Lacey fires off the run of show to Prentiss, her last email of the day, and then sinks into the kitchen chair with a tired sigh.
Coffins, check.
Flower delivery scheduled, check.
Seating chart seated, check.
She’s done. Finally finished.
For tonight, at least.
She smiles, content. She worked hard today. If this doesn’t seal her promotion, nothing will.
Everything requiring heavy lifting has been assigned to her team of assistants. Normally, she’d hate delegating. Giving someone else control. But as Seth’s reminded her, not to mention the pain in her side, she has to.
He’s saved her by staying. There’s no way she’d be able to do her job, get this party finished without him.
She scowls.
Damn Seth Kincaid. Why does he have to be such a good guy? Couldn’t he be like the hundreds of other losers she’s dated? Guys who think she’s too uptight, a pain in their ass, but a pretty pain in their ass. Guys who want her for a quick hookup and an even quicker goodbye.
Not like she’s dating Seth. Not by a long shot.
Even if he is the only man she’s been with in the last three years.
At the thought, her face goes hot.
She doesn’t know what happens next between them. Seth staying completely changes the ball game. Their ball game. He was leaving, there was no time to talk about them. But what even is them?
She can’t deny she likes having him around. The way he smells. The way he laughs. How he utterly shows up and then some.
They already kissed once. They could kiss more.
Lacey shakes her head and slips out of her chair, moving to the counter for a sip of water.
This can’t happen.
He’s here for Sal. A favor to his best friend. Not a favor to Lacey and her sorta-kinda desire to get naked. Besides, she told him no back in Nashville. And now she’s telling herself no. She can’t start this up again. She knows what she felt the last time they kissed, and it wasn’t anything good. It meant trouble. It meant heartbreak and—
She closes her eyes, inhaling a deep breath to chase away the thoughts.
A wave, breaking on the beach, a wave, taking her out to sea, a wave—
“Hey, you okay?”
Lacey gasps, fear making her freeze up. Her eyes flash open.
Seth’s standing at the front door, sacks hanging off his arms, his worried gaze on her.
“Sorry, I’m—”
“Jumpy,” he finishes. “I get it. I shoulda knocked louder.” His gaze shifts to her laptop. “You get your shit done?”
“Yes, Seth. My shit is finished.” She props a hand on her hip. “How about you? Did the errand go okay?”
“Got it all fixed,” he says, fishing a receipt out of his pocket. He sets it on the counter.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”