Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
Ashlyn
A week later
It’s the last day of the semester before Christmas break, and I’m kneeling on the floor of my classroom, trying to sort the chaos of glitter tubs and glue pots, when a knock sounds on the door. I glance over my shoulder and smile when I see Ben leaning against the frame.
“Am I interrupting?” he asks, his eyes flicking past me to the mess scattered across the floor.
I laugh. “No. Come in. We made Christmas cards today. It always ends in a glitter explosion.”
I gather the last of the supplies and drop them onto one of the low tables before standing up.
“You’re covered in glitter,” he says, giving me a once-over that feels a little too slow to be innocent.
“Occupational hazard,” I murmur, brushing at my black pencil skirt, even though I know it’s pointless.
Since the cooking class last week, Ben’s been stopping by my classroom almost every day around this time. The kids have all gone home, and most of the staff too, but somehow, we always end up talking, just the two of us.
“How’s the training going?” I ask, remembering how he mentioned signing up for the Phoenix half-marathon to raise money for the hospital his sister works at.
He groans. “Honestly? It’s awful. I hate running.”
I laugh. “Then why did you sign up for it?”
He pushes off the doorframe and strolls in, casually settling on the edge of my desk. “Apparently, I’m a sucker for a good cause.”
“It can’t be that bad,” I say, stacking glue pots and sliding them back into the cupboard.
He grins. “Come running with me and see for yourself.”
“Absolutely not.” I laugh. “You’re on your own with that torture.”
He chuckles. “So, you’re not a fan either?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Gym girl all the way.”
“I should have stuck to the gym.”
“Too late now,” I tease.
“Gee, thanks,” he says, his voice tinged with humor.
I gather up the glitter tubs, somehow managing to get even more glitter over me, and store them in the cupboard with the glue. When I turn back to Ben, he’s grinning.
“I think you might have more glitter on you than the kids did,” he says.
“Good thing it’s nearly Christmas. I’ll fit right in if I’m leaving glitter everywhere I go.”
“I actually came in here to see if you wanted to get a drink before heading home. I’m not sure you can go out like that, though,” he says with a chuckle, his eyes sweeping over me again.
Nerves erupt in my stomach. He’s actually asking me out on the day I look like shit.
“I have a change of clothes,” I say. “I keep one here in case someone throws up on me.” His eyes widen in horror, and I laugh. “Oh, it’s happened! That’s why I’m prepared.”
“So, that’s a yes?” he asks softly.
I nod. “As long as you don’t mind a little glitter in my hair.”
He laughs. “I think I can handle it. I’ll let you finish up here. Just swing by my office when you’re done.”
“Will do. Won’t be long.”
He gives me a smile before heading out of my classroom.
A fresh wave of nerves rolls through me, and I quickly tidy up what’s left on the floor before I head to the storage cupboard tucked in the corner of my classroom.
My spare outfit, a pair of capri pants and a silk cami, hangs inside.
Not exactly date-night material, assuming that’s even what this is…
but definitely a step up from my current glitter-covered look.
I slip inside and get changed, my mind working overtime at the thought of spending some more time together, just the two of us. Glancing in the full-length mirror on the back of the door, I smooth down the cream cami, trying to settle the fluttering nerves in my chest.
My heart’s racing, and I try to tell myself that it’s nothing.
Just two colleagues, hanging out, only it doesn’t feel like that.
It feels like something’s shifting between us, something that’s been slowly building since that cooking class.
The way he always finds his way to my classroom at the end of the day, the way his eyes linger a second longer than they should, and the way his smile makes my stomach twist in the best kind of way…
none of it feels like nothing. And that’s exactly what has my heart racing.
I leave my classroom and head to Ben’s office. His door’s open, and when I stick my head around the frame, he’s sitting behind his desk.
Since he stopped by my classroom, he’s ditched the jacket and tie, the top button of his shirt undone, revealing just a hint of skin. His focus is on something on his desk, and while he hasn’t spotted me yet, I take a moment to take him in.
He’s effortlessly gorgeous, with sandy-colored hair, striking blue eyes, and just the right amount of stubble along his strong jawline.
He’s built, too, and my gaze drifts to his white dress shirt, the fabric pulling snugly across his broad chest. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, revealing tanned, toned forearms, and I swear my mouth goes dry just looking at him.
I’d guess he’s older than me, maybe ten years, so mid-thirties maybe, but you’d never know. He clearly takes care of himself, and he does it well.
He suddenly looks up and smiles. “Hey. How long have you been standing there?”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Not long.”
