Lambert's Peace by Rachel Hauck Page B

from his, their eyes met.
    He cleared his throat and stepped away, holding her steady with one hand on her elbow. “Can you stand?”
    She jerked her suit jacket into place and smoothed her wet hair. “I think so.” She hiccupped a giggle.
    Will felt lost in time and space. He couldn’t breathe. “You need help to the door?” he croaked. The moment was charged with emotion.
    â€œI should change my clothes.” She inched forward slowly. “So much for impressing the bosses.”
    â€œI can drive you home.” He pulled his keys from his pocket and pushed the remote access button. The alarm chirped and the lights flashed.
    â€œNo, thanks. I’ll take my car.”
    He started to protest, but one look told him her guard was up. “Would you like me to bring back coffee from Peri’s?” She paused at the door.
    â€œYes, thank you. A large fat-free latte?”
    He nodded, striking the air with keys in hand. “One fat-free latte.”

ten
    As the gray day faded to black, a fresh snow fell. Taylor glanced at her watch then massaged the back of her neck.
    â€œCalling it a night?” Will stood in her doorway.
    â€œI guess so. It’s six thirty. I’m getting a little hungry.”
    â€œCan I buy you dinner?”
    Taylor shook her head. It took her most of the afternoon to get rid of the image of him holding her, a dusting of snow on his head and shoulders. “Mom has lasagna waiting.”
    Will’s eyes widened with a twinkle. “Trixie makes a mean lasagna.”
    Taylor shut down her laptop, which she’d brought from home to use for the afternoon. Her parents would love to see him. But she’d made it clear they were just friends. If they kept hanging around together, everything would get confused.
    But when she looked up at him, she said, “I’m sure Mom wouldn’t mind setting another plate.”
    Clicking off the office light, Taylor walked with Will to her car. She dropped her laptop into the passenger seat, then regarded him for a moment. “Thank you. For the job.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” He slipped his arm around her waist.
    Her back stiffened, and she pressed her hands against his chest. Though, inside, she felt like a toasted marshmallow. “I guess we’d better get going.”
    â€œTaylor, I …” He looked into her eyes, tipped his head, then slowly touched his lips to hers, tenderly but with passion.
    The kiss ended too soon. Caught up in the moment, Taylor couldn’t speak. She cleared her throat and muttered, “Wow.”
    He laughed and kissed her forehead. “Is that a good wow?”
    She stepped around him and slipped into her car. “See you at the house.”
    â€œYeah, see you there,” Will said, shutting her door shut and walked to his truck. In the side mirror, she watched him, tears stinging in her eyes. She couldn’t love him again. She wouldn’t.
    She cried for several minutes; then she pulled herself together and drove home. But by the time she parked in the driveway, her tears had given way to ire.
    Will parked his truck behind her. She jerked open the car door and stepped out.
    â€œDon’t you ever kiss me like that again,” she said, pointing at Will as he walked toward her.
    He didn’t flinch. “I meant that kiss.”
    In the porch light, she could see the solid lines of his face. His warm breath smelled like mints. “I don’t care what you meant, Will. Don’t ever, ever kiss me like that again.”
    â€œI’m in love with you.” He settled against her car.
    In the cold, her voice rang out like bells. “Ha! In love with me? You’re not in love with me; you’re in love with a memory.”
    â€œNo, I’m in love with you. Always have been.”
    She laughed, slapping her hand on her forehead. “Oh, right, I forgot. You wanted to marry me, but I said no. Then you chased me