As I drive to my shop, I try to delete the mental image of Lee while I was leaving the B&B. Her perfect curves molded by that tight sweater dress she was wearing. Her hazelnut hair tied into a messy bun and her knee-high boots inviting me to do very naughty things to the only female friend I have. My wish for this Christmas is being able to bend her over the kitchen counter, spread her legs—while she wears those boots—and eat her.

Stop, Miller.

This just-friends between Lee and I is more complicated as we grow older. Since Cassie arrived into my life, I haven’t dated. Nor do I have any interest in being with a woman. Cassie became my life and Lee, my anchor. I only have time for my girls.

Who the fuck am I kidding? I don’t want to look at anyone else, only at Lee. She’s perfect. I just can’t figure out how to make things work between us.

She deserves a lot more than a washed-out mechanic with a kid. Actually, the only good thing I have going for me is my kid. She’s the best part of me. I’m happy the way my life is though. Do I miss having someone next to me? No, I’ve never had a relationship before. I can’t miss what I don’t have. Screwing up my relationship with Lee because I’m attracted to her isn’t worth it. Not only would I lose a friend, but my daughter would also lose her Lee.

Knightly isn’t her mom, but since Cassie came into my life, she’s been very much like her mom. They have a special bond. My child might look like me, but she acts so much like Lee.

I just don’t know how to get rid of all the emotions Lee provokes. Earlier, when I saw the naked intruder in the B&B, I wanted to kill him because I had visions of him being a one-night stand of hers who wouldn’t leave; I can’t stand the thought of anyone being with her.

I toyed with the idea of being the one guy who deserves her heart. I don’t miss what I’ve never had, but I yearn for what I could have with her. I want her in my arms, my bed, and my house. Every day I try to find time to be with her. At nights I wish I had the courage to kiss Lee, devour her mouth as I touch every inch of her body.

I just can’t ruin our relationship. Maybe one day I’ll be thankful for not fucking up our perfect friendship or regret not acting on my desires. If only I knew how to have a romantic relationship. I park in front of my shop, taking a deep breath as I bury my emotions deep. I stay in there for a long time, watching locals and tourists alike walk around the town square. The small ice rink that the local merchants set up every year is already crowded, and it’s not even ten in the morning yet.

Cassie’s too old to skate in there. She claims that the place is for babies and that she’s ready for the lake. I never thought I’d miss having a baby or a toddler in the house. It was so much fun to play with her.

I remember the day when she learned to skate. It was on the lake. Lee held her hands while I skated backward telling her how to slide one foot in front of the other.

Damn, the image of Lee is back but this time the baby she holds is ours—a little boy. This is so fucking bad.

I pull myself together and get out of the truck and march toward the garage.

Jared’s Car Repair Shop has belonged to my family for a couple of generations. It was my grandfather, Jared, who established it over sixty years ago. He loved cars and could spend hours tweaking an engine until it worked like new. I inherited his passion for fixing things. When I was young, I’d take apart the kitchen appliances just to see how they worked.

Mom tried her best to break that habit by grounding me and signing me up for every sport imaginable. Skiing, snowboarding, skating, ice hockey, field hockey during the summer, and even soccer. My brother Holden and I never won a medal, but if there had been some contest for who in Kentbury practiced the most competitive sports, we’d have won.

Needless to say, the times when I wasn’t practicing, I was with my uncle at the shop. My parents didn’t like it, but they were too busy with their own lives to stop me from visiting my uncle.

Unlike Grandpa Jared or Uncle Gerry, Dad hates the car shop, the engines, and the grease stains. According to my uncle, he couldn’t wait to get out of town and become something better. Dad, however, never left. He’s worked for the Main Street Bank for as long as I can remember. I, on the other hand, love to get under or on top of a car and spend hours tuning it.

My biggest passion is to take a beat-up old classic and restore it to its former glory.

Dad and I have nothing in common. My parents never understood Holden and me. The only time they were proud of me was when I got the acceptance letter to MIT and a full-ride scholarship.

I have work to do, and without Cassie, I can get more done. My heart stops when I enter the shop and see a message from Lee on my phone.

Lee: Thank you for offering to make me dinner, but I have plans.

Plans? I groan.

Heath: Do you need me to come by later?

Lee: No, I’m busy tonight.

That’s bullshit. She told me she was free tonight, and if I wanted, I could leave Cassie with her. Though, her dad offered to take my kid for the night. They made plans for tomorrow morning. I wish my parents were more like Steve Harris. He’s always treated me like his son and loves Cassie like his granddaughter. Seeing that I was free in the evening, I thought it’d be a good idea to spend it with Lee. We could grab dinner, maybe go to the lake, and a movie by the fire afterward.

But she doesn’t have time anymore. Fuck, I swear under my breath.

That’s not possible, something happened. I rehash the entire morning and our conversation after her dad left with Cassie. My stomach clenches when I figure out the answer—her brothers.

Bishop and Kingston stayed behind to discuss an issue with her. That has to be it. They either pissed her off, or she has to help them with the resort, or the farm. Maybe Chloe is moving out of Bishop’s and Lee has to be around. No, if that’s the case Bishop would be calling me to help out with the move.

I have a niggling feeling that she’s canceling because of them. I swear those two treat her like the oldest of the siblings instead of the baby of the family. They’d be lost without her—just like I would.

Heath: What can I do to help free up your time?

Lee: Nothing.

Nothing?

Is she blowing me off?

If she’s upset with me, she’d tell me. She always does. So then why is she suddenly saying that she’s busy? This is so unlike her. Lee’s a pretty easygoing person. She’s a fighter, one of those people who would make the impossible possible. Even if she had to put out a fire, she’d be free in the evening. She’d call me to help her with it.

Maybe that’s the problem. She’s always taking care of everyone. I try to keep an eye on her. Be the person she needs when she’s falling and there’s no one else around to catch her. With the holidays, there are a ton of emergencies that she has to handle. I try to be there for her and find ways to give her a break. I thought that cooking for her would be nice. She beamed when I offered. There has to be a good reason why she suddenly canceled on me.

Heath: Busy how?

Lee: You wouldn’t understand.

Heath: Why are you canceling on me?

Lee: Like I said, I have things to do. It’s Saturday. I have a life you know.

I stare at the text, analyzing each word. What does having a life have to do with me cooking her dinner?

Did I piss her off?

I work hard to stay away from her bad side. That’s a place where only her brothers belong. Not me. Instead of texting back, I call her, but I get her voicemail—three times.

Looking at the clock, I decide to start working and let her be for now. She is busy and I have a sweet 1963 Corvette waiting to be brought to life. Hopefully, the replacement parts I need will arrive today because there’s a big storm coming next week. The delivery services won’t drive to Kentbury until the roads are clear.

After I put on my work clothes, I try calling Lee one more time with no luck.

“What is happening with you, Knightly Rose Harris,” I say out loud staring at the phone.

I give up and send her one last text.

Heath: I’m sorry if I upset you. Let me make it up to you.