Chapter Eleven
N ews of her coffee shop encounter with Burke had spread. Just as she’d feared. Jovi thumbed through the text messages from her dad and Isabel.
We need to chat about why it’s not wise to spend time with Burke Solomon.
What’s up with the rumors I’m hearing that you’re dating a hot guy? Is that Burke?
“Thanks for your input, guys.” Frowning, Jovi shoved her phone in her back pocket without responding. So maybe she’d been a tiny bit selfish, accepting Burke’s dinner invitation.
She leaned over the pedestal sink in her bathroom and outlined her lips with a mauve lip pencil.
But she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
Deep down, she couldn’t deny the attraction she felt toward the handsome, brooding single dad who also happened to be from the family her own relatives distrusted.
Was it worth the risk of spending time with him?
Or would sharing a meal add more complexity to their already complicated relationship?
But then again, he had invited her as a way to show his gratitude for all her help with Darby Jane.
Honestly, since their paths had crossed at the airport in Anchorage, she’d done a lot for the man. He owed her.
But she’d also said yes because she didn’t want to spend Valentine’s Day alone.
The past four days had been intense. She’d worked an overnight shift at the hospital and helped pack and ship over a hundred express orders of cookies, candy and chocolates.
Then she and Jerry had spent several exhausting hours yesterday fulfilling last-minute deliveries around town.
As they’d finished, she couldn’t ignore a pang of longing.
As much as she loved bringing joy to others, it only amplified her loneliness.
She’d made a promise to herself that she wouldn’t succumb to the comfort of staying at home, wrapped in her soft flannel pajamas, binge-watching her favorite show. Because if she stayed here alone, she’d constantly check for messages from Michael, and it would only make the pain worse.
But being alone also hurt. Which option was worse? Facing her loneliness or facing the memories of her failed relationship?
So she’d painted her fingernails a stunning midnight blue, then carefully smoothed out any imperfections.
The blue cashmere sweater she’d borrowed from Isabel was the perfect shade of sapphire.
Could she convince her sister to let her keep it?
The soft fabric clung to her skin and brought out the vibrant color of her eyes.
She might as well look good, even if this wasn’t a date.
Jovi spritzed on some floral perfume, its sweet scent lingering in the air around her.
She’d put on her favorite jeans because the bootcut style elongated her legs and gave her an elegant silhouette.
She took one more long look in the mirror. Not too shabby.
She made her way to the front door, slipping on her favorite puffy winter jacket for added warmth. Then added her best scarf. Nothing wrong with a touch of sophistication to enhance her outfit. Before leaving, she popped a breath mint and grabbed her purse along with a small box of sweet treats.
Stepping outside, the chill of the winter air pierced her lungs.
Above her, a full moon illuminated the inky black sky, casting a soft glow over the snow-covered ground.
As she made her way down the driveway, each step crunching through the powdery snow, anticipation coursed through her veins like a steady stream.
But as she reached the halfway point to Burke’s cabin, doubt and nerves slowed her steps.
Was this really a good idea?
After all, she wasn’t exactly in the best place for a relationship right now.
Even if she were ready to date again, Burke was the last person she should consider.
Their families had been tangled in a sticky web of lingering suspicion for decades.
But at least Darby Jane would be there, so they wouldn’t be alone.
The little girl’s bubbly personality would surely steal their attention away anyway.
Relax. Have fun. There’s no need to worry.
She smoothed down her freshly styled hair before climbing the steps of Burke’s porch, her boot heels thumping against the wooden planks.
She knocked, expecting Darby Jane’s enthusiastic welcome.
But instead, Burke opened the door, his mouth dropping open as his eyes roamed over her.
A spark of attraction flared in her stomach.
Jovi. No!
She quickly stuffed down the absurd notion.
Burke cleared his throat, drawing her attention to the way his Adam’s apple bobbed. A slow smile parted his lips. “Hey. You look stunning this evening.”
Oh, boy. Not helping. Might be a long evening. “Thank you.”
He motioned for her to come inside. She stepped into his cabin, inhaling the familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke.
He closed the door behind her with a soft click.
She handed over the white cardboard box wrapped with the company’s signature ribbon. “A little something for you and Darby Jane.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Burke accepted the box, eyeing the label.