His smile grows. “Liar.”
“I—um…” I fumble, flustered, and he laughs.
“Relax, Ash. I’m just messing with you. Come on in while I shut this down.”
I step into his office, not quite sure what to do with my hands as he tidies up a few papers and powers off his computer. I can’t help but wonder if that was him flirting. It definitely felt like it. Especially the way he called me out on staring at him… and he knew I was, too.
“You’re looking a lot less glittery,” he says, stepping out from behind his desk, his eyes scanning over me. “Although… you missed a spot. Right…” He gently brushes his thumb along my cheek, his eyes locked on mine. “There,” he murmurs.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
His hand lingers for a second longer before he finally lets it fall, taking a small step back, almost like he doesn’t really want to.
“Shall we get that drink?” he asks gently.
I nod. “Sure.”
“You pick the place,” he says, smiling. “You know Hope Creek better than I do.”
“There’s only one place to go in Hope Creek.”
He grins. “Your brother’s bar?”
“Yep.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
We walk side by side through the quiet hallway and out into the parking lot. The early evening air is cool, and I’m glad I put my jacket on.
“Want to swing by your place first?” he asks. “Save us taking two cars?”
“I walked today,” I say with a shrug.
He raises his brows. “You walked?”
I shoot him a look. “Yes, I walked. Why do you sound so shocked?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “I just assumed if you hated running, walking wouldn’t be high on your list either.”
“They’re totally different,” I say. “One’s tolerable. The other’s torture.”
His gaze drops to my shoes, and a slow smile tugs at his lips.
“And in those heels?” he asks, amused. I nod. “Now that’s impressive.”
“What can I say? It’s a talent.”
About ten minutes later, we walk into Eden.
Even though it’s still early, the place is already buzzing; it looks like after-work drinks are popular tonight.
I guess this close to Christmas, everyone’s winding down.
Seb’s not behind the bar, and I’m hoping it’s his night off.
I love my brother, but it’s kind of a relief not to feel like I’m under surveillance for once.
“Hey, Ash,” Alex calls as we approach the bar, his gaze sweeping over me before a slow grin spreads across his face. “You’re looking hot tonight!”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I quickly drop my gaze, pretending to dig through my purse.
“I wouldn’t let Seb hear you talking like that,” Ryder warns from further down the bar. “You know he’d have you on your ass if he were here.”
I glance up just as Alex waves off Ryder’s comment with an easy grin. “I’ll be with you in one second, sweetheart,” he says with a wink before turning back to the drinks he’s mixing.
I feel Ben step a little closer, his voice low near my ear. “Does he always talk to you like that?”
I glance up at him. “Only when my brother’s not around. He’s always been that way.”
Ben raises an eyebrow. “And you’re not interested?”
I shake my head with a small smile. “Not at all. But he never seems to take the hint.”
I can’t help but wonder if it bothers Ben that Alex is like that with me. He’s always had a flirty streak; it’s just his way, but Ben’s jaw seems a little tighter than when we arrived.
Before I can figure it out, Alex appears in front of us, his eyes flicking between me and Ben.
“What can I get you both?” he asks.
“I’ll have a red wine,” I tell him, then glance over at Ben with a grin. “Perks of walking to work.”
He chuckles. “Definitely a good call.”
“And for you?” Alex asks, turning to Ben.
“Diet Coke,” Ben replies, his tone clipped.
“Coming right up,” Alex says cheerfully, clearly missing the tension Ben’s throwing his way. I pretend not to notice it either. Maybe I’m reading too much into things.
Once we have our drinks, we find a booth tucked away from the bar. I take a sip of wine and slide the glass onto the table as Ben moves to face me.
“So, did I talk you into signing up for more cooking classes?” he asks.
“I’m on the waiting list,” I say with a shrug. “Hopefully someone drops out.”
“I hope so too,” he says quietly. “I really enjoyed that night, Ash.”
I smile, warmth erupting in my chest. “Me too.”
I pick up my wine and take another sip, a grin tugging at my lips.
“So, aside from your new passion for cooking,” I begin, “what else do you get up to outside of work?”
Ben smiles. “Well, if we’re ignoring the torture that is running,” he says, giving me a playful wink, “then the usual stuff. Movies, the gym, spending time with family. Moving to River Falls kind of killed my social life. Not that I was out every night in Phoenix, but I had a solid group of friends.”
“You’ve got friends here,” I tell him, nudging his arm. “Everyone on staff loves you.”