Page 91 of His Surrender

I know that tone.

“So …” I reply.

She stops walking and turns to face me. “What happened?”

My stomach flips when I think about it. It’s almost too much to put into words.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, please.” She waves a hand dismissively. “Yesterday morning, the two of you could barely make eye contact without looking like someone had died.”

I laugh. “And this morning?”

“This morning, he looked at you like he couldn’t get enough. And don’t even get me started on whatever that weird ‘I had good motivation’ comment was.”

I bite my lip, trying not to smile. “It wasn’t weird.”

“It was if you’re supposedly just employer and employee.”

I sigh. “We’re … not.”

Sydney folds her arms. “I knew it.”

“No,” I say quickly. “Not like that.”

She waits for me, knowing I’ll cave.

I stare down into my coffee. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Her foot begins to tap on the ground as her patience seems to wear down. “Mmhmm.”

“I went to get water.”

“Okay,” she says, seeming unimpressed.

“He was already in the kitchen. We talked.”

Her eyebrows rise in suspicion. “What kind of talk?”

“The honest kind,” I reply with a shrug of my shoulders.

She smiles knowingly. “And?”

I feel my face warming all over again.

“And …” I laugh softly, unable to stop smiling. “He kissed me.”

Sydney lets out a squeal loud enough that a couple walking their dog glances in our direction.

“I knew it!” She grabs my free hand. “I absolutely knew something had happened. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look happier than he looked this morning.”

I shake my head, still smiling. “I’ve had a crush on that man since I was fifteen.”

Sydney laughs. “And now?”

I think about the kiss, about the smile he gave me over the stove.

I can’t stop smiling.