Page 22 of Always My Love

“I didn’t mean to—” she started, but he stopped her.

“Soon, maybe we’ll both open up. For now, I’m starving,” he said with a smile, instantly lightening the mood.

“Okay, then your childhood isn’t off limits?” she asked.

“Nope, that’s the best part of my past.” He grinned as he found a parking spot in front of Baked. “What do you want me to tell you about growing up in Pride?”

She smiled. “Everything.”

As they ate their loaded pizza, Nick proceeded to do just that, starting clear back at the first time he remembered going out on the sailboat. He covered his first kiss, to a girl named Kathy, and his first girlfriend, Ava.

“That relationship lasted a whole three months, until I caught her kissing my ex-friend Billy.” He narrowed his eyes as if he still held a grudge.

“How old were you?” she asked, feeling very lighthearted.

Nick tilted his head slightly. “Fifteen, I think.” He leaned his elbows on the table. “What about you? Surely you had a boyfriend?”

She stilled, and her entire body went tense. “Nope, I’ve never been in a real relationship before.” She tried to keep the lighthearted mood but could tell Nick was taking that information in.

“What about your first kiss?” he asked.

Again, she paused. “Snuffy. He was the cat that scratched Hailey.”

Nick chuckled and thankfully moved on with the conversation.

Even though her past was a complication she didn’t like to think about, let along talk about, she loved hearing all about Nick’s childhood. The town of Pride somehow felt more hers after hearing about it through the eyes of a man who had grown up in it.

“Look, it’s snowing.” Nick motioned to the dark windows.

Sure enough, thick white flakes floated slowly down to the ground, highlighted by the light from the streetlamps.

How could she ever imagine leaving a place like this? Still, she knew that if things went south, she’d have to.

Only, this time, Hailey wouldn’t be coming with her. Her sister had become just as enchanted with Pride as she was. There was no way she would rip her from something so wonderful. Hailey deserved to live in such a charming place. Harper didn’t.

As they drove back to Nick’s place, she had pretty much figured out a plan for bugging out and leaving her sister behind if the need arose.

When Nick parked back in his driveway, he turned to her.

“Something in you has changed.” He shifted to get a better look at her. “You went to a darker place.”

She was a little surprised that he could tell. Even though she’d kept up the light conversation, it was true. Just the thought of having to leave had caused a sadness to almost overwhelm her.

“I like Pride,” she said, looking down at her fingers. “The thought of having to leave here makes me sad.”

“Leave?” Nick asked. “Why would you have to leave?”

Her eyes moved up to his. “Sometimes your past catches up with you.”

They were both silent for a moment. “You’re more of a mystery than I thought you’d be. Still, who you are is clearly written in your face and your actions. You’re not a bad person, Harper.” He reached over and touched a strand of her hair. “Whatever you think is coming for you, if you let me, I’ll stand in its way.”

“Why would you?” she asked, frowning slightly.

He smiled. “I’d think that was obvious.” He pulled her across the console and kissed her.