Allen liked how the dress hugged her curves. Her skin glowed, and despite the knee brace, she looked stunning. “Thanks.” He walked to the kitchen and set her pot on his stove.
Heather called out to him. “I see a few boxes lying around.” She sat on the sofa by the time he returned to join her in his living room. She noticed a photo on his coffee table. “Is this your mother?”
Allen sat next to her on the couch. His fireplace popped as a fire kindled, but his eyes diverted to the photo Heather mentioned. The picture captured his mother decorating their family Christmas tree. He was the little boy in the background, tangled in the garland.
“Yeah, it’s one of my favorite photos.” He cleared his throat.
Heather took his hand. “I didn't mean to bring the mood down.”
He smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. How did she always manage that floral scent? “You look great.”
She gestured at her knee brace. “This itches.”
“You’ll be free of it soon enough.”
“I’ve been thinking about that.” She tucked a curl behind her ear.
“What?”
“When our sessions are over…”
“Yeah?”
“I know I haven’t said it, but I want to be honest with you. I can’t stand that. If only people would talk things out.”
Allen swallowed. If only Crystal wasn’t in town. “Go on.”
Heather continued. “I don’t want to see anyone else. I didn’t plan on… on… liking you, but I don’t think I can stop.”
He bowed his head. The timing was off. He had to figure out what Crystal wanted and cut ties with her for good. Looking up at Heather, he stroked her chin. “I feel the same way.”
“I’m…” She blew out her cheeks. “I also want you to know I’m scared of… this.” She gestured between them. He rested both hands on her shoulders. Heather released a deep breath. “I can’t promise anything.”
“I can’t either,” he said.
“But I want to try... with you.”
Allen pressed their foreheads together. It was now or never. “Heather?”
“Yes?”
“I need to tell you something.”
She cleared her throat. “What’s that?”
His mouth went dry. “I… I want you to know I will not let my past come between us. I’ll face whatever I have to if it means being with you.”
She cupped his face in her hands. Heather kissed him and a moan left his mouth. She was it for him. They were opposites, but she complemented him. Opposite of his reserved life, Heather faced life head on. He wanted to do the same—with her. Her mouth, sweet as always, and his fingers played in the curls of her hair. He couldn’t keep the truth from her.
He broke the kiss. His heart pounded inside his chest. “Heather, I need you to listen to me.”
She teased the nape of his neck. “Okay.”
“That night at the restaurant and we left early, I saw someone. It had nothing to do with you.”
“Are you okay?”
He sighed. “I saw... my ex-wife.”