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Zoey wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think Karen Schiff has any appreciation for the artwork. In fact, she hates it. She told Dad as much, and he got a few anonymous notes suggesting thepiles of junkwere embarrassing to his neighbors. We always assumed they’d come from her. The very first thing she said to me after Dad died was that she hoped I was going to removethose monstrositiesfrom the property. The first thing, Mike. Like...at the funeral. Shook my hand, gave me a sad smile for show, then whispered her little threat.” Zoey refilled her glass. Good thing she wasn’t driving anywhere.
“Why didn’t I know any of this?” Mike asked. “Do you still have any of those notes?”
Zoey had finally taken a seat. She swirled her glass in circles, staring at the white wine inside. “I think I do. Dad never threw anything away.” She met his gaze. “You didn’t know about it because I thought it was a nonissue. Having a busybody neighbor is hardly news. And Idoplan on cleaning up the front and getting the house painted. But now she’s threatening the business, and that’s a whole other story. I guess I could rent a storefront somewhere, but that’s a big expense.Anda big hassle. I like being able to just walk out here for parts or to work on projects.” She scowled again. “All because someone doesn’t like driving past my family home to get to her ugly cinder block on the hill.”
Mike walked around the worktable and put his hands on her shoulders, staring right into her wide eyes.
“Take a breath. Stop worrying. She’s trying to intimidate you, but I’ll check just to be safe. When it comes to zoning, nothing happens fast, and there are always hearings and warnings and a whole process to go through.” He gave her a quick wink. “No one from the town zoning office is going to show up and raid the place, I promise. And don’t forget, you’ve got yourself a top-notch lawyer.”
It was the first real smile he’d seen from her all evening. “Yes, I do.” Her voice was low and soft. They stared at each other for what seemed like long minutes ticking by. Neither of them moved. Neither spoke. He wasn’t sure if either of them was breathing by the time he finally blinked. He was still holding her shoulders. And he didn’t want to let go.
“Uh... Mike...” Zoey straightened her shoulders, but didn’t pull away from his hold. He could kiss her. Holy hell, what a thought. He couldkissher. Right now.
And that was enough to make him step back. One wrong move, and he’d ruin everything. He wasn’t brave enough to take that chance.
WHAT. WAS.HAPPENING?
Zoey stepped back at the same time Mike did, but distance did nothing to ease the energy pulsing through her. It began the instant his hands touched her shoulders. The moment when his gaze, heated and intense, met hers. Usually, Mike’s presence, and his calm, rational advice, made Zoey feel more settled.
But not tonight. Tonight his touch—his close presence—set off a riot of emotions in her that she wasn’t prepared for. Was this the chemistry Mason swore he saw?
I’m not saying it as a friend...
Oh, boy. Maybe Mike reallywasthinking of moving them out of the friend zone. Part of her thought it could be a wonderful idea. The other part of her was screaming that it had DISASTER written all over it. He was still staring at her.
“Zoey...” There was a new timbre to his voice, or maybe she was noticing it for the very first time. A small fire began in her chest.Whoa.This was getting a little too real. She blinked, turning back to the table and picking up a screwdriver.
“I don’t think I told you about my date with Mason, did I?” Her voice was loud and entirely too enthusiastic to her own ears.
Mike—sweet, smart Mike—shook his head with a bemused smile.
“I was there, remember?”
“Well, yeah. But you weren’t at the table. You weren’teverywhere.” She was just turning the same screw back and forth on the antique mechanical bank in front of her. “Don’t you want to hear about it?”
He hesitated, then walked back to his chair on the other side of the table. He was going along with her distraction tactic.
He took a sip of his drink. “So, did you like him?”
It was unusual for either of them—much lessbothof them—to be so careful about what they were saying. There was a very large elephant somewhere in this room, but neither of them was ready to deal with it.
“Yes!” Oh, God, she was almost yellingDeep breath.“I mean...he’s a nice guy, but it was just dinner. At least I got my first post-divorce date out of the way, right?”
“Sure.” His frown was dangerously close to a scowl. “Did you get a kiss out of the deal?”
She snorted. “Uh...no. Just a handshake.”
His eyebrows rose at that. “Ahandshake? Is the guy blind?”
“What doesthatmean?”
Mike chewed his lip. “I...uh...nothing. I mean...you seemed to have a nice time. You were both laughing and talking all evening. You’re a beautiful woman. I’m just surprised he went with a handshake, that’s all. Seems pretty lame on his part.”
Zoey straightened, not sure she’d heard right. Had Mike just said she wasbeautiful? And why did that make something go all fluttery inside? It threw her enough that she lost control of her filter for a moment.
“The handshake wasyourfault.” She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes.Damn it.She had not intended to tell him about Mason’s opinions on the two of them.
“Myfault? How do you figure?” He set his cup down, staring at her.
