She needed sleep.
She had never been prone to conspiracy theories, but her conversation with the mayor had rattled her.
When the last of her staff had left, Hilary locked up and headed for the car. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t been home in over twenty-four hours. It was also weird that she hadn’t heard from Ben. He must be pissed about the flowers and ignoring him at last night’s kickoff.
She didn’t have the energy to make amends. She wanted a glass of wine, a hot bath, and her bed. But she knew she would have to face her husband and their problems when she got home.
TWENTY-THREE
MARISSA
Marissa hoped that William was right about the brewery. The cold mist from the partially frozen river brushed her face as they traipsed a treacherously icy sidewalk leading down the rocky hillside.
William stayed a couple of steps ahead of her, keeping his hand on hers so she wouldn’t bite it and fall.
It was a sweet gesture. She found herself wanting to trust him.
“So tell me more about the cheese business,” he said, watching his footing while maintaining a firm grip on her.
“What do you want to know?”
“Why cheese?”
“It’s not just cheese,” Marissa corrected him. “It’s the experience of food. I love arranging platters because it perfectly balances art and nourishment. It’s really about speaking to customers’ souls. Food is a love language. There are so many layers that go into arranging. It’s the symphony of flavors and how they pair and complement each other. You know the saying ‘we eat with our eyes’?” She could feel herself starting to gush. This always happened when she talked about food.
William nodded, listening carefully.
“That’s what I love,” she continued. “It’s always something new. It’s never boring, and to be completely honest, it feels good to make other people feel good.”
“I get that.” He sounded almost wistful. “That’s how I feel about teaching.”
“Yeah, tell me about teaching.” She genuinely wanted to know how he had ended up in a classroom instead of a boardroom. “I’m surprised that you’re not in the family business. It seems more lucrative than education.” Marissa squeezed his hand tighter as she navigated a slippery patch of ice.
“Yeah, that’s what my dad thinks, too.” His tone shifted, the edge of something heavier starting to slip in. “Money’s not everything. Commercial real estate ishispassion. That’s his dream. Not mine.”
“Really?” Marissa’s brows lifted. “Is he not okay with you teaching?”
William reached out, steadying her forearm with a light touch. “It’s complicated. Families, you know?”
“Yeah, I do. I worked in the corporate world before I started Yes, Cheese.” Marissa couldn’t believe she was opening up to him, and at the same time, she didn’t want to stop. He was surprisingly easy to talk to, and they had much more in common than she ever would have imagined. “The money was way better and I had great benefits, but I realized it wasn’t the right match for me. I didn’t love the work, and if I stayed, I was going to end up there forever. That’s why I took a risk and started Yes, Cheese. It’s not exactly like arranging charcuterie boards is everyone’s dream profession, but it makes me happy.”
“You could argue that being happy is the only goal. If you do something you love, you spread joy and pave the way for others to realize their dreams.” William moved his hand around herwaist as they got to a set of stairs that were precariously coated in an inch of ice. “Careful. Watch your step here.”
“I never thought of being happy like that,” Marissa admitted, taking tiny steps as she shuffled downward; his hand anchored her, almost searing, and part of her didn’t want him to ever let go.
“Happinessisthe dream, right? I think sticking it out at a job you hate damages you and everyone around you. I applaud you for recognizing that and following your dream.”
Marissa studied his face for any hint of sarcasm, but William’s eyes were sincere. Had she completely misread him?
“Careful.” He grabbed her as her foot missed the last step.
She launched forward, stumbling straight into his arms. He caught her with one firm grasp, steadying her body against his chest. He smelled like the forest, cinnamon, and hops. His breath was on her neck. She couldn’t swallow. It was like her airway had shrunk. For a minute, she thought they might kiss.
There was no denying the chemistry between them. It crackled like the ice beneath their feet, but Marissa forced herself to refocus. There was still a hunt to win.
“Thanks. Good save.” She pulled away and breathed the frosty air in through her nose.
“We can’t have our Snow Princess breaking a leg.” William winked, the tension easing a touch.
