The thought was dangerous as hell, but he couldn’t help it. That was how this felt lately. He and Kincaid were acting like a couple.

He eased back from the kiss and smiled at her. “They’re going to love it. And even if they hate it, they’ll lie because they love us.”

She laughed and smacked his shoulder. “Shut up. Don’t say that. I want them to be honest.”

“The God’s honest truth is that it’s beautiful,” he said. “Just like the woman who designed it.”

“Beautiful, huh?” She brushed her fingers along the nape of his neck. “Flattery will get you everywhere, writer boy.”

He lifted her up onto the counter, stepping between her legs and nuzzling her neck. “I’m banking on that.”

She leaned her head back and let out a little sigh of contentment. “What was I freaking out about again? My memory’s suddenly very fuzzy.”

He chuckled softly and pressed his nose to her skin, inhaling her scent. “See, you just need me around whenever you get stressed. I’ve got many means of distraction.”

“Be careful,” she said, her fingers tunneling into his hair. “Get too good at that, and I won’t let you leave this time. I’ll lock you in my haunted attic so I can keep you and use you for my wicked purposes.”

The words were like pinpricks along his skin and he stilled.

Kincaid, too observant for her own good, let out a breath. Her fingers gripped his hair and she lifted his head, giving him a patient look. “Don’t panic, pumpkin. I’m just messing with you.”

He frowned. “I’m not panicking. I just—”

“Will leave. I know,” she said with an eye roll. “I’m aware. I promise I’m not changing the rules on you or trying to lay a guilt trip. It was just a joke.”

He searched her face, trying to get a read on her. “Would you want me to stay?”

She blinked like he’d snapped his fingers in front of her and leaned back a little. “What?”

“If that were an option,” he asked carefully, “would you want me to stay?”

She gave him a perplexed smile. “Would I want my best friend to live in the same town as me again?” she asked. “That’s a stupid question. Of course I would.”

Her best friend. The words rang loud in his ears.

“But I also know that my best friend has dreams of traveling a lot more of the world, and I know he hated living in this town, so I’d tell him he was crazy to stay here just to hang out with me. No matter how awesome I am. But”—she said, touching her forehead to his—“he better damn well visit more going forward.”

Ash let out a long breath, absorbing the words. He’d needed to hear them. His mind had spun off down some path tangled with logic-eating vines. He was making the same mistake he’d made last time. He was reading more into something with Kincaid than was there. It didn’t matter that they were sleeping together. Kincaid would forever see him as her best friend. Nothing more.