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Tightening her hands on her keys, she turned to find him watching her with a pensive, shuttered expression. “I already told you my secrets.”
“Not all of them.” He moved closer, his dark eyes sliding from her face to her chest.
Her heart fluttered. He reached out and lifted the pendant around her neck. The brush of his fingers on her skin shocked her with heat.
“What kind of stone is this?” He rubbed his thumb over the crystal.
“Red amethyst. Destiny gave it to me.” She gazed at the raw amethyst nestled in his big palm. “She believes crystals have healing powers.”
“Why do you need healing?”
She shrugged, tugging the pendant gently out of his grip. “Buildings require regular maintenance, right? They get weather-beaten and need fixing up the older they get. People are the same way. If you have a strong foundation and are solidly built, and if you’re lucky, then maybe you’ll need less repair work than others. But as time goes on, we all need a bit of restoration.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “I’ve never heard anyone compare houses with people.”
“Places are important.” Aria opened the van door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “My building is more than just stones and mortar. It was a home to my ancestor and her family and to other people through the years. Now it’s mine, and it’s where orphaned cats can find security and love before moving to their forever home.”
“Your plan worked.”
“For the first time.” She pulled the van on to Starfish Avenue. “What about your plan? How far along are you now?”
“Not far enough.” He turned his head to look out the window. “And maybe too far.”
