Your One True Love (The Bennett Family 8)

“That’s kind of you. He is lonely.”

“And now you’re getting sad. Let’s change the subject. How is work at the new school?”

“How’d you know I changed workplaces?”

“I’ve always kept tabs on you.”

His answer catches me off guard, filling me with all kinds of warmth. I laugh nervously, trying again not to read too much into this... and failing spectacularly.

“It’s great. I love it. Much smaller groups, so we can focus on each kid. We’re doing a lot of extracurricular activities with them too. I’ve only been there for a month, so I’m still on probation, but I’m doing a great job. No reason for them not to keep me. Next Monday we were supposed to take them to the Maritime Historical Park, but they called today to tell us they closed off a section, and I don’t think it makes much sense to go. We’ll have to find another idea for an outing because the kids are so psyched about going on a trip. Any ideas? You’re the master of adventures.”

“How old are they?”

“Nine.”

“Whale-watching would be a hit. You can see humpback and blue whales around this time. They’re still migrating.”

“Great idea.”

“I can set it up. Next Monday I’m taking a group out from Moss Landing. We’re only going out in the afternoon, but I had to rent the boat for the entire day anyway. We could take the kids out in the morning.”

“How are your prices?” I ask skeptically. “This is a private school, but... not your usual target market.”

“I don’t work just with celebrities. I’ll send you an offer. I can give you a friend’s discount.” He flashes me a smile. Oh hell no. Not his wicked smile!

“That’s not necessary. Send me the offer, and I’ll pass it on to the principal and my colleagues.”

I’m sure they’ll be thrilled with it. I am too. For the kids’ benefit, of course, not because I want to spend more time with Daniel.

For the remainder of our dinner, we chitchat about his family and their shenanigans, betting on how long it’ll take for Summer to ask him how tonight went. We have our answer by the end of our evening when we’re walking back to his office, since we both parked close to his building.

Daniel’s phone chimes, and he chuckles as he glances at the screen, then turns it to me.

Summer: Got my shoes? How’s Caroline?

“You’re right, we should give her a taste of her own medicine, make up a wild story. I’m tempted to tell her we ended up having wild sex, just to see her reaction,” he says.

Well, I don’t know about Summer’s reaction, but mine is boom.

My breath catches as my nipples turn to pebbles. The skin on my cheeks and neck feels on fire. So does my center. I try to laugh, but it comes out throaty and uneven. Damn. How can I react like this to a joke? Daniel watches me silently, and I hold his gaze, right up until the air between us becomes so charged I can’t stand it. I need to break this tension, stat.

“Careful, say the wrong thing and she’ll go into full matchmaker mode,” I warn.

We come to a halt as we reach my car, and Daniel brings his hand to my face. For a brief second I think he’ll pull me into a kiss, but then I realize he’s just brushing off a leaf from my hair. His thumb touches my cheek in the process, and he lingers a little in his touch. Danger alert! Clearing my throat, I step back.

“Okay. Well, it was great catching up. I’ll send you details about the trip. Have a nice evening.”

“You too.”

I climb into my car and rev the engine, which always needs a few minutes to warm up. Once I hit the road, I glance at the digital clock on my dashboard. It’s nine o’clock. Plenty of time to sink in my tub. Hot water and my favorite caramel bath bomb are just what I need to relax... and figure out why I can’t forget Daniel. On second thought, I’ll also stop at Target. Hot water and a bath bomb are okay for relaxing, but they won’t cut it for my late-night soul-searching.

This is a job for wine.

Chapter Five

Caroline

The next morning, I almost climb the flight of stairs to Linda’s apartment before I remember she’s back and I’m no longer on Bing duty. Dang, I’m going to miss that furball, chewed shoes and all.