Her eyes misted again.For someone who’d refused to shed tears in front of others, she was turning into a crybaby tonight.“Thanks again for letting me get that out of my system.”
His smile was warm.“Anytime.It always feels better when you have a chance to let it out.It’s easier to build yourself back up again.”
She leaned in and hugged him.“You’re a very good man, Nash.”
He hugged her back and kissed her hair.“And you’re an amazing woman.”
Then he stepped back.“Good night, Olivia.”
“Good night, Nash.”
She hesitated with her hand on the knob and turned back.“Parsons.His name is Adam Parsons.”
Surprise and satisfaction showed on his face before he leaned down to kiss her lightly.“Thank you.Sleep well.”
He waited until she closed the door and turned the lock.Once she had, she turned to lean against the door.
Her body nearly floated, and her heart was already doing that.She brushed her fingers over lips that continued to tingle from his touch.
She wasn’t sure she’d sleep, but if she did, the dreams would be delicious.
Chapter13
Far And Away
Nash and Charlie waited with Ella Mae in what they called a green room.Olivia was doing her first interview in a studio elsewhere in the building.
The four of them had arrived in New York only a few hours before.Enough time to check into a hotel with adjoining rooms and find the studio.An actual suite would have cost him a month’s bartending wages, but this would work as well.He didn’t want Olivia to be afraid.
“Lee.Lee.”
Charlie looked up at Nash with a grin.“Do you think Ella’s saying my name?”
Nash nodded.“I think so.”She’d been saying Lee a lot over the past few days, always when she wanted Charlie’s attention.
Charlie lit up.“That’s so cool.Hi Ella.Can you say my name?Can you say Charlie?”
“Lee.Lee.Lee.”
With each repetition, Ella’s voice got louder until she squealed with delight.
Charlie leaned forward and hugged her, sending Nash’s heart booming.His son loved this little girl with all the fierceness in his ten-year-old heart.So did Nash.He was pretty sure they’d both fallen for Olivia as well.
Now, he had to figure out what to do about it.
How did Olivia feel?He thought she might be on the same page, but he couldn’t be sure.Was she simply grateful to him for helping her find a secure place to stay?
Except the kisses they’d shared told a very different story.
They hadn’t said the words yet, but he was sure Olivia’s feelings went beyond gratitude and friendship.
Charlie pulled one of his old board books out of the baby bag and started to read Ella a story, leaving Nash to his thoughts.He’d never expected to fall in love again, but he had.
He needed to pull his head out of his feelings and keep his attention on protecting Olivia and Ella from any potential danger.
His online searches hadn’t told him a lot.He’d eliminated a lot of men by age alone, but he couldn’t find social media links for an Adam Parsons who matched what Nash knew.The group home where Olivia had spent her teen years had been in the Bronx.Far away from Manhattan, but that didn’t mean that’s where he continued to live.
The man’s name wasn’t unique, and Nash had found dozens of Adam Parsons working in New York.Everything from stock market traders to advertising executives to bartenders and even a man who made a living flipping signs on street corners.
