Ignoring the laughter following behind her, Johanna headed for the bakery door. But before she reached it, Debra’s voice stopped her.
“Johanna.”
She turned.
Debra smiled gently while boxing up cupcakes behind the counter.
“For what it’s worth…”
Johanna waited.
“It’s never too late.”
The words landed softly. Dangerously.
Johanna forced a laugh she didn’t feel. “My feelings for him died a long time ago.” But even she heard the lie in her voice.
Outside, sunlight spilled across Main Street while the oceanbreeze lifted her curls again.
She walked toward her vehicle trying to ignore the strange ache blooming beneath her ribs.
Trying not to think about Blaze’s smile… his voice, or his eyes that found her across that crowded auction room.
Trying not to remember how it once felt to be loved by him.
Her phone buzzed again. This time from an unknown number. Johanna frowned. Then read the text message.
One meal. That’s all I’m asking ~ Blaze
Johanna stopped walking.
For the first time since the auction ended, she realized the real danger had never been standing in that ballroom while her friends bid on Blaze.
The real danger was Blaze Carter asking for another chance.
Because a part of her still wanted to say yes.
Chapter2
The second Braxton “Blaze” Carter walked into Sheraton Beach Fire Station 3 on Monday morning, the room went silent.
Not because anybody respected his peace. Quite the opposite. Those vultures were getting ready to feast.
Blaze barely made it three steps inside before Michael Reed slapped the countertop hard enough to rattle the coffee pot.
Over the past four months, Michael and Ryan had become the closest thing Blaze had to brothers. Unfortunately, that also meant they considered his personal life community property.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up.”
The kitchen erupted.
Laughter bounced off the concrete floors while somebody in the back actually started clapping.
Blaze sighed and dropped his duffel bag beside the lockers.
“Y’all are entirely too invested in my personal business.”
“Correction,” Ryan Young called from the refrigerator. “The whole damn town is invested in your personal business.”
