He almost laughed out loud at himself.You’re being paranoid.
“Hallie! Hallie!” Penelope tugged on the hem of the woman’s hoodie.
“Hey, sweet girl.” The way Hallie smiled down on her bathed Christian’s chest in a pool of delicious warmth. Like a hot tub on a cool evening.
Stop it. You just said you were ending this.Pulling his eyes away from their interaction, he checked to make sure he still had Isla in his view. She’d exited the slide and was heading their way.
When he turned back to Penelope, she’d slipped her small hand into Hallie’s, dragging the woman over to him. “You have cookies today?”
“Nellie …” Christian began.
“No, sorry,” Hallie said with a light laugh. “I don’t have any treats today. But maybe the next time I make cookies I’ll drop some off for you. How does that sound? Hi, Isla.”
Isla gave her a silent wave—not a glowing hello, but a far cry better than previous greetings.
It seemed like forever before Hallie finally acknowledged him. And when she did, her friendly expression turned to uncertainty. Had she thought about the other night as much as he had?
She dropped Penelope’s hand, clasping both of hers in front of herself. “We keep running into each other, don’t we?”
He nodded. Too much. And yet, not enough.
“Is your business stressing you out?” Wow, what a conversation starter.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re out walking again.” He swallowed his concern. He couldn’t end this ill-conceived crush if he kept inserting himself into her troubles.It’s not your responsibility to fix them.Then why did he want to so badly?
Hallie tilted her head to one shoulder, considering him. “Something like that.”
By the way she said it, he deducted that whatever was on her mind had more to do than just her business. But it wasn’t his place to press the issue.
“I like walking over here,” she continued, bouncing on the balls of her running shoes. “There’s an empty storefront across the street.”
Christian nodded. Like a dumb bobblehead. “I’ve seen it.”
“I come down here a lot to think about how great it’ll be when I finally get my bakery. I’m manifesting my goals, I guess.” She gave a shaky laugh. “I know, that sounds silly, but it actually helps.”
“Whatever keeps the dream alive.” At least she had the opportunity to dream, which was more than he could say about himself.
“Wouldn’t that storefront be a perfect location? Think of all the families stopping by on their way to and from the park. I don’t think Buena Hills has ever had its own bakery.” Hallie squinted up at him. “You grew up here. Is that true?”
Christian shrugged a shoulder. “As far as I know. My mom would be a better judge though. She remembers further back than I can.”
“It doesn’t really matter, I guess.” She sighed, the sound full of longing. “This place will be long gone by the time I come up with the funds to put down a deposit.”
“Sounds like you need an investor. Or a partner.”
She made a noise that was half desperate laugh, half groan. “Where do I find either of those? You don’t have any rich friends hiding in the woodwork, do you?”
The corner of his mouth turned up at her attempted levity. “Sorry.”
He didn’t miss the sagging of her posture as she stared in the direction of the empty storefront, not visible through the trees.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Her discouragement tugged at his heart, providing more than a little discomfort. It wasn’t his responsibility to be her cheerleader, and yet he hated seeing her so down. “Wherever you end up, it’ll be perfect. Don’t give up.”
Hallie startled a little and looked down at the space between them. Christian did too, confused to find her fingers resting in his. When did he reach for her?
Her eyes traveled slowly to his face again, their light blue depths full of questions. “I’m not.”
