The Gomezes stepped up behind them, and Mr. Gomez put a hand on Kincaid’s shoulder. “You did more than that. You found the perfect house and got the price we could afford. We’re grateful for all the time you took with us.”

Kincaid patted his hand. “It was truly my pleasure. This is why I do this job.” She tipped her head toward Daniela. “Moments like this. Every little girl and boy deserves a room they can feel at home in.”

Emotion pinged through Ash at her words. Every little girl deserves a room they can feel at home in. Kincaid had never been given that growing up. Her room at her mother’s house had been one to survive in, not feel at home in. Now she made sure other kids had a different experience. Ash wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her right there, but that urge felt far too dangerous because it had nothing to do with sex or wanting her. He just wanted to kiss her for being the person she was.

A few more minutes of signing papers and taking care of a few things, and then she and Ash were leaving the Gomezes so the family could start living in their new house. Kincaid was quiet, her expression pensive, as they pulled away. Without thinking, he reached out and took her hand. “You okay?”

She didn’t look his way. “I’m fine. They’re great, aren’t they?”

“They are.” He rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand. “I’m sorry no one ever gave you a room like that.”

Her shoulders stiffened a little, but eventually she glanced over with a soft half smile. “I told you, Ash. I had that room. It was just at someone else’s house.”

The words hit him in a place that made his chest burn. He was happy to know that he’d given her that place for a little while, but it only made it hurt worse to know how important his presence in her life had been to her. Because he’d left her. He’d taken himself and that room away, only thinking of himself and his own grief. “I’m sorry, KC. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you after…everything.”

She frowned his way and gripped his hand tighter. “None of that, okay? We’re not looking back, remember? The past is in the past.”

He nodded and shut up, but his brain didn’t stop going in that direction. The past was in the past. Maybe. But based on his nightmare last night, maybe not.

She turned out of the neighborhood. “Mind if I drop you off at the bookstore? I need to go home and change before I meet with my broker. I can’t face him in the same dress I was wearing yesterday.”

Ash smiled, but anxiety was still pinging inside him. “Yeah, no problem. I’ll get some work done.”

When she pulled up in front of The Stuffed Shelf, she leaned over and kissed him. “See you later?”