“He’s right. I’ll have it to you as soon as I’m able. But it might take longer than a month because of the showing.”
My formerboss shakes her head at her husband and turns back to me with a wink. “Feel free to sendhimthe bill now, but I’ll take it whenever you finish.”
A small chuckle escapes my throat. “Duly noted.”
“I’ll have some boxes delivered to your office, and while we pack up your stuff, you’re going to tell me about the temp assistant you had while I was on vacation who mysteriously disappeared when you stopped coming in.”
My gaze shoots to Mount, and his expression carries a warning I can’t ignore.
“He didn’t work out as an assistant so much ... because we started dating. He gave me some space while I was dealing with my grief, and things are ... going well now.”
Mount gives me an approving nod, and Keira beams.
“I’m so happy for you, Temperance. I look forward to meeting him.”
I smile too because I feel like I just dodged one of Mount’s bullets.
“Now,” Keira adds, “let’s get you packed up so you can go chase that dream of yours even harder.”
Forty minutes later,Kane helps me carry the boxes from my Bronco up to my apartment.
“I can’t believe I did it. I’m officially unemployed!” I feel lighter, as if a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I set the small box on the counter as Kane deposits a larger one in the corner of the living area and turns to face me.
“You’reself-employed. There’s a difference.”
I take a deep breath, and a wide smile stretches my cheeks until they hurt. “Either way, I feel really good about it. It’s like I’m getting a brand-new start at life.”
He crosses the room, closing the distance between us with only a couple of steps.
“That’s how I felt the second time you came to the club.”
Another wave of warmth blooms in my chest. “Really?”
He nods.
“Why the second time?”
“Because the first time was a dream. The second time held a different kind of promise. Like it was the beginning of something that could be more than a club fling. Everything about it was different.Youwere different.”
I remember how he left me covered with a blanket, leaving a note saying he wanted to see me again. Knowing that was the absolute truth fills me with another wave of warmth.
I take the opportunity to ask another question that has occupied my mind. “If you hadn’t seen me at the distillery during the auction, would you have come looking for me?”
His blue gaze turns solemn. “Of course. You’re not the kind of woman a man can walk away from without intending to make his way back to as soon as possible.”
Those pesky tears shimmer again, but this time I don’t let them fall. I have a better idea.
“Kiss me, Kane.”
“You mean kiss the artist I’m in love with?”
My smile widens, because now I can check one of the things off my list. “Yes. Kiss her.”
His hand tangles in my hair as he lowers his lips to mine.
While we’re curledaround each other in bed an hour later, my phone chimes with a text.