After a few moments had passed, Reid opened the cabinet and lifted the plates to place inside. His shirt pulled over his muscles. Heidi swallowed. Why was she suddenly noticing muscles or the way the color of his eyes changed with his mood? Or had she always done this, but never with so much intensity, so it never clicked in her head?

She decided to blame her mood on the cozy kitchen and close proximity to him. Or maybe it was because they were doing something so homey together. Either way, she had to remember that their friendship came first.

She watched Reid close the cupboard door and lean against the counter, folding his arms across his broad chest. Scratch that, just plain old chest. His gaze captured hers and darn if his green eyes didn’t hold secrets she’d love to uncover.

“Why is that house on Hanover so important to you?” he asked in the quiet space between them.

She stilled. It was a fair question in light of her telling him a little bit about her transient youth. Would he get her reasoning, the desire to have one place to call her own?

She went with, “I think, for me, anyway, after turning thirty it’s time to settle down.”

He barked out a laugh. “You’re basing your decision on only your age?”

She shrugged. It was as good a reason as any.

“I’m not buying it.”

“Why not?”

He met her gaze and held it. Shivers broke out over her skin. Because she was caught in his very attentive sights or because he was seeing inside the real Heidi?

“The disappointment I saw on your face when you discovered I’d already purchased the property was much more personal than the status of your age.”

Busted. She leaned against the counter beside him, their shoulders brushing. His body heat and the scent of his tangy cologne made her heart go haywire and she had to rein herself in.