Page 64 of Bennett

“Appreciated,” she said, then her expression softened as she turned toward Laurel. “You’re part of this town now. We’ve got your back.”

Laurel looked down, and for a second, Bennett saw a crack in her armor. Gratitude. Maybe even the beginning of belonging. He didn’t say anything, but he felt it. Right in his damn chest.

Brandi gave her a quick squeeze on the arm and turned for the door. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

She was gone before either of them could respond, the door clicking quietly shut behind her.

Bennett exhaled slowly and leaned back against the counter.

“So,” Laurel said, her voice dry, “how long do you think it’ll take for that to spread across town?”

He gave her a sideways glance. “Brandi was probably texting the bakery twins on her way out the door.”

Laurel groaned and dropped her head against the cabinet. “Perfect. First concrete, now gossip.”

Bennett tossed her the dish towel. “At least one of those things didn’t cause property damage.”

A small laugh slipped out of her, and damn if it didn’t hit him somewhere deep again.

Whatever the hell this thing was between them, it wasn’t going away anytime soon.

Laurel rolled the towel between her hands, the humor in her expression dimming just slightly. “So, what now?”

Bennett straightened. He was still running warm from the kiss, but her question grounded him again. “Now we double-check every camera angle, make sure the motion sensors were calibrated correctly after the new furniture arrived. Carter was waiting on a signal test.”

Laurel nodded, falling quiet. She wasn’t retreating, just absorbing. It was something he’d started to recognize in her.When she went quiet, it wasn’t because she had nothing to say, it was because she was thinking five steps ahead.

He grabbed the tablet off the counter and tapped into the security feed, thumbing through the camera views. Everything looked good so far, but unease still pressed at the back of his neck like a warning whisper.

As if summoned, a knock sounded at the door.

Matthew entered a second later, with a smirk that told him Brandi had filled him in. “Heard the cups are clean, which is good, because I could use a fresh coffee.”

A pretty blush rushed into Laurel’s face, but she didn’t shy away from Matthew’s scrutiny. Instead, she held out a mug and grinned. “For that, you get to buy and install a doorbell for me, please.”

Bennett fought a grin as warmth spread through his chest at how she’d met Matthew’s teasing with straight-up fire. That was one of the things he liked about Laurel. She never backed down, even when the spotlight hit her square in the chest.

Matthew chuckled, accepting the mug from her. “You got it. But only if I get to choose the ringtone. Something obnoxious, maybe a dramatic soap opera theme.”

Laurel played along, eyes narrowing with mock suspicion. “If it plays anything with an organ solo, I’m kicking you down the stairs.”

Bennett shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back against the counter, arms folded. “Might want to tread lightly, Matthew. She’s already got a solid throwing arm and a mean jab.”

Matthew shot him a grin. “Yeah, I saw that footage. Impressive aim for a travel-size bottle.”

Laurel let out a low laugh, the sound more relaxed than it had been in hours. “Told you I came prepared.”

Bennett’s gaze lingered on her for a beat too long, his chest tightening with a mix of admiration and something heavier he wasn’t ready to name. She wasn’t just prepared, she was quietly resilient. Smart. Steady.

And completely under his skin.

Matthew took a sip of coffee and nodded toward the window. “Carter’s got the updated camera feeds pulling now.”

Bennett nodded. “Good. Let’s keep the next surprise outside the building this time.”

Laurel raised a brow. “Preferably without any flying cement, thanks.”

That earned a chuckle from both men, and just like that, the tension loosened, if only for a moment.

---