All around, people were in motion, laughing, partying, enjoying a Friday night out in the city. But all Nick wanted to do was find a quiet spot to feast his eyes on his date and learn more about her. Well, maybe that wasn’t true. He could imagine doing much more, but not tonight.
Things were moving fast enough already. True, they had a short window, but he didn’t mind letting the relationship take its course. Wherever that led. He felt comfortable with Kat, loved that they shared similar interests, and was happy to explore further.
He wasn’t sure which was more invigorating—the fast skating with the wind rushing against his face or Kat’s sparkling smile. Either way, his insides hummed. On the sidewalk, he reached for Kat’s gloved hand.
They walked only a couple of blocks before arriving at Giorgio’s. Nick held open the door then stepped inside behind Kat. The spicy scent of pizza filled his nostrils at the same time disappointment lodged in his throat. Maybe it’d been quiet the last time Kat was here, but tonight it was busy and noisy. He almost suggested a change of venue, but this had been her choice. And he should probably try the famous pizza if only to tell people back home he had.
They were seated at a small booth away from the door and not far from the fireplace. About as good as it could get considering the crowd and timing.
Removing her gloves, Kat leaned forward. “Sorry, it’s so busy tonight. Maybe some residual holiday crowds.” She offered a bright smile. “It’s good stuff, though.”
After she requested a hard cider, he ordered one of the craft beers then spent a few minutes studying the menu, which featured some unusual choices. “Let me see if I can guess your taste in pizza.” Could the compatibility continue?
“Okay.” Grinning, Kat crossed her arms, brows raised in challenge.
“I’m thinking something healthy, colorful, and interesting. What about spinach, mushrooms and mango?”
“Eww.” She sputtered a laugh, and the light danced in her eyes. “Not even close. My fave is plain old pepperoni. Sometimes with green peppers or olives.”
“Those sound good to me.” They ordered then Kat pushed back her chair.
“Just a sec.”
She took a small bucket off a shelf near the bar then headed back toward their table.
And Nick couldn’t help but notice a couple of guys at the bar turned to watch her, obvious interest in their eyes. He couldn’t blame them, but it prompted questions in his mind. How was this beautiful, talented woman unattached? Had she recently broken up with someone? Did she have any heartache in her past?
They hadn’t talked about previous relationships. Not that it mattered. Just another layer to peel back. And a reminder how long it takes to get to know someone.
Kat set the bucket on their table. “Another reason I love this place. The white paper doubles as tablecloth and doodle board.”
Nick blew out his breath and withdrew a couple crayons from the bucket. “Cool.” Something they could do rather than shout at each other over the noise.
He watched Kat for a moment as she drew a floral pattern that could easily have been fiber art. By the time their pizza arrived, half of the paper was covered in doodles.
“Let’s fill the whole thing,” Kat said.
With a slice of pizza in one hand and a crayon in the other, Nick grinned. “I’m game.”
But he placed a napkin over a spot in the center of the table, and when she declared it finished, he made one last drawing—an outline of a city skyline and a yellow sun.You make NYC shine, he wrote. He knew it was cheesy, but that’s how he was feeling.
Her soft smile was his reward.
An hour later, he walked Kat up the stairs to her apartment.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he told her.
When she lingered and turned toward him, he didn’t decline the invitation. He drew her against him and pressed his lips to hers.
“Goodnight,” she whispered.
Reluctantly, he let go then turned and hurried down the steps—before he could change his mind.
* * *
On Saturday morning Kat dressed in a bright goldenrod sweater, hoping the cheery color would brighten her mood and help shake off the negative vibes over Nick’s impending departure. The plan was to meet at a neighborhood diner close to his hotel so that he could easily catch a shuttle from there to LaGuardia airport. One minute she wanted to hurry to get to the cafe, the next she wanted to slow down to make the morning last longer.
She’d come so close to inviting him to stay at her place last night, but long-held norms stopped her. It was too soon. It almost scared her how fast she and Nick had connected. She’d never been this gaga over a guy before. And that in itself told her to take a step back. But he’d been on her mind when she finally drifted to sleep. And was still there when she woke this morning.
