“Well then, you probably shouldn’t have told everyone we’re engaged. You know people take that seriously around here. I might be a ruined man if you leave me at the altar.” When she didn’t laugh, he turned serious. “It’s all right, chèrie. I’ll tell everyone it was only a joke on your part. I’ll have Sera spread the word that we’re nothing more than friends.”

“Can I have some time before you do that?” She was confused and the last thing she wanted was more curiosity about them. “I’m not going to lie to you. I think I was way more invested in our relationship than you were.”

“Until I thought I lost you. Sometimes men are dumb and we get happy and don’t want things to change, but we can grow up mighty fast when we need to. I’m not going to lie to you either. I want to marry you. If I wasn’t such a gentleman, you might have found yourself with a ring on your finger this morning.”

Ah, but the question was why the sudden change of heart? Did he feel guilty about the cash and marrying her would wash some of that blame away? Or had he realized he needed a partner in this business and she might be a good one? The situation was complex and she needed to think. “Can I have some time?”

“Time away from me? Not physically, of course, but do you want me to back off? Not touch you, not try to be close?”

Did she want him on the couch? She’d been willing to sleep with him when they had an expiration date. That hadn’t changed except she had a decision to make. It would be smarter to stay away from him—as far as she could and certainly emotionally.

“No. I’m a dumb girl. I miss you. I miss you holding me and kissing me. I want that for as long as I can, but I’m not promising anything else. I’ll probably go home when this case is over.”

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He turned to her, his hands cupping her face as he leaned over and kissed her. “Everything I can. I thought you would be miserable in a town like this, but you belong here. You need this weird place, and god knows we need you. Every town needs a queen.”

She didn’t know about that, but she melted in his arms. It was foolish, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“Uhm, you want sugar with your coffee?” Zep was behind them, holding a tray. “The cook’s already working if you want breakfast.” He set the tray down at a table in front of the bay windows. “I’ll bring out some beignets while you decide.”