Page 6 of My Secret Valentine

“No promises,” Lainey says with a grin that makes my stomach flip. “But I'll start with a funny one.”

She launches into a story about a ghost who's afraid of humans, complete with voices and dramatic gestures that have Maddie giggling. The storm rages outside, but in here, in this ridiculous blanket fort lit by candlelight, everything feels safe. Warm.

Dangerous.

Maddie falls asleep eventually, curled up between us like a cat. The candles have burned lower, casting everything in soft shadows. Lainey's voice has dropped to a whisper as she finishes her latest story.

“You're good at this,” I say quietly.

“What, ghost stories?”

“All of it. Making things feel normal.”

She's quiet for a moment, and I wonder if I've said too much. “Normal is underrated,” she finally replies. “After my grandmother died, all I wanted was normal. Instead, I ran away to see the world.”

“Did it help?”

“Maybe. Or maybe I just needed to leave to realize what I was looking for was here all along.”

She looks down at Maddie, smoothing a strand of hair from her face with a gentleness that makes my chest ache. It’s only been a few days and the bond between Maddie and Lainey seems to get stronger every day. I’m thankful for that, though it’s a little difficult to admit.

A particularly strong gust rattles the windows, making us both jump. Maddie stirs but doesn't wake.

“I should get her to bed,” I say, though I make no move to get up.

“Probably.” Lainey shifts slightly, her arm brushing against mine in the close quarters. The contact sends electricity through my skin, even through layers of clothing.

The moment stretches, heavy with things we can't say. Shouldn't say. The candlelight catches the gold flecks in her eyes, and I find myself wondering if her lips are as soft as they look.

A sharp knock at the front door shatters the moment.

“Steve?” a familiar voice calls. “You here?”

My in-laws. Of course they'd choose tonight to check on us.

Lainey scrambles backward out of the fort so quickly she nearly knocks over a candle. I catch it just in time, watching as she gathers herself, straightening clothes that aren't actually rumpled.

“I'll get Maddie to bed,” she whispers, already lifting my sleeping daughter. The loss of her warmth is immediate and jarring.

Another knock, more insistent this time.

“Coming,” I call softly, untangling myself from the blankets. But as I head for the door, I can't shake the feeling that I'm about to face an inquisition and I can’t imagine what I’ll say. No way I can answer questions when I’m not sure what would have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted.

CHAPTER FIVE

Lainey

The silverware clinks against my mother's best china as we eat in uncomfortable silence. She's made pot roast, my favorite, which means she's about to say something I won't like.

“There's an opening at the library,” she announces, right on cue. “Full-time hours, with benefits. Sarah mentioned they're looking for someone with a literature degree.”

I push a carrot around my plate. “I have a job.”

“A temporary job.” She sets down her fork with precise movements. “Lainey, you're living in someone else's house, eating someone else's food.”

“Helen,” Dad warns, but she continues.

“You could be doing so much more. Teaching, maybe. Something with a future. At least a job at the library would be a strong step toward a career.”

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