Over the next few days, Piper and Mal fell into a routine. It started with Mal making breakfast, then Piper went into town for supplies while Mal worked out. She made them a light lunch before they both worked through the afternoon in their two separate downstairs spaces: he writing new songs and she creating designs. Around six-thirty, Piper would sort out dinner and afterward they’d either watch a movie or listen to some music. It was a simple, peaceful existence and one that Piper was grateful for.

It was on a Thursday afternoon that the pile of balled-up pieces of paper was growing bigger the longer Piper worked. She was trying to work on a new design, and everything she drew was either wrong or way too ambitious for her current skill level. Frustration was getting the better of her. Plus, once she had finished the designs, she really needed to get on with making some prototypes to test out. That meant trying to sort out some tools and a space in which to work. Bronte had given her a heads-up about there being a room at the community center she might be able to use, although it would come at a cost and she didn’t know if she’d be free to use it whenever she wanted. The thought of having to lug her stuff there wasn’t appealing, and she didn’t know if it would be safe to leave it there.

There hadn’t been any sound from where Mal was working for a while. She was getting used to hearing the same chords over and over again as he tried to find the right phrasing for the song. Whatever he created sounded great to her. She often found herself humming along, usually when she was making dinner. She lifted her head, hearing a noise. Mal lurked in the doorway, his hands behind his back.

“You made me jump,” she said lightly. “Is it time for a snack?” She made to stand up.

“Seriously, you don’t have to wait on me hand and foot. I’m perfectly capable of getting a soda from the refrigerator or chips from the cupboard.” He hovered, seeming unsure as to whether to come in. “Are you really involved in something or have you got a minute?”

Piper examined his face, a look of apprehension clouding his handsome features. The first thought that came to her head was that he was about to fire her. “Sure, is everything okay?”

He entered the room and came over to the desk. “Not going so great this afternoon?” He gestured to the rejected sketches on the floor.

Piper shook her head. “No. I can’t seem to get the right look. Everything is either too fussy or too simple. I can’t seem to strike a balance.”

Mal laughed. “Yeah, I understand that. I’m struggling to get this song to work.”

“I thought it had gone a bit quiet over there.” Piper looked down at her latest sketch. “This is rubbish, as well.” She screwed it up and added it to the pile on the floor.

“I might have something that could help.”

Piper watched as Mal brought out what he had been hiding behind his back. He placed it in front of her and she stared at the black plastic box, adorned with a big red bow.

“What’s that?”

“A little something for you. To say I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting and to say thank you for stepping in to this job.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything.” Piper frowned. What on earth was in the box?

“Open it.” Mal gave her a shy smile.

With slightly trembling fingers, she untied the bow and opened the catch. She pulled open the box and her mouth dropped open. Inside was the perfect array of tools to get her started on making the jewelry, when she came up with the perfect design, of course.

“Oh my gosh, Mal! This is wonderful; you didn’t have to do this.” She jumped up and threw her arms around him without thinking. Nestled against his body, the aroma of his spicy aftershave caught in her nostrils and for a moment she was lost in the heady scent. He felt good too. Just as she thought she’d gone too far, he hugged her a little bit tighter. She drew back a little and looked up at him. His pupils were dilated, and she thought he was looking back at her with interest. She blinked; maybe she imagined it. He leaned down toward her, his hair tickling her face, and she held her breath. As his lips were about to meet hers, Piper’s phone started ringing. She and Mal sprang apart, both of them breathing a little heavier. Piper looked at the screen and saw her mother’s phone number flashing.

She turned back to the desk to pick it up. “Mom, hi! Where are you? Hold on a second…” When she turned around to say thank you to Mal, he’d disappeared.

It had been a long time since she’d had a proper conversation with her mother and they talked for a while. Josh had obviously filled her in on Piper’s job with Mal Colten.

“I can’t believe you’re working for a real rock star,” Patty Jarrett said. “I understand there are a lot of unhappy people out there because of his tour cancellation.”

“I think so.” Piper hadn’t discussed that with Mal—she didn’t think it her place. Her thoughts wandered back to their recent embrace. God, he felt amazing, strong, with a built torso and firm arms. What would have happened if her phone hadn’t rung? Would he have kissed her? Would she have responded?

“We don’t really talk that much.” She heard herself lie to her mother. The last thing she wanted was a grilling about the situation. She didn’t know what to make of it herself. Piper only half listened as her mother went on about her and her father’s trip, the sights they’d seen, and the people they’d made friends with. Apparently, this whole senior gap year was a thing and there were lots of fifty-somethings doing the same. Patty and Brian were somewhere near Portland and their plan was to head up country to Seattle and then to Vancouver. Piper couldn’t remember when her mother sounded so excited about something. She certainly didn’t remember them being that intrepid when she was growing up. After promising to call her mother more, Piper finally hung up. The moment between her and Mal had gone, and she wondered whether they would ever have another one.

Her eyes fell on the thoughtful gift he’d bought her. She picked up a couple of the tools and ran her fingers over the smooth steel.

The inspiration she had been searching for struck.

She sat back down at the desk and grabbed her pencil. After a few strokes, the design began to come together, intricate yet simple. It was the quickest design she had ever come up with. Piper sat back and stared at the sketch. If she could get the materials right, it would be perfect. And a certain near-miss in kissing Mal Colten had a hand in its creation.