Page 25
“I don’t think this is the time to get into that,” he said, offering Alesha an apologetic smile before turning to Reece. “So, how are things going at The Daily Scoop?”
The shift in conversation was immediate and welcome.
“We have inspectors coming Monday,” Reece said easily, “and then…”
“I have plants I need to get back to!” Alesha blurted.
Silence.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward her.
Heat rushed to her face. “Sorry. That just…came out. I was thinking about my place in Oregon.”
Under the table, Reece’s hand found her thigh and gave a reassuring squeeze.
“And then we’ll finish the drywall and start painting,” he continued smoothly, as if nothing happened. “We should be wrapped up by next weekend.”
“Just in time for Christmas,” Joanne said. “Your mother must be thrilled.”
“She is. She wants to keep it quiet until after the holidays, though. There are still a few pieces of furniture on the way, but the loft space is going to be great.”
“And I appreciate you putting that door back in,” Martin added. “If it weren’t for storage, I’d have opened the whole thing up.”
“Well, considering I’m the one who knocked it down,” Reece said lightly, giving Alesha’s leg another squeeze, “it only seemed fair to replace it.”
“You were being a hero,” Alesha said, finally finding her footing again.
“You’re a good man, Reece Barrett,” Joanne said approvingly. “Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
Oh, good Lord.
“Thanks,” he murmured before turning back to Martin. “If you ever want to revisit that space, we could rework it. Maybe keep a smaller storage area and open the rest up. No pressure, but I’d be happy to take a look.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Alesha added. “The exposed brick is beautiful. It would make a really cozy feature.”
“See?” Joanne beamed. “You’re already thinking like the future owner.”
Alesha forced a smile and focused very hard on her plate.
Just get through dinner.
“Tell me, Reece,” Joanne said, clearly not done. “Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? Married? Kids? Still here in Harbortown…with Alesha?”
And just like that, things went from awkward to excruciating.
Beside her, Reece let out a soft chuckle, like the question didn’t hit him quite as hard as it hit her.
“That feels like a lifetime from now,” he said easily. “Right now, I’m just trying to get through the holidays and finish a few projects without letting my parents drive me crazy.”
That earned a small laugh from Martin and shifted the focus just enough.
But under the table, his hand rested on Alesha’s thigh again—this time holding on a little longer.
Technically, he had answered Joanne’s question.
At least…he’d said something.
But the truth was, he hadn’t been thinking five or ten years down the road. Hell, he’d been trying not to think past the next few weeks, past the holidays.
