Over the years, she’d lost so many people from her life. But her dad had always been her one constant. She couldn’t lose him too. Just the thought of being alone in this world terrified her in ways nothing else had.

That was why she’d decided it was time to find someone to settle down with. Because if something ever happened to her father, she would at least have a husband to lean on. Someone to fill the void her father would evidently leave in her life. The only reason Josh had won Preslee’s single guy lottery was because the two of them had so much in common when it came to their shared interest in antiques. But marriages weren’t built solely on commonalities.

She smiled back at Josh. “I don’t mind telling you what happened. In fact, maybe you can help me make sense of it. Because Lord knows I can’t understand any of it.”

Josh listened intently as she told him the whole story. Well, okay, maybe not the whole story. Because she definitely left out the parts about how she’d wanted to get his attention and how Adam had volunteered to help her with that. Funny thing though. Now that she had Josh’s undivided attention, all she could think about was Adam.

Go figure.

“So that’s basically what happened,” Preslee said, sighing. “He swore that he was planning on telling me the truth when we talked later and that he was going to confess everything, but I’m just not sure what to believe. I mean, he lied straight to my face several times.”

Josh cocked his head. “I understand why you’re upset. But maybe he really was going to tell you the truth. What about giving him the benefit of the doubt?”

“I did that when I asked him what was in it for him. Repeatedly. He chose to lie to me over and over again. And he used me. I don’t appreciate that.”

Josh leaned back in his chair. “Do you love him?”

The question caught her off guard, and she faltered. “I, uh…” She closed her eyes to center herself as her heart pounded relentlessly against her rib cage. Then she opened them and gazed at Josh. “Yes. Unfortunately, I do. I didn’t mean to fall for Adam, but it happened. It doesn’t matter now though. I don’t even know how he feels about me. Or if he ever felt anything for me.”

“That’s easy,” Josh said, grinning. “Adam is so in love with you that he’s oblivious to everyone around him. When you’re in the room, the only thing he sees is you.”

She squinted at him. “Why do you say that?”