“Hi, Dante,” she replied, a rush of color flushing her pretty face, and when her fingers slid across his palm, a lot more than his pulse jumped to life.
Yeah, it was a big mistake, but an amazing one too.
Awareness rippled through him and settled where it shouldn’t settle. Even if she wasn’t attached to any of his friends, Dante knew right then that he intended to avoid her. Should be simple enough, between his new job and taking care of Noah.
He felt it safe to guess that he probably wouldn’t even run into her, except perhaps occasionally at Holden’s.
He could live with that.
Feeling calmer, he released Amanda’s hand and shoved his hand in his pocket. For some reason, that action brought a smile to Holden’s face.
“And I’m not responsible for the pizza, other than helping with the delivery.” She smiled, and an unexpected warmth spread through his chest. “However, I’ll take full credit for the organizers in the bedroom closets.”
Surprised lifted his brow. “You did them?”
She nodded.
“Here I thought it was Dex.” He shrugged. “Sorry, and thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Her beautiful smile widened. “Trust me, I know how important storage is, especially for children’s things.”
He blinked and tried to fight the flash of disappointment that rushed through him. Even though she wasn’t wearing a ring—a fact he’d noted within the first thirty seconds of meeting her—she apparently had children and no doubt a boyfriend, because no guy in his right mind would let her get away.
“Amanda is single.” Emily smiled as if she knew what he’d been thinking. “And a teacher. At the daycare.”
Dante’s stomach dropped.
That news was great, but it also wasn’t good.
Holden’s grin broadened. “Yeah, she’s probably Noah’s teacher.”
So much for avoiding the beauty.
Definitely not good. That shot his plan to hell.
Then why was anticipation rushing through him instead of dread?
Chapter Two
By the time Amanda Harrison regained control of her tongue—and her brain that controlled that tongue—the interest lighting her sister’s face was turning into full-blown fascination.
Not good.
She didn’t consider her currentstymiedstate all that remarkable.
Annoying? Yes. A little exhilarating? Sure.
But she’d already left one mystery behind in England, no way did she need to investigate another in her hometown—in the form of her strange reaction to the newcomer. She was practically a newcomer herself. She’d barely been back two months.
And in those few months, her sister had tried to set her up four times.
Oh, she recognized Emily’s expression all too well, and understood that her fascination always led to matchmaking.
This wasn’t good.
Even though Holden’s friend, with his dark skin and warm brown eyes, wasfiner than fine, and gorgeous at the same time, Amanda was not interested. Besides, she knew through her sister that the guy had lost his wife just two years ago.
Despite never being in love, Amanda had to assume he was still going through the grieving process. The last thing the widower needed was people trying tohelphim move on.
