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Chapter Thirteen
Meghan
We make our way to the office, a box sitting on my lap containing a couple of éclairs for the other ladies. There’s no time to stop at the karate place to get my car, so I’m stuck being driven around by Nick. Not that it’s a bad thing.
Not at all.
In fact, I kinda like spending all this time with him, outside of the office.
The morning flies by as patients come and go from my chair. When Nick comes into my little room, he’s charismatic and engaging with the patients as always. I also catch him stealing sly glances at me and offering these cute little smiles, like he knows some big secret. It makes me feel all schoolgirl giddy, a feeling that I haven’t felt in so very long.
When lunch rolls around, Patty takes off to walk at the park, as she usually does over the lunch hour, and Erika leaves for the day, only working part time on Thursdays. “Ready?” Nick asks when he enters my little room.
“Yep,” I respond, grabbing my purse from the cabinet.
As we make our way to the rear of the office, Nick places his hand low on my back. Warmth floods my bloodstream and I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face if you paid me a million kajillion dollars. It’s a pleasant feeling, one that not only makes me smile but makes me feel alive. Wanted.
Together, we walk to the end of the block to the deli with amazing panini sandwiches. There are only a few tables open as we make our way to the front of the room to place our order. “Do you know what you’re having?” Nick asks as we wait behind another couple for our turn.
“Absolutely! Is there any other sandwich than the turkey?”
“Not if you like spicy mustard,” he says, glancing at the menu.
“Are you telling me you don’t like the turkey panini? That’s it. We can’t be friends,” I tease.
“It’s all right, but I have issues with the onions.”
“You have issues with grilled red onions? And here I thought you were a good guy.”
“Why do you like grilled red onions? Don’t they make your breath smell like…grilled red onions?”
I can’t help it. I giggle. “I’m going to eat grilled red onions now for lunch right before you clean my teeth.”
That makes him laugh. “Thank God I’m not kissing you after that,” he says with a wide smile. Then his face falls, as if registering exactly what he just said. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay,” I say with a shrug. “I guess I’ll just have to make sure to brush my teeth after I eat grilled red onions…and before you kiss me.”
Why does my heart feel so light and free in this moment? It feels amazing to smile and joke, even if the pun is about kissing another man. Nick. Specifically, kissing Nick.
“Can I take your order?” the young high school girl asks from behind the counter.
“Yes, we’d like a turkey panini special with a Sprite and a ham and Swiss panini special with water, please.” He orders for both of us, but that doesn’t bother me. The fact that he knows exactly what I want is actually a little comforting.
Nick pays, even though I had told him earlier that I was buying lunch today. While we wait for our number to be called, I find a small table over by the window. He pulls my seat out for me, which isn’t really surprising, since Nick has always been a complete gentleman. But that begs the question: I wonder what he’s like when he’s not a gentleman? No, I have no right wondering such a thing, especially about my boss…my friend, but now that the seed is planted, it’s growing deep roots and sprouting leaves.
I kinda need to know what Nick would be like when he loses control.
“Are you all right? Your cheeks just turned red. Do we need to sit closer to the air conditioner?” he asks, concern written all over his very handsome face. In fact, he’s gorgeous. In his work attire, his trunks on the boat, or his white outfit thingy at the dojo, he’s simply a stunning specimen of man.
“I’m fine,” I reply, waving my hand dismissingly. Nick takes the seat across from me, his eyes seeming to know exactly where my mind had wandered.
Our number is called quickly, and he makes his way up to the counter to grab our tray. When he returns to the table, my mouth waters at the sight of one of my favorite sandwiches.
“Thank you,” I say as he sets my food in front of me.
“You’re welcome.”
We both dive in, knowing that our time away from the office is limited. My station is all ready to go for our first afternoon patient, but we’re still expected to return before everyone starts to arrive.
