Page 43 of Too Good to Be True

“It doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

“Not at all.”

Stacy sighed. “It was all very innocent. After we bumped into each other at the store, he asked if I wanted to go for donuts. I think he was just lonely.”

“Lonely? A man like him doesn’t have to be lonely.”

“He doesn’t know that many people here, and he probably feels comfortable with me since I’ve been training him.”

“Mm-hmm.” Kelsey didn’t sound convinced.

“Anyway, while we were eating donuts, he asked about my plans for the weekend. I mentioned yardwork—”

“And he happily volunteered to help you. That’s a little odd, don’t you think?”

“I did at first, but he really seemed to enjoy it. Until we got caught in the downpour, that is.”

“Let me guess what happened next. You went in to dry off, and since he didn’t have a change of clothes, he had to walk around in a towel while his clothes dried.”

Stacy tilted her head and scowled, though Kelsey’s version sounded more intriguing. “Seriously? That only happens in romance novels. Anyway, he had a change of clothes in his car, so there was no parading around in a towel.”

“Tell me you wouldn’t have liked to see that.”

Stacy averted her gaze out the window, where a chickadee had just landed in the maple tree. She pretended she’d never seen such a lovely bird before, until Kelsey tapped her on the arm.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, Stace. You can admit you’re attracted to him. The earth won’t cave in or anything.”

An image of Nick raking sprang to mind, his arm muscles bulging with the effort and his shirt riding up. Then, after the storm, when his hair was damp and water droplets glistened on his tanned skin.

“Fine. I’m attracted to him. Satisfied?”

“I think the feeling’s mutual.”

“What? You’re crazy.”

“His eyes lit up when he talked about all of your weekend…activities.”

“He’s an expressive person.”

“He kept looking at you like he wanted your approval.”

“He’s my student.”

“Did you kiss him goodbye?”

“What? NO!” Stacy glanced at the door, hoping nobody had heard her shout.

“Settle down. I was just asking.”

“Well, stop. Nothing…unprofessional happened.” The hug didn’t really count, did it? People hugged all the time, even strangers.

“Okay. I can see you’re getting uptight about this, but can I just say something?”

“No, you may not.” Stacy didn’t expect that to stop Kelsey, and she was right.

“Don’t let the age gap bother you. You’re attracted to him, and he’s attracted to you, so just relax and let it happen.”

“Let what happen? Nothing is going to happen.”