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“Yes, it is.” Kelly gently ran her finger over the petal of the pale pink rose. Immediately, the connection she experienced when she worked with flowers grounded and calmed her. The four years she’d spent at college getting her degree and another eight years working in an accounting firm had never given her the peace she now had in her life. Sometimes, she wondered why she’d ignored the pull of flowers. Then again, if she hadn’t gone to college and gotten her degree she wouldn’t have been able to run the business profitably.

“It’s beautiful, Kel. Like you.” Tate whispered the words from beside her.

Kelly looked up, her breath catching in her throat at the look of desire burning in his blue eyes. She licked her lips reflexively and his mouth opened a fraction. As if the invisible thread joining them was being wound in like a fishing line, they both leaned in at the same time and their lips meshed together.

A sigh rippled out of her and she gripped the front of his shirt, crushing the soft fabric. Her blood sizzled to life and she pressed herself against his chest, wanting to get closer. His arms slid around her, anchoring her to his chest. Arousal pooled between her legs and she wished they were anywhere but in her store.

From the second he talked about coming with her to Houston, she’d known what it would mean to their relationship. And a relationship was what they were embarking on. As much as fear had held her back in the past, Tate made her want to throw caution to the wind. Take a flying leap off a ledge and know that he would catch her.

The sound of a phone ringing penetrated the sensual fog that had enveloped them and she pulled away from him. She staggered a little, surprised that her legs had turned to jelly from his kiss.

Now that had never happened in her life before.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his hands gripping her upper arms lightly.

“Yes.” The only sound in the shop was their voices; the phone had stopped. “Was that your phone or mine?” she asked as she opened the drawer beneath the counter where she usually put her phone.

As soon as she finished speaking, the ringing started again. As she peered in the drawer, her phone remained dark.

“Hi, Dad,” Tate said as he moved to stand on the opposite side of the counter.

Kelly tried not to read too much into the symbolism of the three feet of glass separating them. After the kiss they’d just shared, there was no way he wanted nothing to do with her. She was pretty sure that, given a sign from her, he’d hoist her onto the counter and have his wicked way with her.

Hmm, maybe that would be something they should try—after their Houston trip. There was no guarantee they were going to be compatible between the sheets.

She snorted at the thought. After the kisses they’d shared, there was no chance they wouldn’t be compatible.

Tate raised his eyebrow and reached over to touch the hand resting on the counter. In a quick motion, he adjusted his hold so that their fingers entwined. It was a little awkward, but she had no plans on breaking the connection between them.

“Dad. Dad. Calm down. If you don’t stay calm, they’ll never let you out.” Tate paused, listening.

A trace of discomfort surrounded her at eavesdropping on a private conversation. But the way Tate kept a firm grip on her hand, he didn’t want to let her go either.

“I know. I’m the same. I’m happy you’re being released too. I’m on my way over. I should be there in about twenty minutes. Do you think you can contain your excitement until then?”

Kelly smiled at the teasing note in Tate’s voice. The relationship between Tate and his father was a good one, like what she had with her mom.

“Okay, Dad. I’ll see you soon. Bye.” Tate’s voice cracked as he said goodbye.

Because she was watching him she saw the faint sheen of tears in his eyes. Extracting her hand from his, she rushed around the counter and gathered him in her arms.

A shudder rippled through Tate, followed by another as he hugged her tightly. They didn’t say anything, and Kelly was glad she was able to provide the emotional support he needed in the moment.

“Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Hey, Mom.” Her words were muffled against Tate’s chest, but at her mom’s chuckle, Kelly figured she must’ve understood them.

Tate held her for another half a minute before brushing his lips across the top of her head. The touch was light but as meaningful as the kiss they’d shared earlier.

Kelly patted his chest once before walking back to her side of the counter, where Mom wasn’t even trying to hide her interest in what the two of them were doing.

She kissed Mom on the cheek. “You’re early today.”

Speculation was rife in her mom’s gaze and Kelly appreciated it when she kept her counsel to herself. “I know. I had a feeling you may need me, so I came in. Looks like I was right. How are you, Tate? I hear Trenton is coming home tomorrow. You must be happy about that.”

Kelly’s mouth dropped open. “How do you know that, Mom? I just found out myself.”

“It’s Sweet Ridge, honey, nothing is ever secret here and”—she looked between her and Tate—“if you two don’t want to be the brunt of everyone’s gossip more than you already are, I’d be careful about doing what I just walked in on in public places.”