Page 28 of The Candlemaker

“Because I have a property here I want to sell. It’s called market research,” he quipped, and I glared at him.

“And here I thought hiding your real identity was called catfishing.”

“Is it,Frankie?”

Touché.

“If you knew it was me the whole time, why didn’t you say something?”

“Because I wondered why you’d come instead of Lou…and why you were trying to hide it from me.”

But then it hit me…the whole time, he’d known it was me. At the end…minutes ago…he knew.

“And the reason you kissed me?”

His eyes darkened, the spark in them signaling the hunger that had been there before.

“A momentary lapse in judgment.”

The weight of a thousand butterflies fell in my stomach, feeling like nothing and everything at the same time.

“Maybe we should just consider this whole night a lapse in judgment.”

His lips twitched. “I think that’s a good idea.”

I breathed just a fraction easier. As long as it meant he wouldn’t hold this against Lou, I would get over his coldness…and his kiss.

“So, you’ll still consider Lou’s offer?”

His exhale was acerbic. “You’re a business owner, Miss Kinkade. You should understand the importance of making smart business decisions,” he answered, adjusting the sleeve of his jacket.

I pursed my lips, ignoring the twinge of soreness thatreminded me of our kiss. “I know that all the good business decisions in the world don’t make you a good person.”

His head snapped up, his gaze fuming. “Your sister’s offer isn’t the most attractive; it’s nothing personal.”

Nothing personal. From the man who’d just devoured me on the sidewalk.

I moved closer, keeping just enough room between us so his scent didn’t overpower my senses again.

“I think you’re overestimating your own attractiveness,” I quipped.Take that, Mr. Not-Personal.

“Oh?” He stepped toward me, and I gritted my teeth when his spiced warmth hit my nose, fueling the ache that still lingered low in my stomach. “And how’s that, Miss Kinkade?”

“Very few people want to buy a haunted property, Mr. Collins. But you’re welcome to do your own…market research.” My smile pulled tight. “My sister’s offer will still be on the table when you’re done.”

I left him standing on the sidewalk, deciding to walk all the way down to the Maine Squeeze before calling Lou to come and get me. I needed distance. I needed to cool off.

I needed to make a mental note of all the mistakes I’d made tonight that I could never make again.

First, pretending to be my twin sister. Second, kissing the stranger who held her future in his grasp. And third…wishing it could happen again.

Chapter Seven

Chandler

“Very few peoplewant to buy a haunted property, Mr. Collins. But you’re welcome to do your own market research.”

“Chandler?”

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