Page 65 of Just One Spark

"I think you'd be an amazing mother.Look how much you care for other people."

"I'd have to find the right person too."

I fully intended to be that person for her.I just needed to get a better work-life balance.I was supposed to talk to Malcolm about butting out of the business, but I'd chickened out.I should be all in on my business now.But at the same time, it was my only chance to prove to Hattie that this thing between us was real.

"I'm going to take a bath and do some reading.I haven't had any time off in weeks."

I put my arm over the back of her stool."I can't wait for tonight.I'll have you all to myself."

She smiled."I'm looking forward to that too."

I sighed."We just have to make it through a Hart holiday dinner."

Her brow furrowed."Is it that bad?"

"It's just loud and crazy.If you can handle that."

She relaxed."I think I can."

My family already loved her.I just needed her to see how much I cared for her.

When we finished eating, I said, "I'll clean up.You take your bath."

"Are you sure?"

"I'd rather get in with you.But I want you to relax and enjoy your morning.Besides, I have some things to take care of for tonight."Then I kissed her, slow and sweet.I was going to do this right.

By the time I pulled away, her cheeks were pink, and her eyes glossy.

I smirked."Enjoy your bath."

"You're too good to me," she said.

I grunted."That's not true.I fell asleep on my desk last night."

She paused at the doorway and looked over her shoulder."You're a good man, Row."

My throat tightened, and before I could formulate a response, she was gone.It felt like a goodbye, as if she was mentally pulling away already, even though we had more time.

It was too soon for creating distance or protecting our hearts.It was too late for me anyway.I wouldn't have her giving up on us or dismissing our relationship as fake or pretend.We'd moved beyond all that nonsense.

20

Hattie

Ienjoyed a nice, long bath and even had time to read in Rowan's living room in front of the fire before I had to get ready to go the Harts for Christmas dinner.I stopped by Mom's on the way to drop off preprepared food for her dinner.

I hadn't exchanged presents with Rowan yet.He spent the morning at the brewery.I hoped he was preparing something special for us and didn't get lost in work again.

I understood that he was working hard to build his business and to ensure that everything was ready to go for opening day.But his long hours were starting to feel like a different kind of addiction.I wondered if he was a workaholic and if I was trading one kind of addict for another.

I hated that my mind went there.That I'd compared him to my father.The two addictions weren't alike, yet in a way, they had the same patterns.He'd always choose work first.He could easily be distracted by it.When he was working, he forgot about me entirely.

I didn't want to believe that, but it was getting harder not to wonder about the possibility.I wanted to talk to someone about it, but it would have to wait because it was Christmas.

I parked next to a truck in his parent's driveway.

As I took a deep breath, I reminded myself that we weren't actually engaged.I only had one more week to pretend he was mine.Then I could go back to my old life.The one where I was alone, where I didn't have any support.