As he drove home his head was filled with thoughts of the stunning veterinarian. Their good-night kiss had left him wanting more. All night long, Luke had been sending him looks loaded with hidden meaning. He’d tried to ignore it, but he knew his brother was curious about his relationship with Harlow. He wasn’t sure he could call it a relationship yet.What was the etiquette for such things?He had no idea. Being out of the dating game for so long had a few drawbacks. Whatever was brewing between them didn’t feel casual to him. He’d realized a long time ago that he wasn’t the type of man to fall headlong into love, but he also knew his heart didn’t usually thump so wildly in the presence of a female. He was catching feelings for Harlow at an incredibly fast rate, and there wasn’t a way to backtrack his way out of this.
Harlow was different. She made him feel all the possibilities stretched out before them. It was exciting just thinking about it. The holidays were rapidly approaching. He and Miles always spent them with his parents, but this year Luke, Stella, and Jade would be there, along with Lucy, Dante, and their families. What was two more people to add to the mix? He would invite Harlow and Malcolm, making it a grand celebration of the holidays.
Was it too soon to call her his girlfriend?He let out a deep-throated chuckle. He hadn’t felt this uncertain since his teenage years. Pretty soon he was going to break out in pimples and make plans to ask Harlow to prom. All of this was both thrilling and nerve-racking at the same time.
Once he reached home he glanced at his cell phone, smiling at the message he’d received from Harlow.
I’m at home, snug as a bug in a rug. And I can see the moon from my skylight. Sigh.
A sense of relief washed over him at the knowledge that she’d gotten home safely. Now he wouldn’t have to worry or wonder. He could rest easy once his head hit the pillow. It was yet another sign that he was beginning to care deeply about Harlow.
Nick let himself into the house and walked toward the lit-up kitchen. Van was sitting at the kitchen table with his books spread out on the table in front of him. As a biology major, Van was one of the most dedicated students Nick had ever known. He was a huge asset in their lives. Nick was forever grateful that Van was Miles’s caregiver.
“Hey, Van. How’s it going?” Nick asked, reaching into the fridge for a cold water.
“Miles went down for the night around nine o’clock. I helped him with math and a book report.” He pointed toward the fridge. “There’s a field trip slip for you to sign. They’re going to the aquarium.
“Just a heads-up. Miles asked a million questions about where you were tonight,” Van said with a shrug. “He seemed really hung up on it. A bit unusual for him.”
Nick knit his brows together. “Really? I told him exactly where I was going. Did he say that he missed me?” Miles was used to Nick staying home most nights so perhaps he’d just been curious about his whereabouts. Maybe Nick needed to talk to him about grown folks requiring adult time just like kids needed to be around other children.
“Honestly, I think he was more interested in who you were doing it with,” Van said with a raised eyebrow. “I’m just giving you some intel. He wouldn’t let up until he put his pjs on and went to bed. I think he might be questioning some things about you and Harlow.”
Nick shook his head. Maybe he’d read his son wrong. Perhaps he’d been fishing about Harlow for a reason. It was a bit perplexing, because Miles had never seemed to care about any of the other dates he’d been on. Not that he’d ever spent much time with a particular woman. Hmm. Could it be that Miles sensed this time was different? That his dad was navigating in a different manner with Harlow? For so long now, it had been the two of them against the world. Miles was bound to feel insecure if he sensed their dynamic was shifting.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Van. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. Feel free to crash in the spare bedroom if you don’t want to drive back to campus this late,” Nick offered. He would feel much better knowing Van wasn’t out on the roads so late.
Van stretched and let out a yawn. “I might just take you up on that offer. I’m pretty beat. Thanks, Nick.”
“Anytime,” Nick said, clapping Van on the shoulder as he walked past him. “Thanks for always taking such great care of Miles. You’re a huge part of our lives.”
“He makes it easy. Sometimes it feels like I’m getting paid to watch my little brother,” Van noted with a smile.
Van had become an honorary member of the Keegan family due to the close bonds they all shared. Having Van as a caregiver made it possible for Nick to work in his chosen profession while providing Miles with stability and a loving environment at all times. Nick knew single parents who struggled to find good care. He could never take Van for granted.
“Because you’re family, Van. Always will be. I’m turning in. Night.”
Nick headed upstairs where he paused briefly on the way to quietly open the door to his son’s bedroom. The soft glow of a night-light cast a warm glimmer over the room. He looked over at Miles, bundled up under his Spider-Man sheets and matching comforter. All was right in his world just knowing his son was safe and sound. Nick would make sure to check in with Miles based on his conversation with Van. If something was troubling Miles, Nick wanted to know, so he could allay his fears. As happy as he felt about life right now, Nick wanted Miles to be content as well.
His life was moving in a good direction, Nick realized. After so much pain and heartbreak, the sun was finally breaking through the clouds. He would never forget his life with Kara or what she meant to him as his first love and the mother of his child, but he was at a point where making room in his heart for another woman felt right. Not just another woman. Harlow.
It had to be Harlow.
***
The following morning Harlow woke up at the crack of dawn feeling invigorated. Last night at Baxter’s had been a perfect evening out. She ran her finger over her lips as thoughts of kissing Nick flashed in her mind. He was both tender and passionate, making her feel wanted in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. And not just in a physical way. Unlike other men she’d been involved with, Nick was exploring all aspects of her. He seemed curious about her as a person, wanting to know what made her tick. There was absolutely nothing superficial about the man. Nick radiated sincerity.
As soon as Harlow arrived at Paws, she was up to her elbows in work, all the way up until lunchtime, when she could finally breathe. She’d been bringing Bear into work with her for the last few weeks, and on impulse, Harlow decided to take him for a little drive around town so they could both get a dose of fresh air.
Once she got Bear settled in the back seat, which allowed him to stretch out, they took off toward the center of town. Harlow smiled as she watched Bear in her rearview mirror. He loved the sensation of wind whipping through his shaggy mane. A creature of habit, he always put his entire head out the window so he could enjoy the view. As people drove past them, Bear garnered a lot of smiles and friendly waves. Everyone loved an adorable Sheltie.
“You’re so popular, Bear,” she called out to him, which earned her a quizzical look from the pup. “Who’s a pretty boy?” she asked in a crooning tone. Once she reached the grassy area in the town square Harlow pulled over and parked. She reached for Bear’s toys, then attached his leash to his collar. Harlow got out of the Saab and opened up the back door for Bear. Her dog didn’t hesitate to jump down onto the sidewalk, his tail wagging happily behind him.
“Let’s go play,” Harlow said, throwing the tennis ball on the grass. Bear followed the trajectory of the tennis ball and chased after it, his large body lumbering across the green. Bear fetched the ball and trotted back to her, breathing heavily as he reached her side. The exercise was good for him, since he was technically a few pounds overweight and he spent his days in her office sleeping.
“Good boy,” she said, leaning down and patting Bear before throwing the ball again. Without skipping a beat, Bear ran off after the tennis ball. Bear was a sweetheart of a dog who always sought to make Harlow happy. Her pet was a people pleaser.
A few moments later, Harlow heard a slight commotion across the street. She turned toward the area, where a young boy in a wheelchair cradled a small dog in his arms as his older female companion looked on. The pup was letting out mournful cries that sounded as if the dog was in pain.
