“Don’t say that. You will get a heart.”
Rebecca nodded. “Well, I sort of have a bucket list. You know a list of tasks to complete.”
“Yeah?” he asked with a grin. “What’s on the list?”
Rebecca’s lips parted to speak, but he cut her off.
“Never mind, do you have time for me to take you to lunch?”
“Umm…” She glanced down at her watch. “I have time for lunch.”
He cupped her face in his hands and brought their lips together. He kissed her with an intensity that made her feel less alone. When the kiss ended, she stared into his eyes and was instantly worried about the hope she saw in his gaze. He stood, pulling her up with him.
“Come on, beautiful. We can talk about how we’re gonna knock some stuff off this list.”
14
CATO
“Hello, handsome.”Rebecca beamed when he made it to the table. The way her eyes roamed over him with such appreciation gave him an indescribable feeling of joy. “You clean up very nicely.”
Nick rubbed his hands over his black suit coat. “I’ve been told,” he teased with a grin. “You look beautiful,” he complimented as he took the seat across the small table. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
He reached across the table for her hand and rubbed his thumb over her fingers.
“I know you don’t believe this, but youwillhave many more.”
Rebecca smiled without responding, and he knew why. It had been a month since she’d told him about her condition and he was no closer to coming to terms with the impending outcome. After taking Vera, fate wouldn’t bring Rebecca into his life just to take her away.
“How was your visit?”
“Good.” Nick smiled. “Baby’s heartbeat is strong.”
“That’s wonderful. Won’t be long now.”
“Whew! I know.” He chuckled.
Nervous couldn’t begin to describe how he felt about becoming a single dad, and there wasn’t a parenting book or class that could calm his anxiety.
“You’re gonna have to get that nursery finished.”
“I’m done,” he beamed. “I can’t wait for you to see it.”
She narrowed her eyes skeptically. “Already? You just started a couple of weeks ago. You work all week and you’re always at my place or at the hospital. When exactly did you have time to finish?”
Nick laughed. “I made time… time to hire a decorator that is.”
Rebecca laughed and took a sip of white wine. He never said anything, but he’d seen the amount of medication she took every day and he’d noticed how easily she tired from what most would consider normal activity. She liked a glass or two of wine after work, and he was curious as to how alcohol interacted with her medicine.
“Good evening, sir. Can I get you something to drink?”
He looked up at the waiter. He was speaking to him, but staring at Rebecca’s cleavage. And he understood why. She did look extremely sexy in a low-cut little purple number.
“Aye, I’m over here!” Nick stared at the waiter.
He couldn’t blame him, but he would knock the shit out of him for ogling what he strangely considered his.
