A text message came in a moment later.
NASH: Had some investors come over.They knew I was talking to my girlfriend.Hope that didn’t scare you.
Maniacal laughter escaped me.Scare me?No, it didn’t scare me.It only felt like the best, most natural thing ever, andthatscared me.
CLARA: You did good.We’re so good at this.
What the fuck else was I supposed to say?
I did my best to detach from the Nash Nightingale fantasy.But the longer this went on, the harder it was to reorient myself post-Nash.Now his texts and mid-morning check-ins could derail me.I was afraid to think about what the state of affairs would be after our nine-month marriage was up.I’d probably grieve divorcing him more than a real husband.
I hadn’t expected things to get this intense this quickly.
The only way through it was by going deeper.
And no matter how much that scared me…I was fucking dying for it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CLARA
CLARA
Tuesday evening rolled around.I dropped Mia off at Zoey’s for a sleepover before returning to my apartment to stress over the newest dresses that Nash had sent in sleek garment bags.
This was a ritual I was coming to appreciate.He’d sent three dresses in varying shades of green in what he said was a “garden casual” style.I didn’t even know that style existed, but he knew far better than I did.I chose the mint green linen off-the-shoulder dress that felt both springlike and sophisticated.When my phone buzzed with a text from Nash that he was about to arrive, I felt beautiful, put-together, and ready for another evening of being Nash’s girlfriend.He beat me to my front door before I could hurry out to meet him.
When I pulled the door open, electricity cracked through the air.Nash wore a navy blazer with khaki pants and brown loafers.He looked so handsome that my breath caught in my throat.His gaze swept over me, leaving pinpricks in its wake.
“Jesus, Clara.”His voice was an appreciative growl.“You’re going to kill me in this dress.”
His words echoed through me.I’d never felt more beautiful.And that’s when I realized there was nobody else here.
He’d said those words for me.Only me.
“Isn’t that the plan?”I tried to sound lighthearted, but the way he was watching me was anything but light.“Well, that and bid on some plants.”
He held out his hand, absolutely devouring me with his heated gaze.“You picked the right dress.”
“I thought this would be your favorite,” I said with a laugh as I let him lead me out to the waiting car.“Though it was hard to choose.”
The drive to the Botanical Garden passed quickly, only because Nash insisted on having me within reach.He couldn’t keep his hands off me—his palm on my thigh, his thumb tracing lazy circles that made my core clench, his fingers lacing through mine whenever we slowed for a stoplight.
It was dizzying.And so delicious.
The New York Botanical Garden was a thing of wonder.I’d been only once in my life, back in high school, but still thought about it nearly daily from the sheer splendor of plant life it contained.The plant sale was held outside the domed conservatory in the terraced, well-tended gardens.The lush space had been transformed for the early evening event—twinkling lights strung across the walkways, tall tables set up with pink drapes for enjoying refreshments, and thousands of plants on display, ready to be purchased.
“This is adream,” I whispered as we walked through the arched entrance, my arm laced through his.I didn’t even know where to look first.“Look at all theseplants.”
“I thought you’d like this.”
“Oh my God.Look at those rhododendrons.”
“The what?”
“These.”I paused, gasping at the showy peach blossoms springing out of rows of large plastic pots.“I’ve never seen this color before.”
“We’ll buy it,” he said.
