“We’re letting you guys have a day to yourselves,” the woman said.
“You are?”
“Yes. We want to give you guys a chance to connect organically. Enjoy your day together. We’ve got a busy day planned tomorrow. So take it easy.”
Hope sprouted from deep within her core. This is just what she’d been longing for. A chance to really connect with the man she’d agreed to marry.
Yet just as that hope took flight, Marsha’s pointed inquiries flooded her mind—words that made her doubt his attraction for her. Questions that caused a whole new level of fear.
She tried to gather the mess of her mind with one final thought. She and Duke would spend the entire day without the cameras that—in Kat’s mind—seemed to keep him at arm’s length. But who knew whether that was the case or not?
At least one thing was clear: Kat might not get the answer she wanted, but she was certain she’d get an answer all the same.
* * *
Zander leaned back into the patio chair and looked at Kat over the table. Scraps of bacon, eggs, and hash browns sat in the pan, the remains of their breakfast, while a pitcher of orange juice threatened to obstruct his view.
He reached forward, scooted it a few inches to the side, then leaned back once more.
Kat spooned a generous helping of jam onto the corner of toast in her grip before popping it in her mouth. “Mmm,” she moaned, dabbing her lips with a napkin.
Zander fought back a grin, liking the way she indulged in all things sweet. First at the buffet the other night, then at the gift shop, where she’d purchased a candy bar, a bag of licorice, and the jar of hazelnut spread she’d smeared over her toast this morning beneath the jam.
“What’s so funny?” Kat asked while reaching for her glass.
Zander felt caught. “Nothing. I’m just thinking…are you the type who has bags of candy stashed in her desk at work?”
She grinned. “Maybe.”
He smiled too. “That’s cute.”
“What do you have in your desk?” she countered.
“Cashews,” he said. “And a few protein bars. Some protein powder for shakes. That’s about it.”
“That’s a lot of stuff.”
Zander shrugged. “I work out during lunch quite a bit, so…”
“Hmm…” She traced a slow gaze over his chest, down the length of his arms where they rested at the table.
Heat stirred low in his belly.
“I usually hit the gym before work,” she said. “And then…I probably shouldn’t tell you this.” Her face went pink.
“You have to tell me now,” he said. “What is it?”
“If I tell you, do you promise to share a secret in return?”
At the mere question, a very important secret rushed to his mind. He cleared his throat, knowing he wouldn’t share that one just yet. “Of course.”
“On my way home from the gym most mornings—well, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—I stop and get a raspberry-filled powdered donut on the way home.”
He lifted a brow. “Oh yeah?” She nodded, her eyes fixed on him as if reading his response. “Well, at least you only do it on the off days.”
Kat’s face scrunched. “Actually…on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I get the croissants.” She bit her lip.
“So not only do you make a habit of picking up a treat on your way home from the gym each day, but you have scheduled treats for certain days?”
