“I did help make the mess,” Holly replied.
“You also made one little girl very happy,” he replied as he quickly put the cake decorating supplies away.
“I enjoy helping her,” Holly said as she wiped down the counter. “It’s fun. And I get to do things I never got a chance to do as a kid.”
“That’s one of the things I enjoy most,” Daniel said. “Seeing and experiencing the world through their eyes.”
When the kitchen was clean, Daniel picked up the wine bottle and said, “More wine.”
“Yes, please.” She watched as he filled two glasses and handed her one, his eyes finding hers. “Thank you for dinner. It was... really nice.”
“It was just pasta,” Holly repeated, but the words sounded hollow even to her own ears.
“It wasn’t just pasta.” Daniel took a step toward her. “It was you taking care of us. That means a lot to me.”
Holly’s breath stuttered in her lungs. No one had ever looked at her that way after such a simple act of care. As if she’d given something precious rather than just assembled ingredients in a pan.
Daniel stood close now, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his amber eyes, could feel the warmth radiating from him. Their bodies swayed unconsciously closer, drawn together by something Holly couldn’t name but could feel pulling at her core. This was more than attraction, though that was certainly part of it. This was recognition. Connection. Belonging.
She felt the tug of something deeper, something she shouldn’t want, not when her own heart was still bruised and her future uncertain. Not when she hadn’t even begun to untangle the mess she’d left behind.
“Daniel,” she whispered, unsure if she was stopping him or encouraging him.
“Dad! Holly!” Teddy’s voice called from the living room. “The movie’s ready!”
Holly stepped back first, breaking whatever spell had been weaving itself around them. “We should...”
“Yeah,” Daniel agreed, his voice slightly rough. He cleared his throat and handed her a glass of wine. “Can’t keep the movie critic waiting.”
As they moved toward the living room, Holly felt the ghost of what might have happened if Teddy hadn’t called. Anotheralmost-kiss. Another moment of connection she couldn’t afford to indulge.
She had to draw the line somewhere. Had to stop blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Between borrowed time and real life.
Because no matter how right it felt to cook in Daniel’s kitchen, to sit at his table, to almost-kiss him in the warm glow of evening—this wasn’t her life to claim.
Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Chapter Fifteen – Daniel
Daniel woke in a state of contentment. He snuggled down under the covers, wanting to linger, to live a little longer with that feeling before the day started. Last night’s movie night replayed in his mind. Holly nestled between the kids on the sofa, Teddy’s sleepy head eventually drooping against her shoulder, the way she’d caught Daniel’s eye over the children’s heads with a smile that was just for him.
It had been the perfect end to the perfect day.
And hopefully today would be perfect too.
So, he’d better get started. He didn’t want to miss a single moment of being with Holly. Maybe he should bake something extra special for breakfast this morning. Something irresistible. So that she might find him irresistible, too.
His bear chuckled and rested his head on his paws.You’ve got it bad.
Oh, I do,Daniel agreed.
But when his phone pinged with a message, he knew it was all about to change. That his perfect day had ended before it had even begun.
With a groan, he reached for his phone on the nightstand and tapped the screen.
There it was…
Carl called in sick. Flu. Delivery truck broke down. Supply order delayed. Need you here NOW.
