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“Are you seeing anyone?”
This is the last question I expected, and I almost choke as I shake my head.
“Good, because I want to take you out to dinner. Unfortunately, we have an away game this weekend, which means I’m leaving tomorrow. We’re not scheduled to return until Monday. Are you free Monday night?”
“Won’t you be tired? Indianapolis isn’t an easy trip.”
His lips tip up in a knowing grin. “How’d you know I’d be in Indy?”
Busted! Shit, I’m terrible at this secrecy thing. If I don’t learn to shut my big mouth, he’ll know exactly how much I’ve followed him throughout the years, which makes me pathetic. I try my best to act nonchalant and once again blame it on Logan.
“I told you, my brother likes football.”
He doesn’t hide his amusement, standing and taking me with him. I was too preoccupied earlier when he hugged me to notice, but he still towers over me, even in my heels.
My chest bumps into his, and I catch myself by bracing my hand on his stomach, feeling the ripples under his shirt. Involuntarily, my fingers grip the material, and I hold tight.
His hands move down to mine where he links them together. I draw in a breath and peek up, locking eyes with him. The air in the room changes as he licks his bottom lip. “I’m glad your brother likes football. Maybe he’ll come to a game sometime.”
“He might like that.” I fight hard not to stutter over my words. He knows I’m lying, but I’ll be damned if I admit it. I’ve given too much away already.
“I hate to leave, but I’ve got to get to the stadium. Can I call you tonight?”
“I’d like that.”
He gently removes my hands from his stomach but keeps one firmly in his grasp and leads us to the front of the gallery. When we get to the door, he turns to me and pulls his phone out of his back pocket.
“What’s your number?”
I rattle off my new Miami number and hear my phone ringing in my purse in the back room. He puts the phone to his ear and waits.
“Hey, Grace, it’s Nick. I’m standing here with you, so I know you’ll get this message. I’m heading to work, but I’ll call you around eight. If I miss you, call me back.” He hangs up and drops the phone back into his pocket.
“I’m standing right here, you know?” I say playfully, my butterflies returning. Two years is a long time, but he still has the ability to make my heart flutter.
“Yes, but I wanted to give you a reminder.”
“I see you haven’t lost your charm.”
His face takes on a new expression, one I’ve seen once before, and I fight to keep the tears at bay.
“It’s been a long time, Grace, since anyone has called me charming. I’ve gotta say, it feels good.”
“Nick, I’m sorry,” is all I can get out before his finger crosses my lips.
“Not now, Sweet Grace. Not now. I’m dying to know what happened, but not when I have to leave and you have to work. We’ll talk about it later. But promise me something.”
“What?”
“Promise me you’ll answer this time when I call.”
“I promise,” I respond immediately.
He leans in and brushes his lips across mine in a wisp of a kiss. Then he kisses my forehead before stepping back and letting me go. “It’s really good to see you, Grace.”
I don’t get a chance to respond before he’s gone and climbing into his truck with a wave. As soon as he’s driven away, I place my fingers to my lips and am transported back to my apartment
two years ago when he did the same thing. That was one of the single greatest moments of my life at the time.
