But what would she do?
Probably pull away.
Yep, definitely pull away.
Especially when she seemed intent on returning home.
“What?” she whispered.
“Hmm?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Her smile spread wider.
“I’m not looking at you like anything.”
She laughed then gave him a playful shove. “Yes, you were.”
He stumbled back a step, his skates catching on the rubber flooring that had been installed near the pond. Chuckling, he shook his head. “How about we get some hot chocolate? An ice skating outing is never complete without hot cocoa with marshmallows.”
Kat continued grinning, her eyes shining brighter. “That sounds perfect.” She stepped toward him and linked her arm through his. “Lead the way.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
It had beena couple weeks since Kat had gone ice skating with Leo. And since that night, Leo had taken her on several more dates. They’d started spending most of their free time with each other.
And Kat couldn’t complain.
Being with Leo? There was nothing she would rather do.
“It’s really laughable,” Kat grinned as she met Jane’s eyes over her coffee mug.
“I don’t know. Seems to me like it was bound to happen.” Jane snickered when she caught sight of Kat’s surprised expression. “Think about it, Kat. The two of you spend so much time together. You were bound to become friends.”
At that, Kat nearly choked. They’d kept their relationship a secret for the most part. Only Sonya knew about how close they’d gotten. Jane might have some suspicions seeing as she was overseeing the therapy center charity. It was her baby and there was no way she wouldn’t be paying attention to the people involved in her project.
If Kat were in her place, she would know everything going on between her employees.
Granted, Kat was a partner of sorts. And Leo was simply a liaison to Sagebrush Ranch, but still. Kat knew that a budding romance between people who worked for her could get messy. That was what HR was for.
“Earth to Kat,” Jane sang.
Kat jumped, her eyes focusing on Jane. “What?”
“Where did you go?” Jane laughed. “I lost you there for a moment.”
Smiling, praying that she could keep her blush in check, Kat shrugged. “Just thinking. Sorry. I’m a little distracted.” By a certain cowboy.
Jane tilted her head, her eyes shining. “You and Leo have been getting pretty close. Are you sure it’s nothing more than friendship?”
“Of course,” Kat chirped a little too quickly. “You know me. I don’t belong in a place like this. Rocky Ridge is great—wonderful—but it’s not the city. Life runs too slow out here.”
The woman before her hummed thoughtfully. “I suppose so. But to be honest, I like the slow. It’s… peaceful.”
She wasn’t wrong. Kat knew that better than anyone. But the problem was, she thrived on the hustle and bustle of her job in the city. She needed the excitement.
Jane’s voice tugged her from her thoughts once again. “Honestly, I could see you here.”
“What?” Kat laughed. “You’re joking.”
