“What was that watch all about?” he asked instead of commenting.

She gave him a pert look. “What watch?”

“The one you delivered to my house last night.”

“That wasn’t me. You must have another secret admirer.”

He lowered his voice even more. “Harper, I can’t accept such an expensive gift.”

“You can’t return it, either, not if you don’t know who gave it to you.”

“You won’t take it back?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then…tell me why you did it?” he persisted.

She looked up at him. “Because it made me happy. That’s been the best part of my Christmas, so please don’t ruin it by saying you want to give it back to me.”

“It was the best part of your Christmas—and yet it doesn’t mean anything?”

He could see that she was checking to make sure Karoline and Terrance weren’t tracking them. No one was within earshot—they weren’t speaking loudly enough for that—but he knew she didn’t want to be caught talking too earnestly. That would only raise questions she’d be bombarded with later. “It means I wish things were different.”

He tightened his grip on her waist. “Is it over between us?” he asked. “Because it doesn’t feel like it.”

She bowed her head, ostensibly watching their feet so they didn’t get tangled.

“Look at me,” he said. “I’m not going to let you fall.”

Finally, she lifted her head. “If I were only choosing for myself… If I didn’t have two children to consider…”

“Then…”

“I could explore what I’m feeling.”

His heart began to pound. “Which is…”

She didn’t get the chance to answer. Karoline and Terrance came skating up to them, laughing, and Karoline said, “Look, we’re getting the hang of it.”

“You’re doing great,” Tobias said. Then the boys told him they had to go or they’d miss what was left of dinner, and Tobias spent the next two hours trying to give everyone ample time and attention on the ice. It wasn’t until he thought Harper was in the bathroom and he went into the back to turn off the music while everyone was removing their skates that he turned to find her standing in the doorway.

He didn’t speak—and neither did she. They didn’t want to be found out, so they just crossed the room, met in the middle and kissed as though they’d been craving this opportunity since they’d first set eyes on each other. In his case, at least, it was true.

A moment later, Harper was breathing hard as she pressed her forehead to his and put her palm tenderly to his cheek.