Becca smiled. The mountain of pancakes was mostly done, so she pulled a few plates out of the cabinet and looked over at him. “I figured I was being a nuisance. Did I mention that I’m headstrong? I’m also a bit of a control freak. I think that’s why I was set on having my own salon—I like being in charge. So it hurt my feelings a little that you told me to leave, but I also figured I deserved it.”

“I shouldn’t have said that,” he told her, plucking the plates out of her hands. “You helped out a lot, and I know watching Libby is a full-time job on its own.”

She hesitated, feeling shy. “I like her. And I like you.” Their fingers brushed as she let him take the plates, and for some reason that felt more electric than anything she’d ever done with Greg. “Is it true you’re moving back to Alaska soon?”

Hank shot her a curious look. “Who said that?”

“Libby. Is it not true?”

He was silent for a long moment, holding on to the plates. “That’s the plan.”

“Oh.” For some reason, she found that crushing. Here she thought they were truly bonding, getting somewhere, and she was getting attached . . . only for him to be planning to go back to Alaska. He was going to be leaving her behind. “I see.”

“Does that change things? You and me?” He stared at her with intent, dark eyes.

Becca thought for a moment. Her lips parted. She fought back her disappointment and tried to look at it logically. Did it really change anything? They’d been dancing around officially dating, but nothing had been declared other than they liked each other. Nothing had been promised. It was just her nature to think that a date or two led to more. But . . . did it have to? Couldn’t she just like him and enjoy being with him and take it day by day? “I guess we can be casual, right? Have fun with this thing until you leave?”

He nodded once, but the heat in his eyes made her feel like this thing was anything but casual.

“We’ll just take it one day at a time.” She smiled at him.

“One kiss at a time,” he agreed.

And, god, wasn’t she the most impatient of women, because just hearing that made her want to kiss him right then and there.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN