He shakes his head and mumbles, “And I thought I was a troublemaker.”
As Nick walks off to join Graham, I busy myself with collecting the racquets and birdie while stealing glances at Nick as he talks to my mother and brother.
If Nick only knew how much trouble he was stirring in my feelings…but perhaps that’s the blessing in disguise here. My reminder that he isn’t the type to get serious about someone.
My head gets it, but my heart? That’s my true battle.
“Nick!”I catch him just as he’s about to climb into his truck. He turns around and rests one arm on the roof and the other on the top of the door.
Can I help it that my pulse speeds up as that grin of his widens and tilts up to one side when he looks at me? No.
Do I want to be immune to his charms? Maybe.
Am I curious about what it would be like to be kissed by those lips? Completely.
But that’s not going to happen. At some point, my heart will get the message and comply, right?
He glances at the container of leftover pancakes in my hands. “Please tell me those aren’t for me.”
“Okay, they’re not for you.” I do my best to sound convincing.
He groans and holds his hand out. “Fine. But I have to go jog off the ones I ate already. Unless my physical therapist thinks that’s a bad idea.”
“No, but I might have a better one.”
“Which is?”
“Pete just texted me that Bandit is doing great. He said I can pick him up Monday morning. You mentioned last night you’d take care of grocery shopping for me. How about we go together and grab some items for him at the pet shop? You’re going to need a few things.”
“Me?”
“Did I forget to mention he needs a foster home?” The idea came to me yesterday evening that keeping Bandit would give Nick some much needed purpose right now.
“Then keep him at your place.”
“My landlord doesn’t allow pets.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not sure my apartments do either.”
“Nice try, Nick. I checked, and they do.”
“Ah, come on, Hannah. That’s a lot to ask, don’t you think?” He sounds frustrated with me, but I know, in my gut, this will help him.
It’s not just his shoulder that requires healing. In a way, the timing of this situation feels almost providential like the universe is supplying exactly what he needs most.
“What, are you afraid he might interfere with your social life?”
“No. I’m pretty much at home alone or doing physical therapy with you.”
Hmmm, interesting. No hot dates or string of women waiting in the wings. Graham made it sound like Nick had a constant stream of romantic encounters. “You agreed to help with Bandit’s recovery in exchange for a discount on your sessions. And I don’t come cheap.”
“I know I did, but you didn’t tell me?—”
“A deal is a deal.”
He tilts his head back, displaying his neck muscles again, and blows out a long breath before facing me. “Fine. Whatever.”
I race around the front of his truck to get into the passenger side and toss the container of pancakes into the back seat.
