Page 28 of Snowbound in Her Boss's Bed

She didn’t usually feel comfortable sharing these hurts with people, even those she trusted the most.

And here she had with Mr. Silver.

Maybe it was the storm that was changing all the rules?

She didn’t know; she just continued, “Unfortunately, he realized that in the process of becoming intimate with another woman. They’re married and have children now, though, so it seems like he was right.”

It no longer hurt like it had—going through the initial emotional agony, there were times when she literally thought she was having a heart attack from the pain of it all—but sitting next to the man at her side, it was nice to realize that time and distance had finally worked their magic.

Just as Mr. Silver’s expressive, arresting voice worked its own kind of magic as he lifted his glass and said, inventing a tone that was equal parts sarcastic and sexy as he did, “Congratulations on extricating yourself from a dire situation before it became even more complicated, Ms. Howard. Things clearly worked out the best for everyone involved in the end.”

Surprising herself, Miri laughed again—not as loud or as overwhelmingly as before, but therapeutically none the less.

It was nice to be able to make a joke of it.

That was another one of those things she hadn’t been able to do with other people before. Her family and friends had gone through it with her and were too tender to joke about it now.

They felt bad for her and uncomfortable with the details of the story as well as when she mentioned the current life of her former fiancé.

They didn’t congratulate her on dodging a bullet.

But she had needed to be free to laugh about it with someone like this.

She realized it in the doing.

She had needed the unusual moments of connection in their conversation as much as Mr. Silver had needed company.

It was something that even her holiday with friends could not have given her.

Laughing lightly, at herself as well as the audacity of the man beside her, Miri said, “At the time I thought the extrication was the dire situation, but now I agree.”

“So who was this high school Casanova?” he asked, dry and biting and hilarious.

Laughing, Miri said, “A young man I met through youth group.”

“Obviously,” Mr. Silver nodded, grave, and she hit his shoulder.

She continued. “We met in middle school—”

“Middle school?” he barked, shock clear in his voice, and Miri laughed more. “Is that legal?”

Nodding, she picked back up, “It is. And we didn’t go on our first date until high school, and that date was chaperoned by our parents. Our whole relationship happened beneath the watchful and adoring eyes of our parents. Nothing inappropriate.” Her chuckling probably weakened the assurance, but she wasn’t lying.

“Like I said, lucky to get out before it went too far. It sounds like your fiancé was an idiot. I’m surprised you didn’t know it.”

Once again Miri’s laugh sounded more like a bark, tears sprouting in her eyes at his frank delivery. Shaking her head and wiping at them, she said, “I’m not even sure I quite see how he is now. Weak-willed, maybe. But an idiot?”

Mr. Silver shrugged. “He questioned your motherhood potential. I have not known you long, but even after just a short time of working with you, I can tell that you would be an excellent mother. You’re dedicated, passionate, innovative, creative, determined, and you know how to hold a line in the face of challenge. Those are the makings of an excellent mother.”

She wasn’t laughing now, was for a moment instead brought to stunned silence.

She had hurt so much over so many things at that time in her life, but she hadn’t realized how much that particular knot had bothered her—not until now, at least, as a virtual stranger massaged it out.

Her cheeks heating, she tried to wave his compliments away. “Like you said. It worked out for the best for everyone.”

He nodded. “And even more fortunate, now you don’t have to worry about having a stupid man’s stupid children. Thank God you practiced good contraception prior to your escape.”

Miri gave him a playful punch in the arm. He was terrible.

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