Page 96 of At First Catch

“A little,” I admit.

Nolan studies me carefully for another moment before stepping closer. The warmth of him envelops me.

“You know what I think?” he asks.

I shake my head once.

“I think you’ve spent so much time taking care of everybody else that the idea of somebody showing up for you feels uncomfortable.”

The words take me by surprise, and I physically stop breathing for a second. No one—absolutely no one—has ever said something so painfully accurate to me before.

I stare at him helplessly, understanding why this feels different from every other relationship I’ve ever had.

My throat closes. I search for something sarcastic to say. Anything. Nothing comes.

“Nolan.”

His eyes soften.

And as if on instinct, my hand shoots out toward him. My fingers curl lightly around his wrist while the marina moves around us in warm sunlight.

I don’t even remember reaching for him. My hand is simply there. Wrapped around his wrist. Like my body decided before my brain caught up.

Nolan glances down at my hand briefly, then back to my face.

“How are you real?” A tiny gasp escapes my lips before I can clamp my hand over my mouth.

A surprised laugh escapes him.

“Pretty sure I was about to ask you the same thing.”

Before either of us can say anything else, Miguel appears farther down the dock carrying electrical wiring. He takes one look at us standing too close together, then turns around.

“Nope,” he calls over his shoulder. “I’m respecting workplace boundaries.”

My cheeks burn, and a faint tremor runs through my hands as Nolan laughs next to me.

The sound vibrates warm and rough through the air between us.

I glare toward Miguel’s retreating figure. “I hate everyone here.”

“No, you don’t.”

Nolan’s shoulder brushes mine lightly when he shifts closer again.

Tiny contact.

Still enough to send warmth blooming through my entire body.

“So,” he says.

I narrow my eyes. “That tone sounds dangerous.”

“Our date later.”

“Where are you taking me?” I ask.

One corner of his mouth lifts.