Free Mina's Heart by Michele Zurlo

land I’m clearing for the house. You’d think she’d be grateful.”
    He headed to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Mina watched as he took clean plates from the dishwasher and cut pieces of cake for each of them. As cakes went, the appearance was unremarkable.
    “If she was grateful, then she’d be a dog.” Mina reached for the knob on a likely cupboard in search of glasses. She’d spied some milk, which seemed like the perfect accompaniment for chocolate cake.
    Ever pointed her in the right direction, flashing one of those smiles that made his eyes sparkle mischievously. “True. I don’t think I’m quite ready for a dog yet. No yard.” He cleared a place at the island and put down the plates. “What about you? Any pets or aspirations for one?”
    Mina shrugged. “I’m not ruling it out, but I’m not settled enough to be responsible for a pet. My mother has feeders all over the yard. She seems to have developed a special relationship with birds and rodents. I think I can safely rule them out as pet options.”
    She thought it was sad that her mother spent time feeding wild animals. It seemed those little things were her only companions. Her mother needed to get out more. The move would be good for her.
    Ever regarded her soberly. “I like to watch wildlife. It’s very peaceful and sometimes wonderful. I can see why your mom would set out feeders. How did she like the flower baskets?”
    Mina handed him a glass of milk and climbed onto a high stool next to him. Ever’s feet touched the floor, but she had to perch hers on a rung. At the mention of the baskets, she blushed a little, but not because it had been the first time a man had bought her flowers. “She loved them. We didn’t have any hooks to hang them, so we took the hangers off and put them on the back patio.”
    Half of his mouth lifted in a teasing grin. “You didn’t tell her they were from me.”
    No, she hadn’t mentioned running into Everett or that she’d be having dinner with him tonight. Her mother thought she was meeting friends in town. Throughout high school, Mina had assured her mother that she had friends. The one time her mother had advocated for Mina to be allowed to go to a friend’s house on the basis that if she didn’t socialize, she couldn’t keep friends, her father hadn’t reacted well. Mina didn’t want her mother to have to suffer from guilt on top of everything else.
    “She was so delighted by them that I couldn’t tell her they were mine. I hope you don’t mind.” To cover her embarrassment, she shoveled a bite of cake into her mouth. She didn’t expect much, and she found herself pleasantly surprised. It was moist and flavorful. The cream cheese frosting was just sweet enough. “Mmmm. This is really good cake.”
    “Thanks.” He finished chewing his mouthful. “I don’t mind about the flowers. They brought joy to you both, so they’ve served their purpose.”
    He had a crumb of chocolate at the corner of his mouth. She reached out, intending to brush it away with her thumb. He seemed to guess her intention, because he held still. Something came over her, and at the last second, she leaned forward and licked it away with the tip of her tongue. He tasted every bit as delicious as his kiss.
    Never in her life had she been so bold. The moment she pulled away, she froze, not certain to which degree her behavior had mortified her.
    Ever’s eyelids fell to half-mast, and he regarded her with a sultry expression. “Moves like that will get you thoroughly kissed.”
    She took stock of her emotions. “I’m okay with that.”
    Almost before she finished speaking, his lips closed over hers. At the same time, he snaked his arm around her and cradled the base of her skull with his hand. He tangled his fingers in her hair, knocking her hairpins loose. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, not bothering with the soft sensuality of his earlier foray, and stole her breath with his mastery.
    She was