Page 8 of My Secret Valentine

“Someone who took a chance. Left her comfort zone. Traveled the world instead of following the expected path.” He leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Someone who connects with my daughter in a way I never could, who makes this house feel like?—”

He stops abruptly, and the air between us grows thick with unspoken words.

“Like what?” My voice comes out barely above a whisper.

“Lainey...” The way he says my name makes my skin tingle. He stands, moving around the desk until he's leaning against it, close enough that I can smell his after shave. “We should be careful.”

“I know.” But I stand too, drawn forward by something stronger than common sense.

“I'm your employer.”

“I know.”

“The town's already talking.”

“I know that too.”

We're too close now, the space between us charged with possibility. His hand comes up, hesitating near my face, and I hold my breath.

“Daddy?” Maddie's voice drifts up from downstairs. “I had a bad dream.”

Steve steps back so quickly he bumps into his desk. “Coming, sweetheart!”

My heart pounds as he hurries past me. At the door, he pauses, looking back.

“We should talk about this,” he says softly.

But maybe we’d both be better off if we pretended it never happened.

CHAPTER SIX

Steve

Perfect Brews is unusually crowded for a Tuesday morning. I blame the first real snow of the season – everyone seeking warmth and caffeine before facing the day. I keep my head down as I wait in line, checking my phone, but it doesn't help.

“...living in that big house with them...”

“...saw them at the park yesterday...”

“...his in-laws must be...”

The whispers follow me like shadows. Usually, I'm better at ignoring them. Usually, they're not quite so accurate.

“The usual?” Sarah asks when I reach the counter. Her smile is knowing in a way that sets my teeth on edge.

“Please.”

While she makes my Americano, I scan the bulletin board where Lainey first saw my job posting. It's covered with new notices now – piano lessons, lost cats, church bake sales. Normal small-town life. The life I wanted when I moved here with Claire and Maddie.

“Here you go.” Sarah slides my coffee across the counter. “How's Maddie doing with her fractions?”

The question is innocent enough, but there's something in her tone that isn't. She's Lainey's friend. She must know about last night, about our almost... whatever that was.

“Fine,” I say shortly, then immediately feel guilty for my tone. “Better, actually. Lainey's been helping.”

“I bet she has.”

I leave before she can say more, the bell above the door chiming my escape. Outside, the morning sun glints off fresh snow, nearly blinding. I'm halfway to my car when a familiar voice stops me.

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