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My breath catches as his gaze lingers there. My lungs forget their job. The moment stretches, elastic and charged.

Is he going to...?

My heart hammers against my ribs. One step closer and I’d be done for. One step and I’m sure I’d do something stupid like kiss him first.

My eyes flutter shut.

“Mind if I have some?”

I blink my eyes to see him reaching past me for the coffee pot instead.

Heat creeps up my neck in an instant.

“Go ahead,” I squeak.

He pours himself a cup, takes a long drink, then sets the mug down. “I'm going to shower. I’ll see you later tonight.”

And just like that, he walks away, leaving me gripping the counter for support.

When I hear the bathroom door close, I let out an exhale. A deep long exhale like I’ve been underwater.

I slap a hand to my forehead. How embarrassing. What was that? Did I imagine the tension between us, the way his eyes held mine?

Somehow, it reminds me of that night many years ago. The almost-kiss moment that haunts me on certain nights. I sometimes imagine how that would’ve changed my life.

Ugh!

I press my palms to my cheeks, feeling the heat there.Get a grip, Wren. He's your best friend's father. Your temporary landlord. Your protector from the online chaos swirling around you. Nothing more. Focus.

But my thundering heart doesn't seem convinced.

Jen showsup at noon with a tote bag and a bottle of wine. I texted her after being unable to stop thinking of my embarrassing moment and lucky for me, she was in town.

Eric jumps her with a full hug and she spins him until they’re both laughing on the living room rug.

“What’re we doing today, Aunt Jen?”

“Today, we’re baking Lemon cookies.”

“Yay!” Eric squirms, running around the living room.

We both shake our heads at him, smiling.

“I thought you’d still be on theIridescentset.”

“I finished as soon as possible to avoid the mess on that set.”

“Wait, what?”

Jen clicks her tongue, tossing wine on the counter. “It’s a whole mess. You know Rida Collins is now the chief editor?”

I reach for a bag of flour, pouring some into a bowl.

“Yeah, I saw the news. Great woman. We’ve worked a couple of times together.”

“News is that Adrienne has been seeing Liam Collins.”

My eyes widen. “What?”