Heather flipped the mirror shut and tossed her makeup into her purse. She didn’t have it in her to argue. She’d been wallowing a whole lot since Dean. Truthfully, she didn’t know how to get herself out of her funk. Maybe Lexie was right about doing something for others. It wouldn’t hurt to try.

The blinker sounded again, and this time Lexie turned into a school parking lot. Heather took a deep breath and tried to ignore the surroundings. The elementary school looked freakishly similar to the one she’d gone to—the building old and worn down, the blacktop lot crumbling, the playground appearing on the verge of collapse. The neighborhood that bordered the school was obviously low-income. The houses were falling apart and in need of new paint. The yards were dead and cluttered with junk. The scene hit home. Hard.

The car pulled up to the front of the building and headed toward the guest parking. As they got near, Heather could see an empty spot next to a brick red pick-up truck. A man stood at the back of the vehicle, leaning against the tailgate. She squinted. She knew that man. Knew him quite intimately, in fact.

Seth.

Lexie parked the car and turned to Heather. “Besides, this isn’t really a PR gig.”

Heather’s mouth suddenly felt dry, and her skin tingled. Seth was there. And Lexie was saying something about the PR gig not really being a PR gig. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a date in disguise.”

Heather froze, her hand still on the seatbelt release. “What do you mean a date?”

“Well, he called me. And you did tell him you’d go out with him. And I arrange your calendar.” Lexie put the car in park, her entire demeanor one of nonchalance. As if what she was saying wasn’t absolutely huge. Arranging a date with Seth behind her back? Yes, absolutely huge.

Lexie looked over and noticed Heather’s stunned expression. “Don’t look at me like that. I saw the way you lit up just now. You want to be with him, and don’t you dare deny it.”

Heather wanted to deny it but she couldn’t. She did want to be with him. More than anything.

Apparently, Heather’s face confirmed Lexie’s accusation.

“Yeah, I knew it,” she said. “For some reason he wants to be with you too. Even though you’ve been nothing but a major bitch.”

“Because I am a major bitch.”

“That’s not a badge of honor.”

“I know.” It was her shield, her safety net. It kept her hidden. But it was useless to try to hide things from Lexie. Utterly useless. “Fine, I do want to see him.”

“Then why have you been avoiding him? Does it still bother you that he’s a carpenter?”

“No. I don’t know. I’m not sure.” Heather peered over her shoulder to look at the man in question. Seth was still standing at the tailgate, waiting for her to get out of the car.

He was waiting. For her. Why?

Her doubts were overwhelming, keeping her from understanding the way she would have liked. “Why does he want to be with me? After what he saw. It’s humiliating.” Her coked up dad, her past on display. So humiliating.

“What the f**k ever. Get over yourself.” Lexie had her How-Can-You-Be-So-Stupid look on her face mixed with a dose of annoyance. “Do you really think he cares? He cares about who you are now. And if it took where you came from to make you this person, then don’t you think he respects that?”

“If he does, he’s a better person than me.” Afraid Lexie would agree if she gave her the chance, Heather changed the subject. “So is there even a PR gig?”

“Yes. You guys are talking to the kids in the Arts Program here. Seth set it up. He set it up so he could spend some time with you. You hear me?”

Heather nodded as guilt washed through her like an ice shower.

But outside her door stood warmth. All she had to do was get out of the car. She tugged her fingers through her hair. “Do I look okay?”

“You look goddamn gorgeous. As always.”

“Are you sticking around?”

“Nope. I’m turning you over to the carpenter for the day. You’ll have to do a paparazzi dump so they don’t notice you leaving together, but I’m pretty sure Seth has something worked out.”

Heather fought the urge to panic. There was so much about her life he didn’t get, that he couldn’t possibly understand. Like how invasive cameras could be. Could she be certain that he took the correct precautions? That no one would catch them together on film?

She wasn’t sure. But she wanted to trust him, so she let herself do just that. “Okay then. Here goes nothing.” Heather took another deep breath before opening the door and stepping out onto the blacktop. She crossed to Seth in three short strides.

Damn, he looked good. Better than the last time she thought he looked damn good. Was that possible? He wore jeans again, light blue this time with a dark-blue button down opened to reveal a maroon T-shirt. Memories of the sculpted body he hid under his clothes flooded her in a rush, igniting a fire in her lower belly. God, he turned her on. Turned her on and upside down and man, was it wonderful.

She gave him a weak smile, not sure how he’d receive her. “Hey.”

He returned it with a sexy grin. “Hey, princess.”

Her chest prickled with a mixture of warmth and guilt. She’d barely said two words to him in several days, and yet Seth looked at her with as much desire and faith as he had when they’d showered together. She didn’t deserve it.

But if he was offering to continue where they left off, she wasn’t willing to dissuade him. Not in the least. “Thank you.” For being here, for giving me another chance. For wanting me. “For arranging all this.”

He winked as if he understood her unspoken words. “I had help. Speaking of Lexie…” He put his hand out protectively, ushering Heather closer as Lexie pulled the car out from the parking space.

Heather shivered at Seth’s hand at the small of her back as she looked after Lexie driving away. “I don’t know if I should fire her or give her a raise.”

Seth rubbed a small circle on her back before he withdrew his hand. “You definitely shouldn’t fire her. She’s on my side.”

“Then that’s exactly why I should fire her.” She relaxed in the easiness of their conversation. “Except you’re wrong. Lexie’s on my side. She helped you because she’s on my side.” Because Lexie knew what Heather really needed—Seth.