Page 25 of A Crane Family New Year

She nodded for him to go ahead.

“Why didn’t you respond to my invitation? Even if it was to tell me no?”

“I…wasn’t ready.”

“You weren’t ready to say yes to a date, or you weren’t ready to say yes to a date with me?”

“I’m not—” She hesitated, unsure how honest to be with him. The truth would leave her tender underbelly exposed.

“It’s all right, Chloe. Honestly. If anyone understands not being ready, it’s me. I have been damn near reclusive for two years. Then you come along—you as in Curly Q Sue—and woo me out of my doldrums.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “I wooed you?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “Through your photographs first, and then in person tonight. Seeing this city through your eyes reminded me that the world was bigger than the small, gray city I lived in. I hadn’t been traveling, or leaving the house more than to run necessary errands, since Emily passed. The way you see Chicago reminded me that there was a life beyond my tiny corner of the world—and that you were living a rich, full, exquisite one.”

“My photos said that?” She was passionate about the city, and her main goal had been to capture the romance of it. When he’d reached out on the app to compliment her, she’d been overjoyed that he shared her vision.

“And more,” he answered. “You gave me the courage to admit it was time to start over.” He winced, a subtle tensing of one cheek, but she’d noticed. “That sounds bad, doesn’t it?”

“Not to me. It sounds healthy.”

“You made me fall in love with this city anew, and that’s the truth.” He pulled in a breath that lifted his shoulders. “Listen, I would never pressure you in any way. If tonight never goes further than this moment, I will always owe you a debt for that gift.”

Her heart softened like room-temperature butter. She’d posted her photos for fun but had never expected someone to fall in love with the city through them—at least not enough to pick up and move here from the UK. It was…

“Amazing,” she heard herself say. He was watching her with such bald sincerity she could hardly breathe. “Will you show me the framed photos?”

“I’d love to.” In that regal way he had, he offered his arm and she accepted. Then he escorted her from the room.

In the corridor directly behind the staircase, Zander stopped in front of the row of photos. The party was going strong behind them, the sounds of music and laughter having grown fainter with every step they took.

Chloe’s hand was in his, her body pressed against him. He wasn’t exactly sure where he stood with her, but the fact that she hadn’t left him alone on the dance floor seemed promising.

“I never saw them framed. They look great.” Her smile was cautious but proud as she studied her work. She should be proud. The photographs were unique. Incredible. “Not to brag.”

“It’s not bragging if it’s true.”

“I’m not a professional.”

“As a man who purchases fine art for professionals, trust me when I say that your photos are exquisite.” He faced her. “Like the woman who took them.”

Her eyes turned up to his as her teeth dragged along her bottom lip. When he thought she might argue with the compliment, she instead accepted it with a “thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” When he’d asked out CurlyQSue online, he’d been angling for a New Year’s Eve kiss. She was, in his mind, the best option. He hadn’t been dating and didn’t have any woman friends in the States. He figured after spending a pleasant night with her, they could kiss and then return to chatting online. Not so anonymously, this time around. Beyond that, he’d made no plans.

Meeting Chloe in person had been an entirely unexpected experience. He hadn’t been prepared for her to be this beautiful. This charming. This captivating.

“You asked why I didn’t respond,” she said, her gaze on a photo of the Crane Hotel’s entryway.

“I did.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know now. He didn’t want their night to end quite yet.

“The truth is…” She peered up at him, her red lips pursed.

Preparing to give him bad news? Possibly. She hadn’t leapt for joy when he’d asked her out online. Had that changed for her? Or was she rethinking everything now that she knew his true identity—and how closely involved he was with her friends, who happened to be his family.

“Go on.” He dipped his chin, prepared to hear what she had to say. She had a right to react now that she had all of the information.

“I didn’t respond because I was afraid I would be disappointed. You wouldn’t have been my first internet date, and in the past, they haven’t been great. I didn’t even know your real name. I didn’t want to know it.”

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