Our eyes locked, and a moment passed during which I wondered what life might have been like if our timing had been different. Would I have kissed her on a night like tonight? Would we have been good together? Would we be home in bed by now, wrapped up warm and close beneath the covers?

The thought made the crotch of my pants feel tight.

It also made me feel like a jerk.

Sure, she was lonely, just like I was. But she was also really fucking vulnerable, and she was in here with me—alone, at night—because she trusted me to keep my hands to myself. I was a family friend and an employee. Only a total asshole would take advantage of her in this situation. Not to mention that it would jeopardize my job, my relationship with her family, and my professional reputation.

I took my hand from hers. “It’s getting late. Let me walk you back.”

She pulled her mittens from her pockets and put them on. “You don’t have to walk me back. It’s late, and I’m sure you’re anxious to get home.”

“Let me rephrase that,” I said firmly. “I’m going to walk you back now.”

She narrowed her eyes at me as she tugged her hat on, but she smiled too. “Bully.”

“So fight me.”

She sort of slapped at my chest with her mittened hands, and I grinned as I backed toward the stairs. “That’s it? You really do need that class.”

A few minutes later, we were walking along the path toward the house, snow falling softly around us.

“Are you coming for dinner tomorrow night?” she asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just family, isn’t it?”

“You’re practically family, Henry. And I’m inviting you. I’m surprised my mom didn’t already.”

“She did.”

“There, see?” She nudged me with her elbow. “You’re coming. It’s settled.”

“You know, April once mentioned you could be a bossy know-it-all. I didn’t believe her.”

She put her nose in the air. “I’m the big sister. I get to be bossy sometimes.”

“You’re not my big sister.”

“True,” she said. “Although it is my house. That should count for something. Come on.”

“I will think about your invitation,” I told her.

“Oh, you’re one of those guys, huh?” she asked as we reached her parents’ front porch.

I climbed the steps next to her. “What guys?”

“One of those guys who can’t give in to a woman.” She faced me in front of the door and poked my chest, her expression playful.