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She needed to catch a damn breath.

“Long day at the shop?”

He had no idea.

“Long week,” she blurted without thinking.

He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Where are you headed now?”

She glanced toward her house, but her rest-and-relaxation plan—a long hot bath, some wine and popcorn—was losing its appeal by the moment.

“Home. I’m off tonight, so—”

“So you’re coming with me.”

He didn’t ask. The lack of question in his voice sent flutters to her very core. He was used to taking charge, the leader in him just as appealing as his broad shoulders and muscled arms.

The smart response would be to say, I’m not sure about that. But instead, she opened her mouth and something very different spilled out.

“OK, where to?”

This was a bad, bad idea. Her heart was still raw from Tyler’s betrayal. But since when had Toni done the smart thing in life?

Why start today?

“You’ll see.”

Pushing her bag back over her shoulder, she fell into step with him as they walked down the street. Her flowing bohemian-style shirt and tank were more casual than she’d have chosen for a date, but that was what he got for ambushing her.

Though no one spoke as they walked down Main Street, Toni didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with conversation.

So she didn’t. Somehow it was comfortable that way, like they’d been walking side by side for years and had no need for idle chitchat.

The silence held as they came to a stop in front of the Stone Haven Inn, Lawrence pausing to look up at the intricate ironwork of the balcony railings, but Toni finally spoke when he reached for one side of the glass double door and held it open for her.

“The inn?” she said. The maître d’ held the other door, smiling his welcome, and they walked inside.

“You’ve had a shitty week,” Lawrence said, which wasn’t exactly an answer.

“Is that code for you look like crap?” she teased, thinking of her aunt’s admonishment to go home and get some rest.

When he looked down at her, she wanted to take it back immediately. She hadn’t been fishing for a compliment, and the intensity of his gaze undid her.

“I’m not sure that’s possible,” he finally said. He walked up to the desk, and all she could do was gawk at his back. His very broad back.

If she heard correctly, he was checking into a room. What the hell were they doing here? Not that the idea of closeting herself away in a hotel room with Lawrence Derrickson sounded anything other than magical, but it surely wasn’t the most appropriate idea. After all, it was a small town. Word would get around.

Turning toward her, as cool and collected as if he’d just checked in with the hostess at a restaurant, Lawrence gave her a lopsided smile.

“I booked a room for two nights for a business associate, but he called just before I saw you and isn’t coming until tomorrow.” He lifted the bag in his hand. “I have wine—”

“And a room,” she blurted, her nerves getting the best of her.

“And a balcony.”

Heat rose from her neck to her cheeks . . .

“For people watching,” he finished.