She kissed me back.

  Serena glanced up and smiled at him, sweet and inviting. She did it without missing a beat, booking in an appointment even as she flushed pink. She’d blossomed since the fair, really hit her stride. Watching her work was like watching a swallow in flight, graceful and natural, not a hint of uncertainty. She treated his clients like old friends, on the phone and in person. Her dog biscuits were selling like hotcakes. Even with Daytimer, she hadn’t stumbled since her first week. She went about her work smiling, full of purpose and verve.

  And we kissed. We really kissed.

  “That’s weird.” Serena tapped on her keyboard, frowned, and tapped again. She turned to Will, questioning. “The system just froze.”

  Will shook himself from his reverie. “That is odd. What’s happening?”

  “I changed Mrs. Parker’s followup on the calendar, but once I accepted, my whole screen just locked.” She shook her mouse side to side. “Should I try rebooting?”

  Will sat down next to her to look over her shoulder. She smelled like baking, as usual, cinnamon and sugar. He resisted the impulse to bury his face in her hair, reaching past her instead to jiggle the mouse. The cursor didn’t budge, stuck over ACCEPT.

  “Yeah, I’d say restart. Do you remember when she moved it to, or do you need to call back?”

  “Tomorrow at three,” said Serena, and she let out a sigh. Her hair clung to Will’s sleeve as she leaned back in her chair. He brushed it off without thinking and tucked it behind her ear. She had pretty ears, Will thought. He’d never noticed anyone’s ears before, never found them enchanting. He traced one with his fingertip and Serena’s eyes drifted shut. If he kissed her again right now—

  Serena started upright as her desk phone went off. She reached for it, all business.

  “Good morning, Buckley Veterinary Clinic. How may I help you?” She listened, nodded lightly, and jotted something on her pad. “You’d like to book Nobby for a tooth cleaning on Friday at nine. Have I got that right?” She listened again and smiled, satisfied. “Okay, then. You’ll get e-mail confirmation within the hour, and you can always call back if you need anything else.”

  Serena hung up, and Will realized he was staring. He looked away quickly, but she caught him anyway.

  “What? Did I mess up?”

  “No. Not at all.” Will laughed to ease his tension. “I was just remembering your first day here, you answered the phone about ten different ways—Buckley Vet Shop, Main Street Chiropractic, I don’t even know—but look at you now, queen of the castle.”

  Serena chuckled. “I guess I have settled in.”

  “You’ve done more than that. You’ve come into your own. I find it inspiring, the way you go for what you want.” Will cleared his throat. “You make me want to be brave, too. Maybe brave enough to ask you, how would you feel about a date?”

  “A date? You and me?” Serena’s eyes twinkled. “Where would we go?”

  “I thought dinner tonight, at the Good Beet.”

  “Ooh, yeah, I love that place.” Serena glanced at her phone. “I’ll need to check with my sitter, but we should be good.”

  “Perfect, then.” Will rose, straightening his coat. “By the way, I passed Gran’s today, taking Luna for her walk. There’s a FOR SALE sign in the window where those cakes used to be.”

  “Already?” Serena’s face fell. “I knew it was coming, but still, it’s sad.”

  “It doesn’t have to be,” said Will. “I got this flash, going by there, of your cookies in the window—a macaron rainbow, just like you said. And I saw you as well, covered in flour, with a smile on your face. And the sign on the door, it said—”

  “It said FOR SALE again, because I’d be bankrupt. I don’t know the first thing about running a business.”

  “I didn’t either, till I had to learn.” Will couldn’t resist pushing just a bit more. He’d got attached to that image of Serena in the bakery. She wanted that, he could tell. She deserved it, and denying herself out of fear of failure—

  “Will?”

  “You should talk to Juniper,” he said. “She has her own business, and she’s doing great.”

  “I’ll give that some thought,” said Serena, but Will could see she’d dismissed the idea. He pushed it aside, too, but only for now. Serena belonged in that bakery, living her dream. He felt that as strongly as he’d felt he should kiss her.

  “You know, I never tried this place till it’d been here a year.” Will bit into his steak and gave a low, broken moan. “Still can’t believe I missed a whole year eating here.”

