He pulled away, smiling. “Thanks for asking. I’ve wanted to do that since we were in the elevator.”
“Me, too.”
He kissed her briefly once more before driving away from the hospital. Once he was on the road, his hand grasped hers, tenderly cradling it in his hand.
“Did you go to the bank yesterday?” she asked.
He frowned. “No, I promised I’d wait for you. However, the president of the bank came to the office, so I talked to him. He told me the bank couldn’t lower the payment. He couldn’t even rewrite the loan and lower the interest rate.”
Disappointment filled her. “Well, that’s only strike one. Right?”
“Right.” He winked. “We’ll just move to plan B tomorrow.”
“What’s plan B?”
“Talking to the wealthy investors from the nearby cities to see if they want to become top shareholders of the company.”
“Oh, yes. I think we’ll get help there.”
Silence filled the car for a few more moments as she stared at his gorgeous face. She would never get tired of looking at him.
“Mick?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Her heart hammered out of control, preparing in her mind what she wanted to tell him. “I’ve wanted to say this for a few days now, and even though this isn’t the place I’d wanted to make this confession, I know I can’t hold it in any longer.”
She swallowed hard and moistened her dry lips with her tongue. He peeked her way. His eyes brimmed with happiness.
“Mick, I wanted to tell you... I’ve been feeling differently lately. About you. And I think I... I mean, I know in my heart... I mean...” Inwardly, she groaned. This was something she’d never told a man before, except for her grandfather. “Mick, I don’t know how to say this. But I think... I...”
He squeezed her hand. “I love you, too, Nicole.”
She gasped as joy overflowed inside of her. “How did you know I was going to say that?”
“I could see it in your eyes.” He glanced her way, again. “And I love you so very much, Nicole Adkins.”
Sighing, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Let’s have this conversation again later tonight when we’re alone.”
“Anything you say, sweetheart.”
