Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke Page A

She’d already given thirteen hours to the store today.
    “You’re a workaholic.” The clicking of Kate’s pen echoed across the phone line.
    “Right back at you, babe.” Hannah lined up her outfits for the week in the closet. She found it much easier to get dressed at four in the morning when you didn’t have to think about what you were putting on.
    “You’re really not going to tell me.” Kate quieted her pen.
    “Tell you what?”
    “About your date. I’m stuck in K-Falls with no prospects. Let me live through you a little.”
    She did the highlight reel for Kate, omitting Mason’s anxiety about the card. And that he’d made it inside the apartment. Kate would be even more disappointed than Hannah at how the card had ruined the mood of the evening.
    His protective side had come out, and as attractive as it was, it had killed any thoughts Hannah had of sleeping with him. Mason seemed more boyfriend material than one-night stand.
    “When are you seeing him again?” Kate asked with a sigh.
    “Not for a while. I’m swamped at work. Which is why I never date during holidays.” Lying back on her bed, Hannah glanced at the clock. Eight-thirty and already so tired she’d dressed for bed. Thank goodness, she closed tomorrow and didn’t have to be in until after lunch.
    “Exactly how long is a while?”
    “I have next Thursday off, so he’s going to see if he can work his schedule so we can spend the day together.”
    The rap at the door had her sitting bolt upright. Her heart beat in her throat. She hadn’t buzzed anyone up. The card had her more on edge than she’d realized.
    “Somebody’s here.” She rose from the bed and flipped on the lights as she made her way across the living room and to the door. She peered through the peephole. “Mason,” she whispered into the phone.
    “He’s there? Stop wasting time with me, honey. One of us needs to get a little action.”
    Hannah ended the call and looked down, cursing her sister. Molly always gave her things from the upscale lingerie store she managed. Really great things Hannah couldn’t resist.
    “Just a minute,” she called as she scurried to grab a robe to cover the sage-green stretch-lace chemise she wore. Hannah loved lingerie but wasn’t sure she wanted Mason to know just how much yet. He’d definitely get the wrong idea, she thought as she cinched the belt on an ivory satin robe.
    She took a quick look in the bathroom mirror on the way to the door and cursed herself for having washed her makeup off already.
    Hannah opened the door slowly, hiding her body behind its bulk.
    “I tried to call, but you didn’t pick up.” He stayed in the doorway. “I got my schedule for next month and I wanted to check it with yours before I volunteer for extra shifts.”
    Hannah smiled. He looked so good just standing there in his work clothes. Judging by the duffle bag at his feet, he’d come straight from work, not even bothering to stop in upstairs.
    Why was it she looked at him standing there and felt her temperature rise, her stomach tighten? Could he possibly be just that sexy? She opened the door wider but he stayed in the hall. “Do you want to come in or discuss it here?”
    “I didn’t want to assume.” He dropped his bag inside the doorway and stepped inside. She crossed the room and grabbed her phone so they could compare calendars. She turned to face him and watched him swallow hard. Twice.
    “Are you thirsty? I have wine and soda. Kate has four kinds of vodka in the freezer.” She smiled at that last one. Mason drinking green-apple-flavored vodka was a funny thought. Though she didn’t know what he drank.
    “Did you know I was coming?” he asked, his voice raspy and dry.
    “No. Why?” He’d barely stepped into the room.
    “Are you seeing someone else? I know we’ve only been on one date, but I thought you were single.” His eyes were carefully fixed on hers.
    “Mason, I can hardly find the time to date you. How am I going