  “What, did you think they only served beets?”

  “Well, they do have that beet sign over their door.”

  Serena laughed. It felt good being out with Will, joking around, trading bites back and forth. He was the kind of date she’d thought only existed in the movies—sweet but not pushy, his focus all on her. Jack would’ve spotted at least one golf buddy by now. He’d have ordered for her, abandoned her, maybe even snapped at her if she’d dripped steak sauce down her dress. Will just offered a napkin when her sleeve dragged in the butter. Then they shared a giggle as he buttered her bun.

  “You know, about that bakery...” Will looked down at his plate. “Not to push, but I’ve been wondering how long that’s been your dream?”

  “What, owning a bakery?” Serena took a bite of potato and chewed thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t call it my dream, exactly,” she said at last. “It’s been more of a fantasy, a game I played as a kid. I’d sell Play-Doh cookies to all my stuffed toys, heart ones and star ones, ones with roses on top.” She took a fresh bun and broke it in half. “I still play bakery sometimes, in my head, at home. I’ll bake a cake for my kids and trick it out to the nines—buttercream lilies, spun sugar leaves—and I’ll picture it in the window in some fancy shop...” She laughed. “I know. It’s stupid.”

  “It’s your happy place.” Will had leaned closer, that fire in his eyes. “We all need one, right?”

  “I know I sure did.” She sighed without meaning to. “You wouldn’t guess it, but I was a lonely kid. Ma’d be at her country club, or out with her friends. I’d be home with my stuffed animals and a tub of Play-Doh. I needed somewhere friendly, even just in my head.”

  “Your dad never played with you? Or your nanny? Your friends?”

  “Dad was always at work, and my nanny wasn’t the fun kind. And when I was little, my mom picked my friends. They were—well, never mind.” She shook her head to banish the memory. “I built my dream bakery, all in my head. Muffin Tum’s, I called it, after my teddy bear, a place I could go and always feel good. Like...like—”

  “Like a big sponge cake hug?” Will mimed a hug, crossing his arms over his chest. Serena’s heart did a flutter, a quick, joyful throb.

  “Yes! Like a hug, and who doesn’t love hugs?”

  “I love hugs,” said Will. “I think you should go for it, just make it happen.”

  “You said that already.” Serena laughed, a little sadly. Will’s encouragement felt good, but Ma’d call his idea pie in the sky—tasty and tempting; too good to be true. She set down her fork, her appetite waning. “Thing is, before you hired me, I couldn’t hold a job. I lasted two months at my best one, two days at my worst. When you start a business, getting fired means bankruptcy. It means horrible credit, maybe losing your house.” She mustered a weak smile. “I’m just finding my feet. Shouldn’t I walk before I run?”

  “I’m not saying you’re wrong,” said Will. “But you’ve been running my practice smooth as silk. And you pulled that whole fair together practically overnight. I’d say you’ve got great instincts, but of course the choice is yours.”

  “The choice.” Serena made a huffing sound. “I never had to make any, not till Jack left. My whole life, my future was mapped out from day one. Now my map’s out the window and I’ve broken my GPS.”

  “That’s when anything’s possible, when your map runs out.” Will tipped her a wink. “Here there be dragons, y’know? They’d write that on old maps, and it meant we don’t know. We don’t know what’s out there, but we can’t wait to find out.”

  “Even if it’s dragons?”

  “Especially if it’s dragons.” Will grinned. “Wouldn’t you want to see one?”

  “I guess I would, at that.” Serena chuckled, cheered by Will’s enthusiasm. “Speaking of baking, are we getting dessert?”

  “You think I’d walk out of here without my rum baba?” Will patted his belly. “Hope you saved room.”

  Serena had saved room. She ordered the chocolate mousse and Will got the rum baba, and she thought she might melt when he fed her a bite from his plate. The cake was rich and decadent, and she couldn’t help but imagine tasting it on Will’s lips, his strong arms around her, his hips pressed to hers. She craved his touch more than any dessert.

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” he said when they were done. Serena laughed at that, because she’d parked by the clinic.

