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“No. I’m pretty sure I can trust you.”
“Trust,” I repeat, smiling and blushing. “You can trust me. I know two wrongs don’t make a right but I understand that sometimes bad people need to be taught a lesson. It isn’t how we do things back home; however, I’m not in Minnesota anymore.”
I giggle nervously at the end of my sentence. It reminds me of the phrase fromThe Wizard of Oz.I can really relate to Dorothy right now. I feel like I’ve been tossed around in a tornado and thrown into a whole new world.
“I’m not one for society’s rules, Mia,” Nico says, looking me in the eyes. “I know there’s a way women like to be courted or whatever you want to call it.”
Courted?That’s such an old-fashioned word,I muse to myself.
“I typically wouldn’t ask a woman out after she’s witnessed… seen stuff she shouldn’t have, but I’m not one to pass up on a good thing either.”
My heart starts to pound like a drum as the realization of his words strikes me. He is asking me out. This isn’t about me staying at his house as a witness. He actually wants me to stay as his girlfriend?
Things like this don’t happen to small-town girls like me. At least, not in real life. They only happen in books, in movies, and on t.v.
“I’m not saying I believe in love at first sight or whatever it’s called these days,” he clarifies.
His words are both refreshing and disappointing. I’m not one for love at first sight either but it would be nice to have that effect on him. To know that he saw me and his whole world came to a screeching halt. Guess that stuff only happens in the entertainment world.
“I just think you’re beautiful and after spending some time with you, I know I’d like to continue that,” he says and then looks out the window again.
A grin tugs at my lips. His shyness really is adorable. What woman could feel disappointed after making the man she likes turn into a little schoolboy?
“I think it’s cute when you get bashful,” I tease. The driver and the guy in the passenger seat start to laugh, but quickly stop, when Nico faces forward glaring.
“Sorry, Boss,” they say as though they were just yelled at by their parents.
“We can continue this at home,” Nico says, looking at me. “That okay?”
“I understand.”
It’s the truth. I know that he has a reputation to uphold. He doesn’t want his guys to see him as a big softy. I can respect that, even though I really want to know everything that is running through his mind.
***
I stare at the clock on the bedroom wall. It’s been five hours and twenty-six minutes since I made it back to Nico’s house. He had to rush off to an important meeting. He apologized a million times before kissing me gently, which left me starstruck, and then off he went. I’ve tried everything to distract my mind. I ate dinner, took a shower, called my parents, scrolled social media, walked the garden, and a million other things. Nothing was helping. I wanted to see Nico. Even if we didn’t get to finish our conversation that we started in the car.
The sound of someone knocking on my bedroom door nearly scares me to death. I clutch my sleep shirt and make my way across the room.
“Yes?” I call out.
“Did I wake you?” Nico asks.
I can’t get the door open fast enough. Nico is standing there with just his slacks and button-up shirt. The jacket and tie are nowhere in sight. He looks very stressed.
“What’s wrong?’ I ask, hugging him. He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.
“Nothing now,” he says, squeezing me gently. “Everything is fine now.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” he nods. “I was worried it was too late and you’d be asleep. I wanted to come back sooner but I couldn’t. I’m really sorry, Mia.”
He rubs my back and holds me tighter. His warmth wraps around me like a blanket on a cold winter night. I feel all my worry and stress wash away. They are replaced with the feeling of comfort, protection, and love.
Even if he doesn’t believe in love at first sight, he sure knows how to make a girl feel special.
Chapter Fourteen
