“She was like a dog with a bone.” He chuckles as he says this and points to Sparky, who’s watching us intently. “She apologized for upsetting me, but she told me she didn’t regret what she did because the idea of someone not seeing her husband’s true potential incensed her too much to let it go. Her words, not mine.”
“I can relate.” Talk about a mind-blowing day. I think Ben just saved me years of therapy. And gave me some insight into Nick.
Ben starts another lap across the pool. “Got any more questions for me? I might just have an answer.”
I laugh softly. “No, you’ve given me plenty to think about already.”
He reaches the side and pauses. “Then I’ll leave you with one more word of wisdom.”
“What’s that?” I gesture toward the steps to let him know we’re done without interrupting him.
He grabs hold of the railing and then turns around to face me. The crinkles around his eyes lend a certain wisdom to his warm expression as if he’s about to impart a secret. “Always look for the best in each other because you’ll find it.”
Not a secret, but unquestionably the best advice I’ve ever heard.
CHAPTER 31
Nick
Something warm and wet is moving over my hand. That’s my first sense of awareness as I crack my eyes open. Bandit is standing by the side of my bed, licking me. After his surgery, he would have accidents at night. So I started putting his doggy bed by mine and trained him to yip if he needed to go out. This dog is so smart I only had to teach him a couple of times. Lately, he’s slept through without issue, which Hannah said is another good sign of him regaining feeling and control of his body.
I sit up on the side of the bed and rub his ears. “Good boy, Bandit. You’re getting good at standing on your own.”
He yips and looks toward my bedroom door.
“Do you need to go outside?” I pull on the jeans and T-shirt from yesterday, then scan the room for his wheels.
Frantic and forceful pounding comes from my front door, sending vibrations through my entire apartment.
This time, Bandit barks full volume.
I race to the front door and check the peephole, hoping it’s Hannah. I’d rather see her angry at me than not see her at all.
But it’s not her. It’s Graham.
And he doesn’t look too happy, which isn’t a surprise, considering he’s about to pound his way through my door again.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turn the lock and yank open the door. Bright sunlight streams in, making me squint. “Why, man?”
He puts his hands on his hips, which just makes him look more threatening. And he knows this. I’ve seen him use this stance many a time to squelch a rowdy group or to make his point about someone doing something stupid. I’m convinced the man would have become a football player if he didn’t love the beach and lifeguarding so much.
“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” His tone drips with sarcasm.
Something’s off here, and I’m almost positive it has everything to do with Hannah. Did she tell Graham about our kiss and then our…fight? I’m not sure what to call it, since we’re not technically a couple.
Yet…I’m hoping to fix that.
I spent most of the night tossing and turning, and, yeah, some ruminating, too. And not just about Hannah, but my parents as well. I’m not a fan that she went behind my back—correction—tried to help me like that, but she’s right. I needed help.
Over the years, I’ve basically dealt with their disapproval by avoiding them. I figured that was the easiest way to keep the peace, but instead, all I’ve done is help facilitate the chasm that’s formed between us. Somehow, I’ll figure out how to make things right.
But right now, I need to see Hannah first and apologize for overreacting. As a lawyer, Cecilia Lawless is formidable. As a mother, she’s kind, yet still fierce, and can be an intimidating presence, even for me sometimes. Took a lot of guts to confront my mother like that, which makes me love Hannah even more. Because after that deep dive into my brain—and my heart—I realize Hannah’s got my back. That’s something I’ve neverexperienced until I became a lifeguard. Zane built that into his program, but with Hannah, it goes much deeper.
At least, I think it does. Without a doubt, I know we have chemistry. The attraction between us sizzles at times. But the deeper stuff…that’s what I’m still not sure about. Could Hannah really fall for me? Because I’ve fallen so far for her, there’s no way back to anything casual. Not with her. Or anyone else, for that matter.
“Kind of.”
“Good. We need to talk.” He barrels past me into my apartment.