  “You mean I’ll walk you home.”

  “Works for me. Then if you get cold, I can ask you up for hot cocoa.” A glint appeared in Will’s eye. “What do you say? One for the road?”

  A hot thrill ran through her—was he asking her upstairs? Hot cocoa sounded wonderful, the two of them cuddled up on Will’s loveseat. They’d have to crowd close to fit, bumping shoulders in the low light as the snow fell outside. Will would take her mug and set it on the end table. Then he’d lean in and kiss her. He’d tell her how good she felt, make her feel—

  “Serena?”

  “I love cocoa,” she said. Her pulse was racing, her blood thundering in her ears. She stood up, head spinning, and she reached for her coat. She couldn’t wait to follow Will to the edge of his map—to the place where the dragons were, a bold new frontier.

  11

  Will’s little loveseat was even tighter than Serena remembered—room enough for two, but only if they snuggled. She lay half in Will’s arms sipping her cocoa, a red and green Afghan draped over her legs. She could feel Will’s heartbeat, slow and regular against her back. Luna nosed up to join them, but Will waved her back.

  “No space for you, sweetheart.”

  “Aw, did I take your spot?” Serena gave her a tickle, and it felt almost natural. Her pulse barely picked up when Luna yawned hugely, showing her teeth.

  “She’ll be okay,” said Will. “She’s not allowed up here anyway. In theory, at least.”

  They shared a chuckle at that, and it felt good to laugh together. Luna made a huffing sound and stretched out on the rug. Will set down his mug with a satisfied sigh.

  “If someone had told me in high school we’d wind up this way—cuddled up on my couch after the perfect first date—I’d never have believed them.”

  The perfect first date. Serena’s body felt light, flooded with sunshine. “I think I’d have believed,” she said. “Or at least, I’d have wanted to.”

  Will’s answering laugh was gentle, but he shook his head. “You’re sweet to say that. But you were always so busy with your cheerleading, your committees. Did you even know my name?”

  “Of course I knew you.” Serena smiled at the memory. “I’d come into Spanish class, and you’d be stretched out in your seat, reading some paperback under your desk. Then you’d see me and smile, like how do you do? I’d look for that smile, you know. And you never let me down.” She ducked her head, feeling strangely exposed. “What do you remember about me, besides how busy I was?”

  “You were confident,” said Will, and he cleared his throat. “When Sue Bailey got that haircut and those girls were laughing, you said they were jealous they couldn’t pull it off. You said it real loud, and everyone laughed at them.”

  “That was a bad haircut,” said Serena. “But she was brave to try.”

  “And you were brave to defend her.” Will took her hand and held it, his thumb bumping over her knuckles. “That was the day I, uh...”

  “What?” Serena glanced up, intrigued.

  “Well, I doubt you’ll remember this, but I slipped a note in your locker. I never signed it, so—”

  “That was you?” Serena sat up abruptly, nearly spilling her cocoa. She set it aside and turned to Will. “I loved that letter. I read it to bits. No boy ever called me smart before. You’re the smartest, the bravest, the sweetest girl in this school, and you have the kindest heart.” Serena’s voice cracked, and she brushed at her eyes. “I used to repeat that line when I felt low. Knowing you saw me that way, knowing somebody did—you can’t know what that meant to me.”

  “I meant every word. And it’s still true today.” Will brushed her hair off her face, his touch light and careful. Serena held her breath. Her chest felt tight, her belly full of warmth. When Will kissed her, she floated, lost in sensation—his hand in her hair, the scrape of his stubble. His lips, his tongue, the heat of his breath. He was hot all over, or maybe that was her. She crawled into his lap, eager for more.

  “Serena...”

  She nipped at his neck, and he groaned deep in his throat. “I want you,” she whispered, and she felt his cock swell. Will bucked up against her and then pulled away.

  “We have an audience,” he said.

  Serena glanced over her shoulder and nearly burst out laughing. Luna had sat up and was regarding them with interest, head cocked to one side as she took in the scene.

