Two Hearts

What If...

Laura's POV

The moment Daniel disappeared into the dressing room, I climbed out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom.

A shower. A cold, refreshing shower.

I needed something to calm down the heat that had completely taken over my body the moment Daniel kissed me.

My lips still felt slightly swollen. Not because we'd spent an hour making out.

Far from it.

But when you haven't been kissed in a very long time—and when the kiss is intense enough to leave you breathless—it tends to leave an impression.

A very noticeable one.

By the time Daniel finally pulled away, neither of us had any air left in our lungs. And somehow, I could still feel his lips on mine. As if the kiss had never truly ended.

While the water ran over my skin, I vaguely heard Daniel say something from the bedroom. I had no idea what. The second I turned on the shower, it felt as though the world disappeared behind a wall of water.

And honestly?

I wasn't paying attention anyway. I was too busy replaying every second of what had happened. Over and over again.

And the strangest part?

I wasn't angry. I wasn't embarrassed. I wasn't even disappointed. If anything, I felt relieved.

It was probably a good thing Daniel had been the one to pull away first. Because we had both been completely caught up in that moment. And if he had kissed me for even a little longer... If he had taken things one step further...

I wouldn't have stopped him. Not for a second.

The truth hit me harder than the shower ever could.

I wanted him.

More than I had ever allowed myself to admit. And that kiss had confirmed it. Every part of me had responded. Every heartbeat. Every breath. Every nerve.

There was no denying it anymore.

I wanted Daniel.

And that realization was both terrifying and exhilarating.

When I finally stepped out of the bathroom, my eyes immediately landed on the bed. The memory returned instantly. The kiss. His hands. The way he had looked at me.

And then...

The way he had practically teleported into the dressing room afterward. I burst out laughing.

"Oh my God..."

If anyone had told me a month ago that the great Daniel Carter would run away from a kiss with me, I would have laughed in their face.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs. The smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted me before I even reached the kitchen.

Of course.

So that's what he'd been saying before I turned on the shower.

Walking inside, I immediately spotted Daniel making coffee. Trying very hard to look normal. Trying very hard to pretend nothing had happened. Which only made it funnier.

Then I looked toward the dining area. And there sat Liza. Drinking tea. Eating a croissant. Looking entirely too pleased with herself.

"Good morning, Liza." I offered a polite smile. "How was your evening? Daniel and I lost you almost immediately after we arrived."

I stepped beside Daniel. Without a word, he handed me a cup of coffee. For a brief second our eyes met. Then both of us looked away.

At exactly the same time.

Which somehow made it worse. My grip slipped. I nearly dropped the mug.

Fantastic.

Completely normal behavior. Nothing suspicious at all.

Trying to recover whatever dignity I had left, I sat across from Liza. Immediately, I felt it.

That look.

Again.

First she examined me. Then Daniel. Then the way he'd handed me my coffee. And then...

She smiled.

A knowing smile. A dangerous smile.

"Good morning, Laura," she replied pleasantly. "My evening was wonderful. I met so many old friends and acquaintances. Time simply flew by."

I nodded. Something about this woman was suspicious. Very suspicious.

"Enjoy your breakfast." I smiled politely and escaped back to the kitchen.

I could practically feel her eyes burning holes through my back.

The moment I stepped into the kitchen area, I moved closer to Daniel. He was leaning casually against the counter, sipping his coffee.

Trying—and failing—to appear relaxed.

Pretending to focus on preparing breakfast, I glanced toward the dining room. Liza had buried herself in a newspaper. At least seemingly.

I lowered my voice.

"Daniel."

He immediately looked up.

"What?"

"I think she's planning something."

His eyebrows shot upward.

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't know." I sighed. "But the way she watches us..." I glanced toward the dining room again. "The way she analyzes everything." I lowered my voice even further. "It's like she knows something we don't."

Daniel discreetly looked toward his grandmother. Then back at me.

"I don't know." He shrugged. "She's always been like that."

"That doesn't make me feel any better."

"Honestly?" A smile tugged at his lips. "It shouldn't."

I stared at him. He was enjoying this.

The traitor.

Breakfast passed surprisingly peacefully.

Liza mostly talked about herself. Old friends. Old stories. Old memories. Every now and then she asked about us, but never pushed too far. Almost as if she already knew everything she wanted to know.

By early afternoon, Daniel offered to drive me to my mother's house to pick up the children. I wasn't particularly excited about the idea.

Not because I didn't want him there.

That was part of the problem.

I wasn't sure I was ready for my mother and Daniel to spend too much time together. Not until I understood what was happening between us.

If I understood it myself.

The drive was quiet. Too quiet.

"Daniel..." I started. Then immediately lost my nerve.

He glanced at me.

"Yeah, Laura?" The corner of his mouth twitched.

I hated when he did that. It always felt like he knew exactly what I was thinking.

"What was that?" I asked bluntly. There was no point dancing around the subject. Not with him.

"What was what?" His innocent expression deserved an award.

I stared at him.

"You're kidding."

A grin finally appeared.

"I am."

"That wasn't funny."

"No." His smile widened. "It really wasn't."

I tried to remain serious. Failed. Miserably.

"I'm talking about this morning." I paused. "Last night." Another pause. "Everything."

The smile slowly disappeared from his face. For the first time, he seemed genuinely thoughtful.

"Honestly?" he finally asked.

"Please."

He looked back at the road. Silent for several seconds. Then he sighed.

"I don't know." His answer was painfully honest.

"At first it was simple." His fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel. "A deal. A temporary arrangement." He let out a quiet laugh.

"Now?" His eyes briefly met mine. "Nothing about us feels simple anymore."

My heart squeezed.

"I don't know what this is." He continued quietly. "I don't know where it's going. And I don't know what it's supposed to mean."

I turned toward the window. Watching the scenery pass by. And what was I supposed to do with that?

If Daniel wasn't sure. If he was just as confused as I was. If he couldn't promise there was a future.

Then why did hearing those words hurt?

And if one day he told me he felt something for me...

Would it change anything?

Or would I finally be forced to admit everything I had been trying so desperately to deny?