It Started With a Kiss (Insta-Spark)

“It would seem spontaneity runs in the family.”

He smiled. “My dad always says ‘you know when you know.’” His smile became wider. “I’ll have to admit to him now he was right.”

Unable to resist, I shared his amusement. “Tell me about your practice?”

“My brother-in-law and I own the clinic. He specializes in farm animals while I handle the domestic ones.”

“That makes for a diverse practice.”

He nodded, draining the last of the brandy he’d been sipping. “I met Steven while at school. We became fast friends, and I brought him home one break.” He grinned at the memory. “My parents liked him right away, but he and Caitlin didn’t hit it off.”

“Really?”

“The two of them seemed to disagree about everything—all weekend. After dinner on Saturday night, they got into a heated debate on some environmental issue. Watching each of them argue their side was like a ping-pong match. It was worse than two cats fighting, and at one point I thought I was going to have to separate them. I was sure it was the only visit home he’d ever be making with me.”

“Obviously, they worked it out.”

“I apologized on the way back to school, and he looked at me as if I was crazy and told me he hadn’t had such a good time in years. He loved disagreeing with Caitlin. When we got back to campus, he hit the library and dug up even more information. They emailed back and forth for weeks, arguing. Finally, Caitlin admitted he was correct, and he informed her she owed him a date. They’ve been together ever since.”

“Wow. That’s some story.”

> “They complement each other. She’s very outgoing and he’s very laid-back. The argument they had was the first time I’d ever seen Steven riled up.” Daniel chuckled. “She is the only person to this day who can do that.”

“So they had their own sort of connection right away.”

“I suppose.” He stroked my cheek with one, long finger, his light touch bringing with it so much warmth. “Not like ours.”

We had shared our stories earlier over dinner of how we ended up in that studio today. I did it as a favor to Beth, while he had to do it because he lost a bet. I laughed as Daniel talked about the wagers he and Caitlin made all the time. He made a face when he described having to eat blood pudding, and how funny it had been watching Caitlin drink hot sauce, and the way she ran around fanning her face and gasping for air as she tried to cool off her mouth. I snorted when he told me about having to wear a dress one day at the clinic, including heels. He laughed just as hard talking about the wagers he had lost as the ones she had. They were obviously close.

“I think I’ll forever be grateful I lost that bet,” he said. “I actually won big time. I got to meet you.”

I wasn’t sure how to describe our connection, but it was there, like a living, breathing thing between us—pulsating and surrounding us.

Daniel kissed me, his lips soft against mine. Our eyes held, and I could feel my cheeks redden under his gaze. With a grin, he grabbed the last cupcake off the plate and sat back.

He continued, telling me how Caitlin now managed the clinic, billings, and together, they ran the stable. The three of them made a good team, each bringing a different strength into the business.

Watching him talk about his parents, sister, and his patients was inspiring. When he spoke of his beloved niece, Chloe, Caitlin and Steven’s daughter, his eyes and voice were filled with tenderness. Love literally rolled off him when he discussed those he held most dear.

His voice was quiet when he asked, “Do you want children?”

“Yes.”

He wrapped his hand around mine and squeezed it. “Good. That’s good.”

Another one of those strange, silent conversations flowed between us.

I want them with you.

I drew in a deep breath. “I can’t believe—” I hesitated.

He pulled me back onto his lap, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear in an affectionate gesture. “Ask me,” he implored.

“How are you not taken? Already married with a house full of kids and some adoring wife? You’re too wonderful for that not to be the case.”

Not to mention how incredibly drop-dead sexy you are.

I huffed and sighed. “And the way you kiss? I mean really, how are you still single?” Then, realizing what I had blurted out, I slammed my mouth shut.