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He nodded, swallowing before he answered. “You have the right demeanor. Calm. Caring. Smart.”

“Thanks. I think the same for your chosen profession. You must be a great doctor.”

He looked down, and I was shocked to see his cheeks flush at my simple praise.

“I try.”

We finished our meal, and he asked if I wanted an espresso with my dessert.

“I’d love one.”

The tiramisu was the best I had ever had, the coffee flavor rich, the mascarpone cheese mixture smooth and delicious. I shut my eyes at the taste, groaning a little.

“Oh my goodness. This is incredible.”

Matthew chuckled, nodding in agreement. “One of my favorites.”

“I might have to come back just for this.”

He met my eyes. “We will come back.”

“Oh? You’ve decided that, have you?”

He took another mouthful.

“I have.”

CHAPTER 4

MATTHEW

Madison was a stress-free date. Beautiful. Funny. Intelligent. She didn’t fill in the odd silence with idle chatter. She let the quiet simply be around us. It was comfortable.

I liked her.

A lot.

Finding out she was studying to be a nurse was a pleasant surprise. Discovering her training was in another province a bit of a jolt.

But not insurmountable.

I reminded myself it was only our first date. Yet, despite that, I felt very at ease with her. More than I had felt with a woman since⁠—

I shook my head internally to stop those thoughts.

More than I had felt in a long time.

I glanced over at her as I drove her home. Streetlights played over her profile, highlighting her upturned nose and the shape of her delicate chin. Her hair hung past her shoulders, a long cascade of curls begging me to touch them.

There was an undeniable pull between us. I had felt it when I first saw her, then again when I returned to the bakery. It had been there when she’d opened the door earlier.

She was pretty. Lovely, even. Her gentle ways were appealing. Her voice was soothing. I thought of how her mouth felt touching mine. It felt like more.

I wanted to feel it again.

I pulled into the small lot behind the bakery, looking up at the light that shone through her window and the blind covering it. The apartment next door was dark.

“Your aunt isn’t home?” I asked.