‎And that was the problem.

‎Aria Bennett stood in the quiet lobby long after Caleb left.

‎The front door had closed minutes ago, but the sound seemed to linger in the air.

‎So did the warmth of his hand on her shoulder.

‎Friendly. Supportive. Dangerous.

‎She gathered the invoices from the desk and forced herself upstairs, trying to ignore the restless energy beneath her ribs.

‎This arrangement had rules.

‎Clear ones. No feelings. No complications.

‎No crossing lines.

‎So far, they had kept those rules.

‎Mostly.

‎But tonight felt different.

‎Closer.

‎And she didn’t like how easily she could remember the way he said her name.

‎The next afternoon, Aria drove into town to meet a furniture supplier who had agreed to sell her a set of refurbished tables for the inn’s dining room.

‎Progress felt good.

‎Normal. Safe.

‎The small warehouse sat near the edge of Maple Hollow, just past the lumber yard.

‎She parked and stepped out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked toward the open doors.

‎Inside, a tall man turned from a workbench.

‎“You must be Aria Bennett.”

‎His smile came easy.

‎Friendly. Confident.

‎“Yes.”

‎He wiped his hands on a cloth and walked over.

‎“Daniel Reeves,” he said, offering his hand.

‎She shook it.

‎His grip was warm and relaxed.

‎“Caleb mentioned you might stop by.”

‎Of course he had.

‎That thought alone made something inside her settle.

‎“I'm here about the tables.”

‎Daniel nodded.

‎“Right this way.”

‎The furniture was beautiful.

‎Solid wood.

‎Well-crafted.

‎Exactly the kind of pieces she wanted for Maple Sky Inn.

‎“These are perfect,” she said.

‎Daniel smiled.

‎“Told Caleb you'd like them.”

‎She ran her hand over the smooth surface.

‎“How soon can they be delivered?”

‎“Tomorrow, if you'd like.”

‎“That would be wonderful.”

‎He leaned casually against the table.

‎“So,” he said, “how are you liking Maple Hollow?”

‎“I love it here.”

‎“Small-town life suits you.”

‎She laughed softly.

‎“I’m still learning.”

‎“Well,” he said warmly, “you picked the right place.”

‎Something about his tone felt personal.

‎Not inappropriate.

‎Just... Interested.

‎And before she could respond, a truck engine sounded outside.

‎Heavy. Familiar.

‎Her stomach tightened.

‎Bootsteps crossed the concrete floor.

‎Slow. Deliberate.

‎Aria didn’t have to turn around.

‎She already knew.

‎Caleb.

‎He stopped a few feet away.

‎“Afternoon.”

‎The word came out flat.

‎Controlled.

‎Aria turned.

‎His expression was unreadable.

‎Which was never a good sign.

‎“Hi,” she said.

‎Daniel straightened.

‎“Hey, Caleb. Just showing Aria the tables.”

‎Caleb nodded once.

‎His gaze flicked to Daniel.

‎Then to Aria.

‎Then back again.

‎“How’s it going?”

‎“Good,” Daniel said easily. “We’re almost done here.”

‎Silence followed.

‎Heavy silence.

‎The air felt thicker than before.

‎Tighter.

‎And then...

‎Daniel said casually,

‎“We were just talking about how well she’s settling in.”

‎Caleb’s eyes returned to Aria.

‎Something sharp flickered there.

‎“Is that so.”

‎Not a question. A statement.

‎Cold. Possessive. Unexpected.

‎Aria felt it immediately.

‎The shift. The tension. Something new.

‎Something unfamiliar.

‎Something that made her pulse quicken.

‎And then Daniel added,

‎“You're lucky, man.”

‎Caleb didn’t respond right away.

‎The silence stretched.

‎Then,

‎“Yeah,” Caleb said quietly.

‎“I know.”

‎Daniel glanced between them, smiling.

‎“Well, I’ll get the paperwork ready.”

‎He disappeared toward the office.

‎Leaving them alone.

‎The moment he was gone,

‎Aria spoke.

‎“What was that?”

‎Caleb frowned slightly.

‎“What was what?”

‎“That tone.”

‎“No tone.”

‎“There was definitely a tone.”

‎He crossed his arms.

‎“You’re imagining things.”

‎She stared at him.

‎“I’m not.”

‎Silence hung between them.

‎Then he said,

‎“He talks a lot.”

‎Her eyebrows lifted.

‎“He’s helping me.”

‎“That’s his job.”

‎“And?”

‎Another pause.

‎Longer this time.

‎Then Caleb said quietly,

‎“You were laughing.”

‎Aria blinked.

‎“What?”

‎“You were laughing with him.”

‎Understanding dawned slowly.

‎Then hit all at once.

‎“You’re jealous.”

‎The words slipped out before she could stop them.

‎Caleb’s jaw tightened.

‎“I’m not jealous.”

‎“You are.”

‎“I’m not.”

‎“You walked in like you were about to arrest someone.”

‎His eyes narrowed slightly.

‎“I was checking on the order.”

‎“You didn't have to glare at him.”

‎“I wasn’t glaring.”

‎“You absolutely were.”

‎Silence.

‎Then... He exhaled slowly.

‎“It doesn’t look convincing.”

‎She frowned.

‎“What doesn’t?”

‎“This.”

‎He gestured between them.

‎“If you’re flirting with someone else.”

‎Her eyes widened.

‎“I wasn’t flirting!”

‎“It looked like it.”

‎“That’s ridiculous.”

‎Another quiet moment passed.

‎Then she said softly,

‎“You really were jealous.”

‎He didn’t answer.

‎Which was answered enough.

‎Something strange fluttered in her chest.

‎Warm. Unsteady. Dangerous.

‎Caleb shifted his weight.

‎“We made an agreement.”

‎“Yes.”

‎“People are watching.”

‎“I know.”

‎“So it has to look real.”

‎“It does look real.”

‎His gaze held hers.

‎Too steady. Too intense.

‎“Then act like it.”

‎Her breath caught slightly.

‎The words sounded simple.

‎But they weren’t.

‎Not anymore.

‎Daniel returned with the paperwork.

‎The moment broke.

‎Just like that.

‎But something lingered.

‎Something neither of them could ignore.

‎As Aria signed the papers, she could feel Caleb standing beside her.

‎Solid. Silent. Close. Too close.

‎When they walked outside together, evening light stretched across the road.

‎Caleb opened her truck door automatically.

‎She paused before getting in.

‎“Still not jealous?” she asked quietly.

‎His expression didn’t change.

‎“No.”

‎But his hand stayed on the door longer than necessary.

‎And his voice came lower this time.

‎“Just making sure you remember who you're supposed to be with.”

‎Her pulse skipped.

‎That wasn’t part of the act.

‎Not entirely.

‎She climbed into the truck.

‎And as she drove away, one thought refused to leave her mind.

‎The fake relationship had crossed a line.

‎Because jealousy... Was never pretend.