Page 29 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“How is it?” he asked after a few minutes.

“Good.” Her eyes darted upward, raked over his broad shoulders, then dropped back to the plate. Man, he was hot. And this moment felt so…weighted. Domestic.

Something she wanted and could get used to.

She’d known she was lonely, but this…this was really stirring it up. Normally, she would be tired out after spending so much time with someone she didn’t know very well, but Leo was different. She felt like she could spend eons with him and never need her own quiet space to think and recharge.

“How many stars?”

“Oh. Um. The meal? Four and a half.”

“Nuts. I was hoping for a perfect five.”

“I prefer rye toast.”

“Really?”

She shook her head. “I actually like cinnamon-raisin best.”

“Hey, I made coffee and tea. Want some?”

“There’s both?”

“Yeah. I didn’t know what you preferred in the morning.”

She got up and poured herself coffee, then sat again. Deliberately swallowing her shyness, she teased, “Look at you, working those wooing tricks. Be careful or you’ll have me stalking you, lurking around and expecting all this special treatment.”

He laughed. “Get used to it. You’re my practice girlfriend.”

She coughed in surprise. “Your what?”

“You know, to practice all those things you taught me last night. Compliments, gifts, doing nice things for you and such.”

Right. She’d told him to do that.

WithChristine.

He spoke his next words carefully. “We’re still helping each other, right?”

Her shoulders drooped. She wasn’t sure she could handle a man like Leo turning all his charm on her without feeling it was genuine and truly meant for her. She already had enough issues, seeing what wasn’t there between her and nice guys, without having a hottie like him pouring it on thick.

“We don’t have to,” he said quickly.

“No. No. It’s fine.” Violet rested her elbows onthe tabletop, her chin on a fist. She needed to figure this out. She wanted to help Leo. And honestly, the sooner she got him married off, the sooner she could outgrow this somewhat inappropriate crush on her friend and head off to meet Mr. Right. “I’m just tired.”

“Oh man, me, too. I hope I don’t crash during tonight’s game. I haven’t stayed up talking like that in…well, ever.” He pushed a hand through his hair and his eyes met hers. “There’s something about you where I pour it all out, you know? You’re safe.”

“Thanks.” She felt heat spreading across her cheeks and her jaw locking up on her.

“And it was nice having company. If you ever want to stay here instead of traveling home after a game, just say the word.”

She shook her head.

“No, the offer’s genuine.”

She gave him a sly smile, forcing back her shyness. “I couldn’t, because I’d soon be cramping your style.”

He laughed, lifting his glass of water to her coffee cup in a toast. “We can only hope.”

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