

He steps back, breaking the spell, and my lungs finally start working again.

“I should get going.”

“Yeah, me too,” I reply, my voice a little breathless.

“Are you headed home then?”

I nod, not making eye contact with him.

“I can have Dante drive you. Maybe we can catch dinner or something.”

“I…I’m not going to go to dinner with you when you ask five seconds prior,” I sigh. “Besides, I have to do my financials right now. Since I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay in this space, I really need to figure out what my exit strategy is.”

“The offer is still on the table to help with your books.”

“I hate math, and if we’re going to do this, I need wine.”

“I happen to have a bottle that needs opening at my house. Is everything you need here in the store.”

“It’s all on my laptop and…” I point to the dented cover with duct tape secured around the edges.

“Of course,” he frowns at the laptop. “Dante will drive us to my house, and he can take you home when we’re finished.”

I look him up and down carefully. I know he only wants to help, and I have a hard time accepting his knight-in-shining armor routine, but…all I can think about is him kissing me again.

“Let me grab the rest of my stuff and lock up.”

This might be trouble.

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