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They were both his favorites.

He sent me a warning glare. “Are you trying to wreck me, woman?”

“Always.” The curtsy I gave him was coy.

Penny appeared ten seconds later, her purse slung over her shoulder. “All right, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon for the big day.”

Excitement thrilled in my belly. Toppling and turning as I imagined this store filled with the people I loved most. “Open house at four! It’s going to be a total blast!”

We were having a soft launch party in the late afternoon. I wanted it to feel more like a hang out rather than a shopping excursion.

All of my family would be there to celebrate, and I hoped that most of the town would be, too.

I nearly skipped over to where Penny stood at the end of the hall, unable to stop myself from hugging her tight.

Her spine stiffened against my onslaught of affection. I almost released her with an apology before she melted against me.

A mournful breath heaved out of her, and I felt her tremble.

I hugged her tighter and whispered, “Thank you so much for being here to help me get this place ready. I’m not sure I could have done it without you. I’m really, really thankful that you’re here, Penny. Really thankful.”

I hoped she understood that the sentiment extended beyond the simple fact of her working here. That there was something about her that made me sure that she belonged here.

That she needed us just as much as I clearly needed her.

She gave me an awkward pat to my back, her words clogged with emotion. “I think I am, too.”

When she stepped back, she was trying to hide the fact that she dabbed at tears in her eyes. “You two get some rest tonight,” she said.

“You, too. I don’t want you to show up here hobbling tomorrow with a broken back.” I wound as much lightness as I could into the suggestion, though my words remained thick and choppy.

She gave a little nod and headed for the door.

“Drive safe,” Trevan told her.

“I will.”

The bell over the door jangled as she left, and we both watched her climb into her car. Neither of us looked away until she pulled out onto the street.

“She’s sad,” I whispered.

“Yeah, it’s a good thing she’s here,” Trevan agreed.

Then he swung the intensity of his gaze back to me. “Get your bag. I want that steak and apple pie.”

“Actually, I think I have more work to do and had better stick around.”

It never hurt to poke the beast a little bit, did it?

“What, you think you’re going to tempt me with all my favorite things and then rip it away?”

His gaze raked down my body again.

Heat scorched at the contact points.

His tongue stroked out over his full, plush lips.

What was happening? Was he actually thinking what I thought he was thinking? Imagining what I thought he was imagining?