“Don’t worry about it.” June forced calm into her voice and slid her arms into her jacket. “Now go get answers about the jewelry.”
For a second, he didn’t move, and she had the oddest feeling that if either of them said one wrong thing, the whole careful balance between them would shift.
Then Holt nodded, stepped back, and got into the car.
He started the engine, gave her a small wave through the open window, and pulled away.
June stood where she was for a beat too long after the car disappeared down the street.
Then she let out a slow breath.
Her stomach felt fluttery. Her knees were still untrustworthy. Most annoyingly of all, her lips still remembered him. She had to actually stop her own hand from rising to touch them.
“This is ridiculous,” June muttered under her breath.
No good could come from dissecting that kiss.
If she let herself examine it properly, June would have to admit that her heart had jolted in a way she had no business allowing. She would have to admit she had not only remembered kissing Holt, but she had also wanted to keep doing it for one dangerous second.
No.
Absolutely not.
June squared her shoulders and started toward the flower shop.
As June stepped up to the door and was about to step through, her mind was so full that she wasn’t concentrating and bumped into someone leaving the shop. Her purse flew out of her hand and hit the floor.
“Oh, excuse me,” June said, bending automatically, without looking up.
The man stepped back at once.
“Miss June?” The polished male voice asked.
She looked up sharply.
“Alfred?” June’s brows rose in pleasant surprise.
The Morrisons’ butler smiled with his usual careful politeness. He looked older than he had when she was young, of course, but still impeccably put together. Straight-backed. Neat silver hair. Crisp shirt. Smart jacket despite the heat. Alfred had once smuggled extra cookies to her and Lucy when they visited Tom’s house as girls. He had also possessed the rare gift of making teenagers feel seen without ever prying.
“I’m so sorry,” Alfred said. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“No, Alfred, this was my fault.” June stooped to gather her purse while helping scoop up the flowers that had slipped loose. “Here you go.”
He accepted them with a grateful smile.
As he did, June’s gaze landed on his hand, and a little wave of shock zapped down her spine.
She said nothing.
“Hopefully no damage done.” A beat later, she looked back up at him, then deliberately at the bouquets instead.
“They look fine,” Alfred assured her.
June smiled politely, but her mind had already gone tight and alert.
“It was nice seeing you again, Miss June,” Alfred said.
“You too, Alfred.” June stepped aside to let him leave.
