Page 55 of Best Kept Secret

She turned her gaze on him, and he smiled, glad to finally have her full attention.

“It’s about Jared.”

“Uh-oh.”

He chuckled. “It’s actually good news.”

“Well, don’t keep me waiting!”

“He and Amanda are going out of town for the July Fourth weekend. I’ll have the apartment all to myself.”

Her chest heaved, and his gaze drifted down. Knowing what was underneath her shirt made him swell with desire. He wanted so badly to move on to the next phase of their relationship, and he hoped she wanted that too.

“Well, sort of,” he added when she didn’t immediately respond.

“What do you mean?”

“I was kind of hoping I’d have company.”

She licked her lips, her full pink lips that he was dying to kiss…

“You mean Annie?”

He shook his head. “I meant you.”

She swallowed hard and studied him intently. “What are you suggesting…exactly?”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I’m inviting you to stay with me that weekend, unless you don’t want to.”

“Are you kidding? I’d love to!”

“Great!”

Then her face fell. “Are you going to tell Jared?”

“I will if he asks, but I wasn’t going to volunteer it. He knows we’re dating, Kelsey, but he doesn’t need to know every intimate detail.”

She nodded. “You’re right, but I might tell him since it’s his apartment too.”

How had he gotten so lucky? She was such a warm, caring, and honest person, and he didn’t deserve her.

“Will we get to spend time with Annie too?” she asked, looking hopeful.

He hadn’t discussed the weekend with Sonia yet. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“You just have to check with Emily, right?”

It might have been his imagination, but he thought she sounded skeptical when she said Emily’s name.

“Right.” Of course, he’d have to check with Sonia, not Emily. God, I really need to fess up.

“If Emily doesn’t have plans, maybe I’ll get to meet her too.”

Tell her now. No, don’t. Wait until the weekend, when you’ll be together the whole time.

“You’re really anxious to meet her, aren’t you?”

“Yes! I’d love to meet the mother of this sweet little girl,” she said, brushing Annie’s cheek right over her mole.