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Boone smiled. His dog was trying to cheer her up.
“How about an early dinner?” he suggested. “I have some steaks.”
She gave him a small smile. “Sure.”
But through the simple meal, she was quiet and subdued. They ended the evening in front of the fire, with Gemma drinking more of her delicious hot chocolate, Boone eating a huge slice of chocolate cake, and Atlas munching on the dog biscuits Gemma had made especially for him.
“What are your plans?” He glanced her way. “After this is over? You going to keep working at that bakery?”
“I’m not sure. I still have a few interviews to give, thanks toCake and Bake. I’m evaluating my options.” She sighed, staring at the fire. “I’m dragging my feet. I guess I don’t want to live with my parents’ constant disapproval.”
“They love you?”
“Yes, in their own way. They’re driven, but they aren’t monsters.”
“Then they’ll want you to be happy.”
“I wish it was that simple. I envy you having no parental pressure.” She straightened, her face stricken. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded—”
“I know.”
“I wish you’d never lost your parents, Boone. It must’ve been horrible. I hope your uncle was good to you.”
“As good as a crusty old bachelor could be. He was my dad’s brother. Older.” Boone set his mug down. “But one thing he always did was support me, whatever I wanted to do. Gemma, it’s your life. What do you want to do?”
White teeth worried her plump bottom lip. Lips he’d kissed.
“I had friends who never got to do all the things they’d dreamed about after the military. Don’t think, just tell me.”
“I want to open a bakery. Nothing fancy, just a simple place that uses good ingredients. I want to know the regulars who come in for their favorite things.”
Boone nodded. “There you go.”
“Starting a business is a big risk. Most fail, and while it isn’t the financial part that would affect me, obviously, I couldn’t stand for it to flop. To have my parents say they’d warned me. And there would be press.” Her voice deepened. “Billionaire’s daughter fails to get business to thrive.”
“Most things worth having require some risk. And I reckon you have an expert who’d be happy to share his knowledge, help you mitigate some of those risks.”
Her shoulders sagged. “He’d try to take over. He’d start talking about expanding into dozens of locations. Dad can’t do small.” She yawned, slapping a hand over her mouth.
“You’re tired. Why don’t you head to bed and get some sleep?”
“Boone, I can sleep on the couch. I hate that I’ve kicked you out of your own bed.”
“The couch is comfy.”
“I know.”
Their gazes met. Oh, it’d been far too good waking up with her in his arms on the couch.
She shot to her feet. “Right, okay, sleep well.”
“I will, Gemma.” She hurried into the bedroom, and Atlas rose and followed her.
Boone rolled his eyes. “You are so easy.”
And here he was, jealous of his own dog.
* * *
