Harlequin Special Edition: June 2022 Box Set 2 of 2 by Darby Baham

Author:Darby Baham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Ella rubbed two fingers against her chest as she walked up the path to Josh’s house twenty minutes later. His comment about going to Mara for advice made sense. She reminded herself of that over and over, but somehow it didn’t make it hurt any less.

In a few weeks, when she was out on assignment again, this time wouldn’t matter. Her final summer in Starlight would seem like a distant memory, along with Josh and the way he made her feel.

She wouldn’t think about him or Anna or wonder what might have been if she was a different person. A better woman. Once she settled into her career and the relentless travel and all that came with it, there would be no time to ruminate over the people she’d left behind.

It would be simple to walk away. Heck, she could do it now if she needed to, even after what they’d shared earlier tonight, which felt like ages ago at this point.

Just as she lifted her hand to knock, the front door opened. “I thought you weren’t coming back,” Josh said as he frowned at her.

Gone was the personable, easygoing man and in his place, a surly, bristling tortured soul stood in front of her.

“I told you I’d be back.”

He gave a tight nod.

“You didn’t believe me?”

“Trust issues,” he muttered, then sighed. “I’m glad to see you. I missed you.”

One corner of her mouth twitched before she could stop it. “I’ve been gone less than thirty minutes, just like I said.”

His strong features softened as he opened the door wider for her. “I still missed you.”

Easy to walk away, she repeated to herself. Sure it would be.

“Is Anna still in her room?”

He glanced behind him, then returned his gaze to Ella. “She’s watching TV.”

“I brought supplies.” She patted the duffel bag looped over one shoulder.

“What kind of supplies?”

She winked and edged past him. “You’ll see.”

She blew out a breath as she moved forward. Was she in any position to offer the comfort she wanted to give? Her heart squeezed as she approached the sullen little girl wrapped in a blanket on the comfy sofa. “How’s it going, kid?”

Anna didn’t take her eyes off the television. “I really wanted to sleep over.”

“I know, but you did the right thing leaving. Fun isn’t very fun when it comes at the expense of other people.”

“I guess,” the girl agreed.

“What do you think about the two of us doing our own spa night?”

Anna shifted, although she looked doubtful. “You don’t seem like you know how to do a spa night. Aubrey’s mom wears lots of makeup and has really shiny hair.”

Ella frowned as she touched a hand to her messy bun. “I appreciate great skin care as well as the next person.” She could feel Josh watching her from the doorway to the family room and wondered for a moment what he thought about her hair and typical lack of makeup. Not that it mattered. She didn’t take care of herself to impress a man, and her years of traveling had honed her beauty routine to only what was essential.

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