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loved him once.”
    It sounded like an accusation. For no reason her body started shivering and her head began to ache. “Yes, I loved him. How could I be so dumb?” The words came out on a wail.
    He cupped her face between his hands. “You’re not dumb. He’s the dumb one for not realising what he had.” The calluses on his palms were rough against her cheeks. Rough and infinitely comforting.
    “If only you’d told me not to marry him.”
    “Huh. And you would have taken my advice?”
    “I might have.” She gulped. He began to circle his thumbs over her cheeks, the action almost absentminded, but she was hyper aware of his touch. The feel of his fingers sent darts of heat through her body. She’d never realised how gentle and sensual his work-roughened hands could be.
    “You would’ve told me to mind my own damn business.” His voice lowered, growing husky. His eyes were the colour of molasses.
    He shifted closer until there was less than an inch between them. She could have wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer. She wanted to, but something paralysed her. Her breathing shortened, and she couldn’t stop staring at Dion’s mouth. He had wonderful lips, she realised. They looked soft yet firm and very kissable, and they were so close to her she only had to stand on tiptoe to reach them.
    A fresh, green smell filtered in as the night air breezed through the ferns. She stood, riveted by the realisation that she was standing in Dion’s embrace, longing for his kiss. Was this what she’d always secretly wanted yet never had the courage to admit to herself? Perhaps she was just confusing sympathy for sexual arousal. Surely Dion wouldn’t hold her like this if he was just commiserating with her? But maybe this was how he comforted all his female friends when they had relationship breakups. Yes, that was more likely.
    Still, she didn’t want this moment to end. She wanted it to develop into something more. She started to rise up on her toes, all her concentration fixed on Dion’s lips. As she did so, Dion’s eyes widened. He couldn’t mistake her intent. He froze, his stilled fingers entangled in her hair.
    From the nearby kitchen, sandals clacked on the tiled floor. The sliding door to the back porch whined open.
    “Toni? Dion?” Pearl called out. “Where are you?”
    Toni jerked away from Dion. His arms fell to his sides while he remained still, staring at her. Was his chest heaving as much as hers?
    Pearl stepped forward. “Why so dark out here? What you two doing?”
    “Nothing, just talking,” Toni muttered. As she moved past Dion, his bare arm brushed against hers. The heat of his skin lit a sizzle up her arm, sending a wobble through her knees. Oh God, what if her mum had caught her kissing Dion? What would she have said?
    “Come inside.” Pearl’s gaze darted between the two of them. “I’m making tea for everyone.”
    Dion cleared his throat. “Thanks, Auntie, but not for me. I’d better get going. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
    “Ah, you want help, just call,” Pearl said. “Toni can help too.”
    “No, no. I’ve got everything under control. Thanks for dinner.” He gave Pearl’s shoulder a quick squeeze then glanced back at Toni. “See you later.”
    She’d barely said goodbye before he hurried through the kitchen. A short time later she heard the front door shut. He’d raced out of here as if his pants were on fire. Toni swiped the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead. She was all hot and flushed, her legs still unsteady. What would have happened if she had succeeded in planting one on his lips? Would he have kissed her back or pushed her away? The idea of Dion rejecting her made her nerves shrivel. She valued his friendship deeply. She’d be stupid to risk it just because she couldn’t control her urges. No, the next time she felt like kissing Dion she would have to bite her tongue to stop herself. She was obviously bad at picking lovers, but