Lilac Lane. Sherryl Woods

He regarded Bryan intently. “Much the same way you look upon Kiera.” He grinned suddenly, looking oddly satisfied, as if something he’d been theorizing about had just been confirmed. “This should be interesting to watch.”

      Bryan regarded him suspiciously. “You’re not going to tell her to back off?”

      Luke laughed. “I’ve told her the kitchen is your domain. What more can I do?” he inquired a little too innocently.

      “Remind her that this is your pub and that she is most definitely not in charge, at least when it comes to me.”

      “I’ll mention it,” Luke agreed. “But she’s a strong-willed woman.”

      Bryan regarded him with confusion, but then understanding dawned. “You’re actually enjoying this test of wills that’s developing between us, aren’t you?”

      “A tiny bit,” Luke conceded. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with the pub running smoothly, I intend to enjoy this in much the way my family enjoyed watching Moira tie me up in knots.”

      “Not the same,” Bryan said fiercely. “They thought you needed someone to shake up your life. I’m not looking for a challenge in mine.”

      “Neither was I,” Luke replied. “Lo and behold, though, there was Moira. As my grandmother took great pleasure in reminding me, we don’t necessarily get to choose when love comes along.”

      Bryan gave him a horrified look. “Love? If you think that has anything at all to do with what’s going on between Kiera Malone and me, then you need a bit of counseling about relationships.”

      Luke laughed. “My wife would probably say the same, but I think I’m right about this. All that chemistry will explode one of these days.”

      “Just pray it doesn’t take your pub down with it,” Bryan retorted.

      As his boss walked away, Bryan got the distinct impression he might be doomed. That deli in Baltimore was looking better and better.