“Do I still scare you?”
Her gaze flickered to his mouth. Her lips looked swollen, her features flushed, and he ached to taste her again.
“For very different reasons,” she murmured, then immediately looked as if she regretted saying anything.
“I need to go. Today was fun. I’m glad we bumped into you, even if I am afraid my mom might have orchestrated the whole thing.”
“Seriously?”
“Don’t you think it’s a coincidence that she suggested hiking to Hidden Beach to both of us separately?”
“Why would she do that?”
“My mom wants me and Olive to stay in Wood Briar. I suspect she wants to push the two of us together in hopes that if you and I... start something together, I would have more incentive to stick around.”
If only he had that kind of power over her decisions.
“Your mom’s pretty crafty. But I’m glad we ran into each other, too, regardless of how it happened.”
Emma nodded, her eyes meeting his briefly before she turned to her car. Bryce watched as she carefully checked on Emma then settled into the driver's seat.
Unable to resist, he leaned in before she could close the door and kissed her on the forehead.
“Drive safe.”
She nodded, closed her door then started her engine.
Bryce stood rooted to the spot as her car pulled away, watching until it disappeared around the bend. The weight of his feelings pressed heavily on his chest.
He wished things could be different, but he knew he had to respect her boundaries.
As the sound of Emma’s car faded into the distance, Brycelet out a long sigh. He turned to walk back to his own vehicle, his mind replaying the kiss they had shared and wondering if there would ever be a chance for more.
Despite the ache in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope. For now, it would have to be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Rosie
Rosie stood in the large kitchen of Stormhaven, looking around in wonder.
“Oh, Kyle, this cabinetry is amazing. Thank you so much for putting a rush job on it as soon as everything finally came in.”
Kyle Porter, one of her favorite local contractors, nodded. “Happy to do it for you, Rosie. I’m sorry it took us so long to make it work with the supply chain disruption and our busy schedule.”
“The results are worth the wait,” she said. “It all looks fantastic. I knew it would be. You do such great work.”
“You’re making good headway here. Won’t be long, maybe another few weeks, and this old place might be livable again.”
“I hope so,” she said. “I know Mr. Morgan and his children are eager to move in.”
Kyle shook his head. “I still can’t believe I’m installing cabinets in a house for Andrew Morgan, the creator of my kids’ favorite movie.”
“Your kids are into The Starbound Chronicles?”
“They’re crazy about the whole series. We’ve seen the movie a dozen times, and my kids are always playing the video game. I’ll admit, I’ve even played it myself a time or two. We’re excited to see the second installment. It will be even more fun now that Mr. Morgan lives here in town. I wonder if the movie theater will host any special screenings.”
“That’s a good idea. Maybe someone should mention it to Harriet Bell, though I’m guessing someone already has.”
