A faint sob slipped out as she turned and ran before he could say a word.

Blake was still fixing his sleeve when he looked up, but she was already gone.

The sudden noise snapped Blake out of his thoughts. Applause rang out from the floor above.

Ashley came down the stairs, grinning. “What a dramatic moment. She’s really in love with you.”

Blake looked at her and asked flatly, “Is that a problem?”

“I just hope you can keep the act going. Don’t let her find out what’s really going ...