Page 11 of Just One Spark

Tears stung my eyes.I thought we were friends but didn't think she'd love that I was dating her brother.Her supportive reaction made everything worse.I was lying to her and her family.I pulled back, my chest tightening with every word."I guess we are."

Clara rested a hand over her heart."I just love this for Rowan.He's opening his brewery, and he found the love of his life."

I should correct her, tell her it was an accident.That we were only engaged by crazy circumstance and that it didn't mean anything.I wouldn't be her sister-in-law.I wasn't part of her family and never would be.Rowan deserved someone so much better than me.The darkness in my family permeated everything.I wouldn't expose the Hart family to that.But I was in too deep, and there didn't seem to be a way out.I didn't want to go back on my agreement with Rowan.

Over the years, I'd kept myself apart from my friends, not sharing anything personal.I worried if I was close to anyone, then they'd know details about my family, and I wasn't willing to share those with anyone.I kept everything tucked away.

But Rowan had unknowingly thrust me into the public eye.I was associated with the Harts, which would naturally bring more scrutiny, especially since he was opening the brewery soon.I wasn't prepared for any of it.But I couldn't talk to Rowan about my concerns without telling him everything that had happened in my life since we stopped being friends.

"I had no idea you were even interested in him, much less were dating in secret.Whatever happened between you guys?"

"We grew up.It was awkward to be friends with a boy.You know how it is.You have different interests, and you grow apart."

"I remember Rowan being upset about it.He used to ask Mom why you didn't want to be friends anymore.As if he was worried that he'd done something wrong."

My heart squeezed at the idea of hurting Rowan.I hadn't wanted to.But it had been necessary at the time."He didn't do anything wrong.I was a teenager, and I probably didn't handle it like I should have.I feel bad about it."

"When did you start seeing each other?"

My face heated.We definitely hadn't discussed specifics.Beck would remember that we ran into each other at Hart's Restaurant.Weren't lies better if they were based on truths?"I ran into Rowan at one of his tastings, and we started talking again."

Clara's eyes lit up."Beck said something about that last night.That Rowan seemed interested in you at the time.He'd wondered if there was something there."

"Well, he was right about that."Beck thought Rowan was interested in me?We'd stopped being friends before I felt any sort of a crush for a boy.What I had with Rowan was just friendship.

Had he crushed on me when we were younger?If so, I had no idea.Maybe he was just an old friend wondering what happened between us.We were kids back then, and we hadn't talked in years.There was no way he liked me.He didn't even know me anymore.So much had changed in my life.

There were things that Rowan and the Harts would never have understood.They never had to deal with personal tragedies or even struggle with anything.Everything they touched turned to gold.If they opened a new business, it was immediately successful.They were the community's golden family, and I didn't want to tarnish their reputation.Rowan was the one who'd thrust me into this situation, and he needed to get me out of it.Because I was lying to the one friend I'd allowed myself to have over the last few years, and I hated it.

I needed to talk to Rowan, but at the same time, I wanted to stay away from him.Every moment we spent together only enhanced the lie and made everything worse.

"I need to open the store, but I just wanted to stop by and congratulate you."She hugged me again and paused to top off her hot chocolate.She pushed open the door and looked back at me."I still can't believe you're dating my brother.It's so crazy."

I laughed weakly, wondering how long I could keep this going.

Then she stepped out of the truck and closed the door.I crossed the small space to lock it.I didn't feel comfortable being in the truck on early mornings and late nights without the added protection.Security was one more reason why a storefront would be the more logical choice.But who would buy that much hot chocolate?

The truck was the best option for now.Hopefully, I wouldn't have to work in it forever.And eventually, I could hire someone to sell for me, so I wasn't covering all the shifts.It was a dream, but I could almost believe it would come true someday.

I just needed to deal with the pesky issue of a certain Hart brother who'd thrust me into the spotlight I didn't want.I needed to get through the next few weeks, and then he'd be out of my life.

I tried not to think about how good it had felt to be in his arms last night when we were dancing.Or how protected I felt sitting next to him in the carriage with his arm over the back of my seat.He'd been so attentive, so interested in what I had to say.It was nice.

A few people stopped by for hot chocolate, commenting on the flurries that were starting to fall.Apparently, the forecast called for accumulation later in the day.I tried not to think about it.The cold weather was good for business, but snow made it difficult for me to get to and from work.I didn't have a car, so I couldn't leave the truck in town.

I mixed more hot chocolate and sipped it while I waited for things to pick up.I usually got customers before the stores opened for the day, and then, if there were moms or dads shopping with their kids, I might get a few more customers later in the morning.Then there was the afternoon crowd, but they usually needed the caffeine pick-me-up that only coffee could provide.

Nights were the best sales times for me if I could get a gig with a winter festival or light trail.I'd been parked next to the holiday light trail in Christmas Town most nights for the season.Everyone worked hard at the beginning of their businesses.I had to make this work.I didn't have a backup plan, and I wanted to make people happy.

I was just cleaning the counters with a warm rag when there was a sharp rap on my window.I frowned when I saw it was Rowan.

I opened the sliding window."What are you doing here?"

He considered me for a second and tipped his head to the side."Is that any way to greet your fiancé?"

I groaned because he wasn't my real fiancé, but he was just as annoying as one."Come around to the door.I'll let you in."

He grinned as if that's what he wanted to happen.I unlocked the door and held it open for him.He stepped inside, his size dwarfing the space.