Falling in love might not be a life and death situation, but it certainly felt like it.
“You’re right,” Nova agreed. “It’s not life and death.”
“Okay, you’re saying it but you’re still as pale as a ghost. Take another deep breath.”
Nova did as directed.
“There. Now, you have some color coming back into your cheeks.”
“You won’t say anything to Torin, right?” Nova asked.
Addie looked hurt. “Of course not. Like you said earlier, this is between the two of you. It’s up to you when you tell him how you feel.”
On impulse, Nova hugged the other woman. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you before,” Addie murmured into her hair. “I care about you.”
“I care about you, too,” Nova said as she released her. “And it’s okay.”
Both women jumped when a sharp knock came on the door.
“Are you two done in there, or what?” Torin asked. “Because I’m not paying you to chat in my office.”
“Okay, there’s the Torin I know,” Addie said. “I was a little worried I’d never see him again.”
Nova had to laugh because Addie was right. Torin sounded as grumpy as he had when she first met him.
Though now she knew he wasn’t always grouchy. Sometimes, he was downright sweet.
ChapterTwenty
Torin knew something was up with Addie and Nova. He’d seen the looks his restaurant manager had been giving him and Nova all morning.
When Nova asked to speak with Addie, honestly, he’d been relieved. It meant that he wasn’t going to have to be the one to have the uncomfortable conversation.
After they’d been in his office for a while, he decided that it was more than enough time for them to get things straight or to make things worse without being too bad. He’d wandered back there and banged on the door.
When they emerged, Addie looked less worried, and Nova looked…freaked the hell out.
Torin curled a hand around Nova’s arm and said, “Addie, go ahead and get to work on the front of the house for now. We’ll be opening in another half hour. I need a chat with Nova myself.”
Addie shot him a knowing grin and he realized that she knew what was happening between Nova and him. It was probably for the best because she would keep any gossip to a minimum.
He nodded at her as he steered Nova back into his office and shut the door. He wasn’t sure but he thought he heard Addie laugh as she walked away.
“What’s up?” Nova asked, backing away from him to sit on the edge of his desk.
Her pose was nonchalant, but he could see the tension in her jaw and in the way she held her body.
“I don’t know. You just looked freaked, so I wanted to make sure everything was okay. Did Addie upset you?”
Nova’s expression changed. Softened. She smiled at him. “That’s really sweet, but Addie and I are fine.”
“Then, why did you look so upset when you came out of the office?” he asked.
“It wasn’t anything Addie said or did,” Nova hedged.
“But?”
