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“Nolan, you’re early!” she exclaimed.
“Would it sound ridiculous if I said I couldn’t wait to see you?”
He bent and kissed her cheek and even though the touch was about as innocent as you could get, Raina immediately felt her body flare to aching life. She wanted him so much and it was quite clear to her that he felt the same way.
But why didn’t he tell her about his wife and son?
Oh, sure, she could come right out and ask him, but she strongly felt that this was Nolan’s story to tell on his own terms—even if waiting didn’t sit comfortably with her. She’d learned the hard way not to push a man for the truth. In the past, and with Jeb in particular, men had only told her what they thought she wanted to hear. She didn’t want to travel down that road with Nolan. He’d tell her about his family when he was ready, she reminded herself for the umpteenth time.
She pushed the niggling thoughts to the back of her mind, determined to enjoy his company tonight.
“I’ve been looking forward to tonight, too.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you lock up?” Nolan asked.
“No, I’m just about finished. It’s been quiet today. I guess not everyone wants to buy antiques for Christmas.”
“I’d say that was a shame but if it means we get to spend more time together, who am I to complain?”
Nolan smiled at her but Raina’s attention was caught by a dark bruise on the edge of his jaw. She raised a hand and gently touched the mark with her fingertips.
“What on earth have you been up to to get this?” she asked.
Nolan grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips before letting it go again. “It’s nothing. Something just flew up and hit me when I wasn’t expecting it.”
She searched his face, but he just smiled at her in return.
“Are you ready to go? We can get a drink before the movies if we leave now.”
“Sure,” she shrugged. “I doubt I’ll get any last-minute customers at this stage of the day.”
Raina grabbed her jacket and set the alarm system before they left through the front door. She shivered as the cold air outside cut through her.
“It almost feels as if it could snow,” she commented as Nolan held open his car door for her and helped her up into the SUV.
“Yeah, it might. But even if it does, I doubt it’ll stick. You know what it’s like around here this time of year.”
They made small talk in the car, mostly discussing JJ and how excited he was about Christmas being only six days away. Nolan was good company, the best male company she’d ever had, she decided. If only he’d open up about his past.
The movie was a comedy, and Raina was glad because she loved to hear Nolan laugh—which he did, loudly and often. Afterward, they walked to a nearby Italian place she’d never been to before. The proprietors greeted Nolan like a long lost son and she didn’t miss the glance that passed between the Italian couple when Nolan introduced her.
They were shown to a secluded table with low lighting and the ubiquitous red checkered tablecloth and a candle inserted in a used Chianti bottle.
“This is lovely,” Raina commented as they studied their menus. “Do you come here often?”
“Not in a long time,” he admitted. “It used to be a favorite.”
A favorite with his wife perhaps? Maybe that explained the owners’ slightly uncomfortable expressions when he’d introduced her.
“So, can you recommend anything?”
“Let’s see,” Nolan drawled, running his eyes across the menu card. “The veal scalloppini is always good, especially if you’re not crazy about pasta. Hell, I didn’t think. You do like Italian food, don’t you? I just assumed—”
“I love Italian food, and the scalloppini sounds perfect,” she hastened to reassure him.
“Okay. What about an appetizer?” he prompted.
“You choose. I’m pretty much okay with everything.”
He nodded and beckoned the waiter over, ordering them a platter of antipasto to start, followed by the veal and a bottle of Chianti to go with it.
Raina was feeling decidedly mellow by the end of the evening. The movie, the food and the company had all been incredible, and when Nolan drove back to her house she knew what her next step was.
“Will you come inside?” she asked as they sat in the car in the pitch-dark night.
“I’d like that,” Nolan agreed, and together they walked up the front path to her house.
