I examine him for a moment. Tyler wants to find someone, but he’s never been big on dating. He went on a few dates in college that he described as spectacularly awful, but he’s never shared details. Since then, I rarely hear him mention anyone. He hooks up with guys he finds on an app, but nothing more. He shakes his head, and I decide not to press it tonight.
Matthias slides back in and pushes a new glass across the table to Tyler. The rest of the night went about as usual—work and family drama updates. By the time the evening ends, I feellighter and a little more ready to face my feelings. The only thing left to do is tell Colt.
COLT
I hate Thursdays.That might be a bit of an overstatement, but on Thursdays, Nathan hangs out with his college friends. Which is fine. He should have friends and do things that don’t involve me. But especially this week, Thursday is a reminder of how close the two of us have grown in a short period. It also reminds me that I haven’t slept in my bed in almost a week and a half. Not since Nathan invited me to stay the night.
I don’t care about the actual bed. My mattress is comfortable enough, but I miss the heat from Nathan’s body as I fall asleep. I miss waking up with our limbs tangled and pressing myself against him. I miss the early morning kisses.
It’s strange how quickly those became part of our normal routine. Nathan asked us to go slow, and while we might have started that way, now we’re barreling ahead. The thought of a future together fills me with warm, fuzzy feelings. The same ones I had when Tyler asked me about my intentions. I don’t know how I’m so sure this thing between us is real; I just do.
Of course, I still haven’t worked up the courage to tell him.Yet. It’s not for lack of trying either; there is just always a reason to put it off for another day. I can’t figure out where his head is, and I don’t want to rush him.
I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and go to bed. Nathan’s early bedtimes have worn off on me. It doesn’t help that we wake up early so we have some extra time together in the morning before we go our separate ways. Even if I’ve caught him up working in the middle of the night a few times. He needs someboundaries with his job. Something for us to discuss after his gala.
My phone chimes, and I pull it out.
Nathan Winslow
Just wrapping up with the guys
I smile at the easy way he checks in with me when we’re apart.
Me
Hope you had a good time.
Nathan Winslow
Can I come over?
My heart leaps into my throat.
Me
Of course
Nathan WInslow
Be there in 15
As though Iwould ever turn down an offer like that.
My body fills with warmth until I think I might burst. Whatever anxiety I felt earlier in the evening is replaced with a general calmness. One I always seem to have when Nathan is near. It’s easy to imagine us together every night. Not for sex—though that’s a benefit—but just the intimacy of going through our evening routines together before settling between the sheets.
I look around and imagine Nathan in my apartment, sitting on my couch the way he did last week when he held me, drinking coffee in the kitchen, or laughing as he picks out a movie for us towatch. Even imagining his presence brings a sense of calmness to my body. A sense of home I didn’t know I’d been missing. As long as we’re together, nothing else matters.
Chapter Twenty-Four
NATHAN
With only onemore day before the annual fundraising gala, everything should be ready. The only thing left should be setting up tomorrow morning and the afternoon before seven rolls around.
That’s not the case. The office is a disaster zone, with everyone running around to extinguish the never-ending fires. Metaphorical fires. The one good thing right now is that nothing is literally on fire.
I put my head down on my desk for a minute, blocking out the chaos swirling around me. I take a few deep breaths and try to find my center. It may or may not exist, but at least some clouds in my mind are clearing.
I stand up quickly and start to bark orders at people. A wave of dizziness shoots through me, followed by a moment of fuzzy vision. Note to self: don’t stand up quite so fast. The moment passes, and I go back to giving out instructions. “Victoria, call the caterer and remind him we have a contract that includes vegetarian and vegan options.” How the man is trying to claimhe didn’t see the last page of the order with the information for our vegan guests is beyond me. “Damien, please call the florist and ask if they can push the delivery time to early afternoon. We want them at the hotel after the tables are set. Otherwise, we’ll have to set up the arrangements ourselves.”
