Restoring Romance (Welcome to Romance 1)

“Maggie called, and we had a nice chat.”

She took a corresponding step back.

“What exactly did she tell you?”

He smiled, displaying his pearly whites, and she felt a bead of perspiration on her neck, despite the cold.

“She refused to tell me anything. She couldn’t break her promise.”

Ash let her eyes close, breathing her relief.

“However,” he continued, “she did answer yes and no to quite a few questions.”

Ash hadn’t cursed since she was a teenager, but a few choice words came to mind.

“And all this...” She waved at the black wall and the pink-lettered door. “All this is a result of your little chat with Maggie?”

He crossed his arms, a familiar frown returning to his face.

“All this is my way of saying you don’t need to go back to New York City.”

“Adam, you probably don’t know as much as you think you know.”

“Really?” His arms fell to his sides and he rounded in front of her on the porch, moving like a stalking cat until he trapped her against the wall, which fortunately, hadn’t been painted black. “I’ll tell you what I know. I know you came here with a dream of opening a restaurant. I know you worked hard to get where you are, and you deserve to be happy. I know somewhere along the way you got the mistaken notion that your dream was in direct opposition to mine.”

He paused, lifting a single eyebrow. “Well, am I right, so far?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I also know you think we’re cousins, and we’re not.” His smile returned—smug, this time.

“I know we’re not really cousins.” She put her hands on her hips, returning a satisfied smile. “You’re adopted.”

Ha! That surprised him!

His eyes narrowed. “Wait... How long have you known?”

“Since Erin told me this morning.” Ash stuck her chin forward. “But you were still wrong.”

“I also know you were happy to find your family, and your family was happy to find you. Everyone in the family loves you and wants you to stay. And—”

“Wait!” Ash couldn’t handle any more. It hurt too much. Knowing Adam only wanted her to stay because she was part of their family was almost more excruciating than if he’d told her he hated her with every fiber of his being. She wanted more, and she had to accept that he could never give it. “The point is you don’t have to do this, Adam. I don’t have to open a restaurant here. I’ll be fine working in New York, and eventually I’ll have my own place. I know the family loves me, and I love them back. I’ll be happy if I leave Romance.” Someday... Hopefully.

Adam stepped back like she’d slapped him in the face. He blinked rapidly, swallowing hard as both hands rose up to grasp at his hair. “Do you really mean that? Would you be happier in New York?” His mouth twisted. “Because, I thought maybe...”

“What?” She panted shallow breaths, barely daring to hope. “What did you think?”

His hooded eyes found hers and connected, pulling at her like a magnet. In a flash his hands were on the wall on either side of her head, caging her in. He bent down until their eyes were level. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating from his chest. “Ash... I like you a lot. And I thought maybe you liked me a little bit... even though you said you didn’t.”

She breathed in his scent—clean and male—and her heart sped up, hammering against her ribs.

“I do like you a little.”

His brows arched, and his dimples flashed. “Just a little?”

A grin fought its way onto her lips. “Okay, maybe a lot.”

“What if I told you I don’t want you to leave Romance?” The air from his lips tickled her skin.