Page 32 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“Hey!” I’m surprised by my volume.

Get your shit together, Serena! Don’t seem so needy!

He turns around and looks at me expectantly.

“What’s up?”

“Thanks for the coffee. I…um, would you like to get dinner tomorrow night?”

“Are you asking me on a date, Serena?”

“I mean…if you are opposed to that, I guess it could be a business dinner.”

He chuckles. “This is a first.”

“That a woman has asked you on a date.”

“Yes, and then immediately tried to categorize it as business.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, only now realizing how that might have sounded. I blow out a breath and do something incredibly scary.

“Last night... it was intense, and I feel like we need to address it. We can’t just pretend it didn’t happen.”

“I agree. It was... a lot to process.”

“Yeah,” I say, feeling vulnerable and frustrated. “I need to know where we stand. Are we just going to pretend it was a one-time thing, or is there something more?”

“I’m not sure what to say.” He swipes a hand across his jaw. “It was meaningful, but it’s also complicated. I don’t want to rush into anything.”

I nod, trying to keep my emotions in check.

You lost your virginity to me, and you don’t want to rush into anything?

Boy, who do you think you’re kidding?

“I get that. But I’m not a woman who does one-night stands or is noncommittal. Say what you mean.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not great at navigating these kinds of situations. I work too much.”

“Neither am I,” I admit, relieved at his honesty. “But we can’t ignore it. It happened, and it was incredible. If you do not want to do it again, that’s fine.”

“I didn’t say that I didn’t want to do it again,” he grins. “Can we focus on the party for now?”

“You did, actually. But sure, let’s focus on the party. Anyway, I have dinner plans right now, so I should get going.”

“Dinner plans?”

I nod. He starts to say something but stops and walks out of the store instead. I let out a long sigh as I watch him go.

I’m not going to play games or wait around for a man to choose me.

If he’s not crazy about me after last night, well then good riddance.

As I lock up the shop and prepare to head home, I can’t shake the feeling that our encounter has opened a door to something new, something both thrilling and challenging. The tension between us is undeniable, but I can’t help wondering what our future holds. If a future there is…

The Local Bar,a cozy spot with dim lighting, a well-worn charm, and a clever name, is exactly what I need tonight. I walk in, shaking off the day’s stress, and scan the room for Lila. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses fills the air, creating a welcoming backdrop for an evening of catching up.

I spot Lila at our usual corner table, waving enthusiastically. She’s a burst of energy, her vibrant red dress making her stand out in the dimly lit room. I smile as I make my way over, grateful for her company.