  “Sorry,” said Will. “If you want a show, you can watch some TV.” He grabbed the remote and flicked on the box. Then he turned to Serena, his eyes dark with lust. “Not to presume, but maybe we should go somewhere more private?”

  “Your bedroom okay?”

  Will nodded briskly, and he took her by the hand. They half-raced, half-stumbled to the bedroom, trading kisses all the way. Will slapped at the light switch and missed by a mile. Serena dragged him to the bed by the glow of the streetlights, and he collapsed on top of her as she grabbed him by the belt.

  “Sorry. I—”

  “Kiss me some more.” Serena nipped at his lip, her desire sharp and urgent. She wanted him, needed him, his lips and his touch. When he moaned, low and hungry, she thrilled top to toe. When his kisses grew heated, her breathing sped up. She could feel the strength in his arms as he cradled her close, the passion in his blood as his pulse raced to match hers.

  “Let me see that body,” she said when they broke apart at last. She fumbled with his buttons, clumsy with desire. Will popped the top two and pulled his shirt over his head. The streetlights cast his torso in sharp relief, all strength and sinew, and dear God, those abs. Serena leaned up and kissed them. The tight muscles jumped, and Will hissed through his teeth.

  “Your pants too,” said Serena.

  “What about you?”

  She wriggled out of her blouse and bra, and by the time she was done, Will was gloriously naked, his cock standing proud as he stepped out of his jeans.

  “Don’t move an inch,” she said. She scooted to the edge of the bed and took him in her mouth. Will made a low sound, maybe lust, maybe surprise. Serena lapped at his shaft, relishing his reactions—the little shudders that ran through him when her tongue kissed his slit, the way he clenched his fists when she took him deep. He didn’t hold back with his pleasure, groaning her name as he buried his fingers in her hair.

  “Serena...”

  She slowed down and teased him, teeth grazing his flesh. Will made a strangled sound, and his cock throbbed and pulsed.

  “Keep going like that, I’ll be done in ten seconds.”

  “I wouldn’t complain,” purred Serena.

  “I want to finish together,” said Will. He pulled back with a sigh and laid her down on the bed, unzipping her jeans with a quick, easy tug. He helped her squirm out of them, pulling her panties down at the same time, and then he was on her, not a scrap of cloth between them.

  “I’m not on the pill,” said Serena. “Do you have—”

  “Right here.” Will held up a condom and tore the wrapper with his teeth. Serena rolled it on for him, and then their eyes met. Will’s were dark with desire, narrow with anticipation. Serena guided him inside her and as he began to thrust, a bright spark took light—not just in Will’s eyes but in her body as well, a rushing wildfire that burned all doubt in its wake.

  Serena’s heart pounded as she soared toward her climax. She felt her thoughts scatter as she careened toward the edge. She felt strong, here with Will, holding him in her arms. Like she could do anything, anything, anything at all—

  Her world dissolved in fireworks, and she fell back, panting. Will sank down on top of her, his breath harsh in her ear. Serena held him tighter, not wanting him to move.

  “Do you hear that, outside?” Will raised his head, half-smiling in the dark.

  “What?”

  “Music, very faint.”

  Serena held her breath and listened. Somewhere in the distance, she could hear “Silver Bells.”

  “Well, merry...two weeks till Christmas,” she whispered, and Will gave a snort. He rolled off her and stretched out, the pale light playing across his chest. His smile was sweet and distant, as though he’d chanced on some treasured memory.

  “That letter...” Serena eased closer, laid her head on his shoulder. “I still have it, you know.”

  “You do not.”

  “I do.” She turned her head so he’d feel her smile. “Everyone used to call me pretty or gracious or ladylike. Or Ma’d call me Princess when I was nice to her friends. I’d get showered with compliments when I played my part. But you saw something more in me. You called me smart. You made me think I could be someone, someone like...” She trailed off, throat tight. Will ran his fingers through her hair, a soothing caress.

  “Someone like who?”

  “Someone more than pretty.” She leaned into Will’s touch. “Someone who might go to college, build a career. Ma would laugh when I’d mention it, say college was for girls who couldn’t find husbands, but did you know I applied?”