“I wanted to.” She shrugged out of her coat. “Besides, I get a family discount.”
“Hard to pass that up, right?” He extended his hand. “Let me hang that up for you.”
As he draped her coat and scarf on a nearby hook, she snuck a glance at him. He wore a purple sweater over a gingham-checked button-up, dark-washed jeans with tasteful distressing, and buttery leather driving moccasins. And he smelled incredible: spicy and clean and undeniably masculine.
She quickly looked away when he faced her, feigning interest in the floorboards at her feet. Had he caught her staring? Suppressing a coy smile, she followed him to the kitchen. A girl couldn’t help but notice a well-dressed man, could she?
As she stepped into the room, she was met with a warm and inviting glow.
“Oh, my.” She stopped in the doorway, scanning the comfortable space. Her eyes slid from the dining table to the kitchen counter, where six different candles flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
“Sorry. It’s a bit much.” He winced, his prominent cheekbones tinged with pale pink. “Darby Jane helped set the table before she left. The candles were her idea.”
Jovi swallowed hard. “Left?”
The timer beeped, and Burke placed the treats on the counter before shutting off the noise. “She had a last-minute offer to spend a few hours with some girls in her class tonight. One of the other moms will bring her home later.”
“Sounds fun.” Her voice came out in a squeak.
So awkward. Unease settled in her stomach.
The buffer she’d hoped for between them was gone, leaving them alone.
Romantic, first-kiss alone. In his cozy cabin surrounded by flickering candles and Adele’s soulful music streaming from a speaker somewhere.
A delicious smell wafted from the old stove, making her heart race and warning bells sound in her head.
The chemistry zinging between them was undeniable. Now would be a great time to leave.
Instead, her feet stayed rooted to the floor. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Would you mind slicing the bread?” He angled his head toward a package of French bread, a knife, and the tub of butter beside a cutting board on the counter.
“Sure.” Easy enough. She washed her hands at the sink, then dried them with a paper towel, humming along to the familiar pop hit.
“What can I get you to drink? There’s sweet tea, lemonade, milk or water.” Burke’s voice sounded closer than she expected. “Or feel free to combine the lemonade and sweet tea, if you’d prefer.”
“Yes, please. That’s my kind of combo.” Jovi smiled at him over her shoulder. Their gazes locked and held. Her palms started to sweat. She quickly averted her gaze and reached for the bread knife.
“So.” She cleared her throat. “Since Darby Jane’s not here, maybe now is a good time to ask. Have you figured out why our families stopped speaking to one another?”
Ice cubes rattled inside a glass. Then the fridge door squeaked. Adele kept on crooning. Burke didn’t answer.
Oh, no. Had he discovered something scandalous? She set the knife back down and slowly turned to face him. He stood at the counter beside the refrigerator and calmly poured tea over the ice in the glass.
Jovi wiped her damp palms on her jeans. “What is it?”
Burke traded the tea pitcher for a carton of lemonade, his expression unreadable. “A woman I’ve never met spoke to me at the grocery store. Evidently, she’d heard we’d been to Frosty Frolic together and had coffee at Alpenglow.”
Jovi winced. “Seriously? Who was it? And please tell me she wasn’t rude.”
Burke hesitated.
She accepted the drink he offered her, but carefully set it aside. “My dad and my sister sent me texts as well. I—I had no idea my family had strong feelings about us…hanging out.”
“Me either.” He rubbed his fingertips across his chin. “The woman at the store made it clear she wasn’t pleased that you and I have been spotted in public together.”
“Whatever.” She shook her head. “I’ll speak to my parents and Isabel about their concerns. But strangers in the grocery store? That’s absurd. People need to find something else to do besides gossip about who we’re having coffee with.”
Burke chuckled. “I’m quite flattered that they care.”
“I’m glad you can laugh. I find it irritating. You’ve survived the unimaginable. Moved across the country with your sweet little girl to find a fresh start. It’s quite impressive.”
Something undecipherable flashed across his face. The music, the refrigerator’s hum, a truck driving by outside, all of it faded into the background as they stood in his kitchen, staring at one another. A fluttery sensation started in her stomach and spread to her extremities.