Several times, she found it unbearable to be around him and would escape with some excuse.

As she battled this ‘sweet worry,’ good news arrived. Bennett would be away on a business trip for a week She felt a wave of relief wash over her.

On the night before Bennett's departure, Claudia abandoned her previous avoidance, joining him on the sofa. He looked at her, his dark eyes shifting.

“You finally seem to be free tonight.”

Blushing, Claudia looked away.