Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 455

Camila Davis glanced over at the man’s wrist as soon as she heard the comment. He was wearing two bracelets—one, a sleek, all-black leather band she’d seen on him before, looking expensive and understated. The other was a string of wooden beads she’d given him herself last Christmas, back when she’d spent hours in a little craft store picking out something that felt personal.

The two bracelets rested side by side against his wrist, and somehow, instead of clashing, they just looked… right together. Like they belonged, even though they were so different.

Dennis Williams always had this air about him—reserved, almost too put-together. The bracelets only seemed to emphasize that, making him look even more refined, a little untouchable. And his hands—well, they were just unfairly perfect. Long fingers, strong knuckles, not a flaw in sight.

Camila had an inappropriate urge to sigh and mutter that Mr. Williams’ hands really were just ridiculously attractive, like something out of a cologne ad. The kind of hands you could kind of fall for, if you were into that sort of thing.

She had to take a steadying breath to push away those thoughts and focus. “Alright,” she said.

She reached out, fussing with the clasp she’d added to the bead bracelet—a little round, silver snap, upgraded from the original, because she’d worried it would come loose too easily.

She explained as she worked, “I made it a bit tighter on purpose, so it won’t just fall off. It looks complicated, but it’s really not. See, you just—”

Dennis raised an eyebrow as he watched her, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. When she bent over the clasp, he mischievously lifted his wrist higher, just enough to make her stumble forward a couple steps, bringing her closer.

Camila’s heart skipped a beat. Dennis, ever calm, simply said, “This way, you’ll see it better. Go ahead.”

Now they were standing way too close for comfort. His hand was lifted right in front of her, and because he was so much taller, she had to tilt her head up to see what she was doing. Before, when his arm was down, she could avoid brushing against him. Now, there was no choice—she had to steady his wrist with her fingers, and there was no way not to touch his skin.

She felt her cheeks heat up, but Dennis didn’t seem to notice, letting her work. Little did she know, every light brush of her fingers was sending tingles up his arm, making him feel oddly ticklish inside.

His usually cool gaze softened, growing a shade darker as he studied her face. There was something almost playful in his eyes now, as if he was wondering what had made her so flustered.

Camila, of course, had no idea what was going through his mind. She finally managed to finish refilling the little bead with his vitamins and said quietly, “There, all done.”

She started to pull her hand back, but Dennis caught her wrist before she could move away.

His skin was warm and, suddenly, she was looking up at him, wide-eyed. “Um… what’s wrong?”

He traced his thumb across the back of her hand, totally casual. “Thought I saw something. Like a spot or something.”

“Huh?”

Camila squinted at her own wrist, but there was nothing there. She glanced up at him, confused. “Are you sure? I don’t see anything.”

Was Dennis messing with her on purpose? She had no proof, but it sure felt like it.

Half an hour later, Camila’s best friend Sarah Brown showed up for their weekly lunch—she never missed a chance for Camila’s famous chicken pot pie. Sarah took one look at Camila, who kept staring at her own hand, and raised an eyebrow.

“What’s up with you? Did you burn yourself or something? You’ve looked at your hand like six times since I walked in. Lemme see.”

Camila recognized the teasing tone and rolled her eyes, refusing to admit anything. “It’s nothing, Sarah. You’re imagining things.”

Across the kitchen island, their other friend Susan snorted. “Oh, please. I saw Mr. Williams holding her hand for, what, a solid minute? The man’s got a grip, you should probably check for bruises.”

Sarah burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Spill it, Camila! What happened while I was gone? You two moving at lightning speed without telling me?”

Camila’s face turned scarlet. “Susan, stop making stuff up!”

Sarah just grinned wider. “You can’t leave me hanging! Details, girl. I want the whole story—how fast are you two moving behind my back?”