Page 59 of Mine to Keep

“Why not?” Jamison asked.

“Because you’d control the conversation,” she said bluntly.

Erica burst out laughing. “She’s got your number.”

For some reason, that made Bryn feel really good.

“I’ll take these four.” Erica held up two necklaces, a bracelet, and a pair of earrings. “Jamison’s mom told me you do custom work and showed me a picture of something you did with a wedding dress. I have a lot of beadwork on mine, and I’d like to do something with it for my kids. Would you be interested in that?”

“I love doing stuff like that.” Once again, Bryn was indebted to Jamison. However, he was bringing her paying customers. How could she argue with that?

“Great. Maybe we can go to lunch next week to talk about it.” Erica set the pieces she’d picked out on the table.

“Would you mind just coming here? It would be easier for me with my little girl and all.” Bryn gathered up the jewelry and stood.

“I can do that,” Erica said.

“Wonderful. I’ll just go wrap these up for you.” Bryn tried to contain her excitement, but it was pretty hard.

“I’ll go with you,” Jamison said.

Bryn wanted to tell him not to. She would prefer if he stayed with his friends, but she figured that would be rude, so she said nothing.

Once in the spare bedroom, she found small boxes to wrap the pieces in and she went about the task as if he weren’t even standing there staring at her. Only, after about five minutes, she couldn’t take it. She paused and glanced in his direction. “What?” she asked.

“You’re amazing.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said quietly. “You put together a showing of some of your best pieces in a few minutes. You held your own with Erica, who has a sharp tongue. You’re calm. You’re collected. And you put up with me.”

“It’s that last one that I should be given a medal for.”

He tossed his head back and burst out laughing. “That’s the damn truth.”

“I was kidding.”

“I’m not.” He cleared his throat as he closed the gap. He took the box from her hands and set it on the desk. “I’m meeting with my mom tomorrow. And if it weren’t for you and all the encouragement you’ve given me, I’m not sure I’d be doing it.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you’re moving forward with all that.”

He rested his hands on her hips. She wanted to step back, but she didn’t. Especially when he inched even closer. His lips were so dangerously close to hers, she felt his warm breath on her skin. “I know I need to work on things with her. It’s not going to be easy, and I’m sure I’ll make mistakes, but it’s a start, and I want to thank you for being there for me and listening.”

“Anytime.”

He leaned in and brushed his mouth over hers in a tender but passionate kiss. It was short, but it was powerful.

Too powerful because when it ended, she stood there staring at him, hoping he did it again.

Instead, he curled his fingers around her forearm and tugged her into the hallway. “We should probably head back to the family room.”

“That’s a good idea,” she whispered but then moved back to grab Erica’s purchases. “We don’t want to give them the wrong impression.”

“It’s a little late for that.”

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