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“Dad!” Her tone brooked warning. “You didn’t make her work on a Friday night, did you?”

“No! She wanted to. I mean, she accepted my invitation when I asked. She didn’t mind at all.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “You two are attached at the hip, and I think you take advantage. Alyssa is so good at her job, you forget she should have a life of her own.”

“Trust me, I wouldn’t force her to do anything. I respect the heck out of her. This is a big social event, and I’m sure she’ll have fun.”

“Sure. What woman doesn’t have fun following the mayor around and making sure everything goes smoothly? Why didn’t you let her bring her own date?”

The thought made him want to growl, but he settled for a frown. “She’s not seeing anyone. Why are you suddenly so concerned with Alyssa? Has she said something to you? Is she unhappy?”

“No, I just know she’s a bit like Mia, and work can consume her. Ethan was able to balance Mia out and show her other things in life. I think Alyssa needs that, too. She’s lonely.”

He stared at his daughter. “You think she’s lonely?”

She nodded. “Yeah, she doesn’t see her parents, and she has no other family. I don’t think she goes out much, either. What is she doing for Thanksgiving?”

The question knocked him off balance. The idea of Alyssa spending the holiday alone haunted him. “I don’t know.”

“I think we should invite her to the farm. There’s plenty of room, and I think she would have a great time. What do you think?”

The idea hit him full-force. Having Alyssa with him in such a setting might be exactly what they both needed. Time away from the spotlight to really spend time with each other. He already knew she adored Chloe, and they talked consistently on their own. Having the two women who were most important to him together for a family weekend seemed like the biggest gift of all.

“I’ll invite her,” he said, trying to hide his excitement.

“Good, now I feel better. Have fun tonight.”

“You, too, honey. Is there someone new in your life I need to know about yet?” he asked teasingly.

Her blue eyes filled with a flare of pain he knew all too well—one that spoke of heartbreak he wished he could save her from. “Not ready yet,” she said, her forced smile not fooling him at all. “I want to be on my own for a while.”

He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “It’s hard to get over a first love,” he said seriously. “I think it’s great you’re taking time for yourself and not rushing into anything because you’re sad. Owen never deserved you anyway.”

A choked laugh escaped her throat. “Dad, no boy will ever deserve me if it’s up to you.”

“Damn right.”

She shrugged. “I can’t be mad he chose his career over me. Long-distance relationships never work out anyway. He did me a favor by saving me another few years of dating just to be dumped.”

“I can do a lot of things to him, Chloe,” he said. “Bad things. My reach as mayor is more than you know.”

That got a real smile out of her. “Aww, thanks, Dad. I’ll keep it in mind. For now, though, cocktails and girlfriends sound just about perfect.”

She gave him a wink and headed out.

He checked his watch, not wanting to be late to pick Alyssa up. By the time he got to her door, he realized he was sweating more than usual. Like a nervous teen. Humiliating. He ran a city, and yet this slip of a woman affected him like no other. What amazed him was the way he was still able to separate his personal feelings in the office. She helped him run City Hall with a tight grip and ruthless organization that kept his brain in the game, but the moment the clock struck five, his dick seemed to wake up like Cinderella’s magic spell.

Because then, it was his time.

He climbed the steps, but she was already stepping out, marching determinedly toward him like they were about to embark on a meeting rather than a ball. Her practical black coat gapped open just enough for him to spot the classic black cocktail dress she wore, but it was what was left off that made him speechless.

The hem of her dress stopped a bit higher than usual, leaving a good solid inch above the knee, flashing long, bare legs that ate up the distance with a no-nonsense pace. She stopped in front of him and tilted her head back. “Hi. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Damn, she was beautiful. Those large, almond-shaped eyes behind her glasses shimmered with an emotion he craved to tap. Her scent danced around him, cool and clean and crisp. Her dirty-blond hair was swept up on top of her head, but this time, she’d let some loose curls dangle around her temples, softening her face. The hints were subtle, but he’d made it his job to begin learning everything about Alyssa Block he possibly could, and every sign pointed to the fact that she’d dressed for him tonight.

As a woman. Not an employee.

“You look amazing,” he said, lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. Her fingers shook in his, and he hid a smile, pleased by her reaction.