Page 116 of Halo

“Of course.” I smile.

“Talk to you later, beautiful.”

“Looking forward to it.”

I end the call and set my phone down only to find Rachel carefully watching me from across the table.

“What was that about?”

“Oh, it was Nick. He went hunting with some friends and is heading back this afternoon.”

“He went hunting in this weather?”

I laugh. “I don't think he actually did much of the hunting, but yes, it's deer season, and one of the guys’ ... has a blind? Or he knows a guy? Something like that.”

“And he's calling because …?” She takes a sip of her soup.

“We had talked about getting together for a little bit tonight, but work called. They need him for a few hours tonight.”

Rachel dabs her mouth with a napkin. “Y’know? That's something to think about.”

“What is?”

“His job. His son.” She shrugs. “There are always going to be things he has to put first. How do you feel about that?”

I snort sardonically. “He has responsibilities like the rest of us, Rach. I wouldn't want him to ignore them for me.”

“I'm not saying he should. I'm asking if you're okay with being second.”

“I'm not …” I pause, considering her words. “That's … not really fair, Rach. He has multiple things that are important to him, and the priority is going to change depending on the situation. Tonight, he's helping someone out because their mother-in-law died. That doesn't mean he chose work over me. It's really not that simple.”

She peers at me for a few moments, a soft smile curling her lips. “You're really falling for him, aren't you?”

I suck in my bottom lip, nodding. “He's a really good guy, Rach. I'm trying to take things slow, but every time we talk, he just …” My cheeks swirl with heat as I avert my eyes to my sandwich.

“He what?”

The corner of my mouth curls. “He makes everything so easy.”

She sighs. “Just be careful, okay? And if y'all do cross that bridge, don't let Matt find out. And maybe … y’know, get him tested.”

“Rachel, good grief …”

The waitress appears beside our table with a brown paper bag. “Can I get you ladies anything else this afternoon?”

“Just the check, thanks.” I reach into my purse for my wallet.

“Let me get it—”

“Absolutely not. I offered to take you to lunch. Consider this more spoiling.”

“Actually …” The waitress smiles, glancing between us. “The bill's already been taken care of.”

I pause. “What?”

“A Nicholas Crawford took care of it. And he wanted y'all to have these.” She sets the paper bag in front of me before reaching inside and pulling out two wrapped brownies.

Rachel stares at the desserts, then at me. “He paid for everything?”