“Well, what did yours look like?”

Kelly produced her valentine, handing it to Bruce matter-of-factly.

He pulled his version from his jacket pocket and handed it to her, scanning the frilly card she gave him. Even though they were essentially trading evidence of wrongdoing, it still felt peculiar to be standing with this woman exchanging valentines.

“I’m so sorry this happened.” It seemed like the right thing to say.

“It’s not your fault.” Her tone was as flustered as his. “It’s...well, it’s nothing you did. The girls just...dreamed it up, that’s all.”

Bruce rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the collection of glittery hearts in his hand. “Carly’s never done anything like this before. I don’t know where they got the idea, frankly.” That sounded stupid the minute he said it. He knew exactly where Carly had gotten the idea—that was the worst part of it.

Under different circumstances, Kelly Nelson could be someone he might consider dating. She was, in fact, the first woman who even remotely struck him as someone he might want in his life. If he was ready to date.

Which he absolutely wasn’t.