Page 16 of Tempted

“It’s hardly work,” Lucy snorted. “I’m bedazzling everything I can get my hands on and foisting my macramé disasters on the unsuspecting.” She waved her hand. “Who knows where my improved knot tying skills will take me.”

“I’ve got a few ideas if you run out of your own.” A light flush crossed her cheeks and made the ache to pull her close hard to ignore.

“Plant holders,” she said quietly. “I’ll be very busy tying up decorative accessories.”

“Sounds like a worthwhile pursuit.”

“Well, it’s better than making a spectacle of myself and raging at a man who behaves like a dictim.”

“A what?” he asked, sitting forward.

“It’s a person who acts like a dick then behaves as though they’re the victim. Dictim. I, unfortunately, kept company with a man who raised the deplorable behavior to an art form.”

Linc took one of Lucy’s hands and held it gently. “If you ever need help sending him a message, let me know.”

“I will.”

“Please do.” He looked down at their clasped hands and accepted that it was as good of a step forward as he could hope for.

The road to happiness was never fast or easy, and he was more than willing to take one careful step at a time. No matter how long it took.

FIVE

The following morning, Lucy stood in her sister’s kitchen and didn’t know how remaining committed to her new path and being in the same town as Linc would be possible.

The man was an irresistible force that she was powerless to resist. Was a tumble of sheets and sweaty satisfied smiles inevitable? Glancing at the pan of cinnamon rolls she’d baked earlier, she knew that denying Linc was a real-lifeStern Brunch Daddywas pointless. Hard and protective on the outside and gooey sweet on the inside. Who in their right mind possessed the kind of moral fortitude to resist such a perfect combination?

Should she just give in, cancel her reset, and run at the man with her hair on fire?

Immediately admonishing herself for the wayward thought, she folded her hands and thought about her macramé projects. When that didn’t hold her attention, she checked her watch and decided her sister could be woken up without reprisal. She tromped up the stairs, knocked lightly, and pushed Olivia’s door open. “Good morning.”

“Are we sure about that?” Olivia asked roughly.

“No, but you appear to be alive.” She winced when her sister pushed herself into a sitting position. “Though whatever is happening to your hair makes me think that might not be best.”

“If I had more energy, I’d throw something at you.”

“I’ll make coffee,” Lucy announced firmly. “I brought a tray of cinnamon rolls; can you drag your fanny downstairs?”

“For sugar, absolutely!”

Lucy scrunched her nose. “On second thought, take a shower before you come down.”

“That bad?” Olivia asked as she pushed herself out of bed.

“Yes!”

Olivia blew a kiss and then walked toward the bathroom. “I’ll be down in a bit.”

“Excellent.” She glanced at her suitcases in the hall and wondered if pulling off a little vacay was possible. If she were out of town while her store was torn apart, she wouldn’t have to deal with her increasing and persistent need to kiss Linc’s face.

It would be a win for everyone and a significant step toward keeping her sanity intact if something like that was even possible.

Fifteen minutes later, Lucy heard her sister’s footsteps and looked up from the book she was reading. “All better?”

“Yes,” she said with a wide smile. “Are you moving in?”

“The floor to the store has sprung a leak, and Linc said shutting off the water was the only answer.” She set down her book. “I’m not sure how long it’s going to take to repair everything, so I hope you don’t mind having me as a roommate.”

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