Thank God Luke had decided to take a break. Abigail drained the spaghetti and took pasta bowls out of the cupboard. No two ways about it, working on the receipts was an icky experience, a reminder of her shameful negligence.

But as the kitchen filled with the aroma of her favorite spaghetti sauce and Luke walked back into the apartment with Delilah, her mood took a huge swing upward. She might be lousy at bookkeeping, but she was terrific at feeding people.

“Smells great!” He appeared in the kitchen, his cheeks pink from the cold, his faithful dog right behind him. “What can I do?”

Just stand there and look gorgeous. “Could you make sure the box won’t be in the way while we eat? Maybe move it to one side or something.”

“I’m on it.” He started out of the kitchen and Delilah followed. “By the way, it’s snowing.”

“Uh-oh. Are you worried about driving home?”

“Not really. I have four-wheel-drive. Besides, I’m not about to miss out on that spaghetti.”

“I’ll have it ready in a sec.” By the time he came back, she’d dished the spaghetti and ladled on the sauce. “Where’s Delilah?”

“Curled up in a corner looking happy to be here. She thought I was taking her home.”

“But wouldn’t that be a good thing? She loves her home.”

“She does, but she’s also fond of you.”

The way he said it gave her shivers of pleasure. “I’m glad. The feeling’s mutual.” She held up her cheese grinder. “Parmesan?”

“You bet. Classy restaurant you have here.”

She covered the pasta with a light layer of cheese. “Thanks. I don’t fix dinner often.”

“Too busy baking?”

“You’ve got that right. It’s miraculous I had something to give your dog and you.”

“Our good luck.”

“I was planning to offer you wine.” She set down the grinder and grabbed an oven mitt so she could take a cookie sheet of toasted garlic bread out of the oven. “But not if you’ll end up driving home in the snow.”

“Water’s fine for me. And the bread looks awesome.”

“We’re ready.” She spread a cloth napkin in a basket and arranged the bread in it. “If you want to take in the pasta, I’ll bring the bread and silverware.”

“Before I do that, where did you put those candlesticks that were on the dining table?”

“I tucked them in my pantry. A candlelight dinner is a nice thought, but now that we’re tackling that box, I don’t want to chance catching it on fire.”

“No worries. I moved it off the table.”

“Oh?”

He shrugged. “It didn’t add a single thing to the ambiance.”

“You’re a very perceptive guy.” She met his gaze and smiled. “You moved that box for my sake, didn’t you?”

“Whenever you look at it your jaw clenches.”

He was right, but she was touched that he’d noticed. “I appreciate the effort. I promise to get better at this reconciling stuff.”

“You’re doing fine.” His expression was kind. “It’ll get easier.”

“You know what? I believe you. I’ll get the candlesticks and candles. And placemats. Might as well do this right.”

What a difference those added touches made. Removing the box would have been enough to change the dynamic, but candlelight, colorful placemats and cloth napkins turned the impromptu meal into an occasion.

He held her chair before taking his seat across from her. “I have another suggestion.”

“Keep ‘em coming. They’ve worked great for me so far.”

“Let’s talk about something besides business.”

“I’m all for that.” She spread her napkin in her lap and picked up her fork. “I’ve been wanting to ask you something for weeks.”

“Fire away.” He expertly twirled the pasta around his fork and popped it in his mouth. “Mm.”

“My mom’s recipe.”

He chewed and swallowed. “It’s really good.” He gathered another forkful. “So what’s your big question?”

“That conversation we had the night you rescued Delilah. You seemed worried about whether your mom had mentioned that you were single. What was that all about?”

He took a slice of garlic bread. “First let me say that I love my mom. She’s amazing and she and my dad are awesome parents.”

“Disclaimer duly noted.”

He looked amused. “Much as I love my mother, I was afraid she’d been up to her old tricks.”

“Like what?” She tucked into her spaghetti. It always tasted good, but sharing it with Luke made it even more delicious.

“Matchmaking, specifically for her kids.”

“It’s a time-honored tradition, Luke. Moms were probably lining up suitable mates for their children in the Stone Age.”

“That may be, but my mother has taken it to a new level. Hayley got the worst of it. She was so frustrated by Mom’s constant parade of bachelors every Christmas holiday that she introduced Badger as her pretend fiancé.”

