I literally stuttered when I said yes. But then a question hit me that I felt needed asking. What if Nick didn’t pass his recertification? CC promptly replied that she had no doubt her son would do so and with flying colors. Seems she did some checking into who I was and the work I do. If she hadn’t expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for my skills, I might have been offended.
Then, when I offered to help, she said they’d take care of everything. That the party was as much a celebration of me as it was Nick. I asked her to leave me out of it. Her son did it all.
I think I heard a sniffle on the phone. I’m thinking CC might be a big softie under her intimidating lawyer persona.
But all we’ve done for the past few minutes is listen to the band. So now I’m suspicious. Did Nick’s dad have something more to tell him?
I glance toward the French doors, searching for signs of Nick and his father. I’m tempted to go back inside, but I don’t want to risk CC thinking I’m bored or worse, being rude.
She rests a finely manicured hand on my arm. “I’m sure they’ll come looking for us any minute now.”
Mental note. Nick’s mother is adept at reading body language. Of course, she is. She’s a lawyer.
I decide to just be blunt. “Is something going on?”
CC slides her arm through mine and laughs softly. “No, not at all. I just figured my two guys needed a bonding moment.” She pauses in thought. “I guess I shouldn’t call Nicholas mine anymore. He’s clearly yours now.”
I let out a nervous laugh. Seriously, if my ankles shake any more, I’ll either fall over or people will think I’m trying to do some kind of jitterbug dance thing. “I don’t know about that.”
CC lifts her chin and shoulders all at once. I think the woman just grew three inches. “I do. I’ve never seen Nicholas look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
“Never?”
She shakes her head and mouths the word back to me.
Her eyes slide toward the French doors. “There they are.”
Nick and his father join us at the edge of the patio. I give them a smile, then closely examine Nick’s face for any hint of what they might have discussed. And yes, I’m a little nervous over the possibility that Nick’s and my relationship maybe have been the topic of conversation. I like his parents despite feeling intimidated by his mother. That’s only because she’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.
But I have the sense she likes me. Hard to tell for sure since I don’t know her that well. But what if Nick’s father doesn’tapprove of him dating a physical therapist who also works on animals?
Nick slides his hand around my waist. The desire in his eyes sends a tingle down the back of my neck. Or maybe that’s from the cool night air blowing in from the ocean.
“Can we take a quick walk?” He sounds so serious.
Uh oh. “Sure.”
Nick smiles at his folks. “Will you excuse us for a moment?”
His parents smile and nod, but I don’t miss the meaningful gaze they exchange. Either this is something good or the end of Nick and me.
Nick and me… I want that so much it hurts. But does he? Wouldn’t be the first time I had a patient mistake gratitude for my expertise as love.
Nick takes my hand, leading me toward the sandy path that connects the inn and the restaurant. When he veers into the sand, I stop and slip my heels off. Once we’re far enough from the lights of the patio, Nick stops, pulls me against him, and just holds me.
As his warmth envelopes me, my pinging nerves settle, and I feel like I can breathe again. I know my feelings for him are real. And they run deep. And I’m almost sure his do, too, so I’m at a loss for what to expect here.
I shift so my chin rests on his chest as I stare up at him. The moon is half full, so I can see his face well enough to recognize that question sitting in his eyes again. And I think I saw a hint of that fear peeking out, too.
“Hannah…” His voice rumbles through the night air and chases away every bit of the chill I’m feeling. And the way he’s looking at me…there’s no doubt about the heat between us. If we do this any longer, I may wind up with a sunburn.
A Nick-burn. And I so don’t want to be burned by him.
He lowers his head and brushes his lips over mine. A sigh escapes my lips as my eyes close.
His kiss is slow…tender. Not like some of our stolen make-out sessions squeezed in between physical therapy, training, and working with Bandit. The General and his owner got an eyeful when they walked in the day Nick and I confessed our love for each other. I had to reassure Mrs. Kimble I didn’t do that with all my patients.
But I want more with Nick—a future. I’m just not sure he’s ready for that yet. He’s said nothing that would indicate he’s even thought about it.
