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“Yeah, it is.”

“An unexpected turn of events.”

“Tell me about it.”

She smiled. “Okay, then. Um, thanks for a really nice evening.”

He nodded and watched her duck into the house. When the front door closed behind her, he breathed in the cold air, waiting for his body to calm down. Five minutes later, it was just as aroused as it had been. He sighed heavily as he walked to his SUV, knowing it was going to be a very long night.

Dena knew that being a planner was one of her best qualities. It kept her life organized and allowed her to get through her day. She was almost always prepared, and she liked that. When there was a problem in her life, she thought it through and came up with a plan, which explained why she was standing outside Micah’s suite, ready to tell him she’d come up with a solution.

Not that the kiss had been a problem, exactly. It was more of an issue. Or a complication. One she was going to deal with directly, because that was what she did. Mostly.

With that in mind, she knocked firmly, then stepped back and waited. The door opened seconds later. Micah smiled when he saw her.

“Dena, hi.”

The combination of the extra-sexy smile and seeing him was a little more of a turn-on than she’d expected. Her toes immediately curled in her boots, and she felt herself smiling in return.

He stepped back to let her in.

“I was thinking about you,” he said, taking her coat and hanging it on the rack. “You just back from school?”

“I am.”

He took her hand and led her to the sofa. His fingers were warm, and he looked good when he drew her down next to him. She just wanted to shift closer and have him wrap his arms around her and—

Ack! She scooted back a couple of feet. No! She was on a mission. She had a plan.

“We need to talk about the kiss,” she told him.

The smile returned, only even sexier this time, which she wouldn’t have thought was possible.

“I’d like to talk about the kiss,” he said as he took her fingers in his and rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand. Tingles immediately moved up her arm and settled in her girl parts.

Surrender seemed the easiest option, she thought, swaying slightly. Resisting him was futile. The man was—

The plan, she reminded herself firmly. This was about the plan.

“We can’t,” she said, as much to herself as him. She pulled her hand free of his mesmerizing touch. “Kiss. We can’t kiss again.”

His smile faded. “Why not?”

“You’re not ready. In some ways you’re still recovering from your accident. Even more significant, you’re dealing with the loss of Adriana. She was your one true love, and that changes things. You have to honor the pain you’re feeling. I think that’s why you can’t write, and you need to be writing, Micah. I know you miss it. I just want to help.”

He frowned. “You’re assuming a lot.”

“I know, but I’m not wrong. This isn’t a good time for kissing.”

“It seems like a fine time to me.”

She ignored him. “We’re friends. Let’s keep that going. We get along, and we have fun together. It’s important to have people in your life, especially at the holidays. I want that.”

His gaze was steady. “To be my friend?”

“Yes. It’s the most sensible plan.”

He rose and pulled her to her feet. “You know what? You should be going, because I just got an idea for a song I want to write.”