“So that’s what was going on. I picked up on some rumors but I never got the whole story.”

“It turned into a Bennett family drama. Mom was devastated to discover that she was the cause of the fake fiancé caper and she promised to quit trying to marry us off.”

“But Badger and Hayley are a couple, right?”

“A couple, yes. While pretending to be in love, they fell in love for real. But they’re not engaged. Hayley wants to make sure they know each other really well first.”

“That’s smart.”

“I think so, too. As to the night you and I met at the GG, you said Mom had been talking about me and alarm bells went off.”

“I can see how they would.”

“I’m sure she’s trying to keep hands off, but it’s tough for her. She’s happily married and thinks her kids should be, too.” He reached for another piece of bread. “I was hoping to keep our relationship on the down-low, but I blew that program on Thursday.”

“Because your mom noticed the lipstick?”

He gave her a sheepish smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, Luke.” She couldn’t help laughing. “I tried to say something, but you—”

“Ran out like my hair was on fire. I’m aware of that. Totally did it to myself.” His gaze warmed. “Worth it, though.”

Her heart rate kicked up several notches. “She would have found out, eventually. We went to the GG together. It’s a small town. People notice things.”

“True. I’m still getting used to that.”

“I’m surprised none of my customers have mentioned seeing me having dinner with you.”

“Would they?”

“If they were there and noticed, definitely. I’m sure it’s common knowledge that I haven’t dated anyone since I moved here.”

“Seriously?” He put down his fork and glanced at her. “Nobody?”

“I’ve been asked a few times, but it just seemed too complicated. I go to bed at eight and get up at three. On Sundays, I sleep an extra couple of hours, but I still can’t stay up late or I’ll be zonked on Monday. That schedule doesn’t mesh with the usual dating routine.”

“But you went out with me.”

“Yes, well…” Her cheeks warmed.

“Which is pretty amazing considering how I bobbled the invitation. I guess you must like me a little.”

She smiled. “Just a little bit.”

“But I’m still surprised you haven’t gone out with anyone. If a guy used his imagination, a lot could happen between four and eight.”

Oh, my. Adrenaline pumped through her system, making her giddy. “That’s what Ingrid says.”

“Good for Ingrid. I knew I liked her.”

“She’s something else. She got Roxanne and me Christmas condoms…” She clapped her hand over her mouth as heat rushed to her face.

He cracked up. “Christmas condoms?”

“I can’t believe I just told you that.”

“Okay, now I have to know. Are they red and green? Red and white striped like a candy cane? Decorated with pictures of snowmen?” He wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.

“No, no! They’re just regular ones.” His laughter was infectious.

“So she just called them Christmas condoms when she gave them to you.”

“Oh, she did more than that. She wrapped them individually in holiday paper and added little tags that said stuff.”

His eyes gleamed. “Like what?”

“Let me think.” She pushed aside her empty pasta bowl. “Things like, Ring in the New Year, Spread Good Cheer, Be Joyful and Triumphant. Like that.”

“That’s hilarious. I’ll have a tough time keeping a straight face next time I see her.”

“Do your best, please. I can’t imagine what made me tell you.”

The laughter faded from his expression to be replaced by something much hotter. “I can. I’ll bet you can, too, if you think about it.”

“Oh, no. Don’t look at me like that. I’m not trying to start something. I’m really not.” Her heartbeat was out of control. “It’s snowing. You need to get home before the roads get bad.”

“If I’d been worried about the roads, I wouldn’t have stayed for dinner.”

That rang true. He’d dismissed the problem in favor of spending time with her. She’d found that dashing. “But you said you’d leave right after.”

“I know. At the time, I meant it.” He pushed back his chair.

She could barely breathe. “I don’t…I don’t want you to do anything foolish.”

“I won’t.” He rounded the table and drew her from her chair. “I was raised in snow country. I can deal with it.”

Her resistance melted in the heat of his gaze. “I’m sure you can. But the last thing I want is to make life more difficult for you.”

“I’ll tell you what would be difficult.” He pulled her close. “Driving home in a snowstorm and knowing I’d given up a chance to be with you.” He held her gaze. “I want to stay, but I haven’t asked what you want.”

She took a shaky breath. “You. I want you.”