She wanted him to touch a lot of things.
Once again, heat ravaged her face.
She was going to have to see a doctor for it if this kept up.
Luckily, the food provided some distraction.The caterers had brought in chafing dishes full of cheesy pastas, meatballs and salads, and they were currently serving out the food.
“Nice spread,” said Nick.“Thanks again, Claire.I know Lacey arranged the food, but I know you did a lot too.I’ve seen my mom and dad prepare a lot of dinner parties.I know how much work is involved.”
“You’re not really a dinner-hosting kind of guy?”
He laughed.“No, I guess I’m more a show-up-to-eat kind of guy.”He held up a finger.“But I never come empty-handed.My mom would kill me if I did that.”
“I like the sound of your mom.”
“She’s a good woman.She really cares for people.Everything she does is from the heart.”
Suddenly, Claire’s favorite handyman was even more alluring.There was something special about a man who wasn’t afraid to talk about how much he loved his mom.
They both allowed the caterers to load up their plates, then retreated to another part of the kitchen.
“I met Emily and Bernie,” she said.“Your sisters-in-law are really nice.”
“Yeah, they are.My brothers are two lucky dudes.”
“You could have brought someone too, you know, if you wanted.”Nice, Claire.So smooth.
“I’m not seeing anyone, but thanks.”Nick gave her a funny look, one she wasn’t able to read.
Maybe she should stop trying to read into his looks, and just ask him.
As she tried to find the words, he volunteered the info.“I was involved with someone a while back, but it didn’t end too well.”
Claire wanted to say she knew what had happened with Kristy Moran, that she thought Nick had been treated shabbily, but all she ended up saying was, “I’m sorry.”
“It was probably for the best.It was fun when it started, but it went downhill quickly enough.I guess we just weren’t a good fit.”He took a bite of pasta and swallowed.“Besides, with me going away soon, I figure it’s best not to start anything I can’t finish.”
“Of course.Long-distance relationships are the worst.I would never get involved in one of those.Too hard.”
“Right.What about you?”
“Me?”
“Are you dating at all?”
“Oh, that.I did try going on a couple of dates not long ago.Like you said, though.Not the right fit.I really only went on the dates to appease Mia.She’s been urging me to get out there again.It’s not that they weren’t nice guys.On paper, they looked great.They were cute and polite.No red flags, you know?”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah,” said Claire.“The first guy was a divorced dad and he said he had a healthy relationship with his ex.He was his daughter’s soccer coach.He loved the same kinds of food that I do, the same kinds of movies.”
“He sounds nice.”
“The second guy was even better.He was a banker who did a lot of charity work.He liked working on old cars, and he even looked a little bit like a superhero.”
“Hell,” said Nick.“I’ddate that guy.”
“There was only one problem.I just felt no—”
