Page 71 of The Heart of Winter

Somehow, I had to put the brakes on this. But I didn’t know if I could, because whatever was happening between me and Sariel had a momentum of its own now. A velocity—wild, accelerating.

Dazed, I stared at a shelf of Italian pasta, trying to pick something out while my thoughts scattered like drunk sheep on a slippery hillside.

And then, just like that, that mint-haired hero of my broodings appeared.

Sariel turned the corner so abruptly we nearly collided.

"Oh! Pardon me!" he exclaimed.

What the… I narrowed my eyes. No way this was a coincidence. Either I was going insane, or the universe had it out for me.

His expression—surprised, innocent, was just a little too perfect. Like he’d rehearsed it.

"What are you doing here?" It sounded icy, but Jacob’s voice still echoed in my head, and the last thing I needed was to test my boss’s limits.

"Me?" Sariel blinked, feigning cluelessness. "Just grabbing some toner. A set of ink cartridges."

I stared. Just stared, waiting expectantly. He cleared his throat and gave me that sheepish little smile.

"This aisle’s mostly pasta and grains," I said slowly, emphasizing the last two words.

"Yeah, but you have to go through here to get to the office supplies."

Obviously, that had to be said out loud. Cleared up, once and for all. Maybe this was a good opportunity? I closed my eyes, took a breath, and let it out.

"Sariel, I spoke to your father today. He asked how you’re doing. I told him you’ve been behaving professionally, and he was glad to hear it. He wants things to stay that way. So please… just go."

His eyes locked on mine. "Did you tell him about… us?"

"There is no us."

"There is," he said quietly. "You’re just scared to admit it."

I huffed, forcing myself to keep it together.

"Sariel… Fine. Maybe there’s some… tension. But you and I both know this can’t happen. It can’t. Don’t you get that?"

"I bet it will."

Oh, hell no. This kid was playing with fire. My cool was leaving me slowly.

"Your father would destroy me, Sariel."

He tilted his head. "So you didn’t tell him. Because it’s still ‘would’. Good to know."

I let out a bitter half-laugh. "I didn’t tell him because I actually want to keep my job. So do me a favor and just walk away, will you?"

His lips curled into a small pout as he murmured, "Technically, I have every right to shop wherever I want. I’m a customer, just like anyone else."

That rebellious streak, Gosh, should I hate it or love it? I sighed, exasperated.

"This is harassment."

"Oh, c’mon. Why so serious? It’s just shopping."

"Do you have to be so damn annoying?"

"What am I even doing?"

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