He sighed. “All right, then, as you wish.”
Jannie relaxed. Well, kind of. He hadn’t pressured or insisted, and she appreciated that. But as soon as he stood up, her stomach clenched, and everything inside her screamednoas she heard his footsteps retreat.
A moment later, the jingling of dog tags told her that Rolf had jumped up and followed him.
“Want me to take him outside?” Nick asked.
“Sure.” She thought for a moment. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere. I’ll order a pizza—”
Rolf barked.
“—or something. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good. But don’t say the p-word, or he’ll get overexcited and obnoxious.”
Nick grinned. “Got it. I’ll cancel the reservations, and you can bebored to tears by me for the rest of the evening.” He motioned toward the bathroom. “I went and got a few things while you were asleep. How does a bath sound?”
It sounded like heaven. No tub in the Orlando house; Blake had insisted they wouldn’t have time for baths, and she had gone along with it, later regretting the decision.
“Thank you, I could use a good soak.”
“Take your time. I’ll run the bath for you. Should be about ten minutes. What do you like on your, uh”—he glanced at Rolf—“pie?”
“Cheese.”
“Just cheese?”
“Anything else ruins the flavor.”
“Okaaayy.” He disagreed, she could tell, but he smiled and nodded. “Cheese it is.”
He disappeared into the bathroom.
“You like it warmer or cooler?” he called.
She sat up. “I like it hot!”
“Should have guessed,” she heard him mutter.
The gentle tones of spa music soon accompanied the sound of rushing water.
Nick emerged from the bathroom, rubbing his damp hands together. “All set. Enjoy your bath. I’ll order the food. I’ll meet you in the family room when you’re done, in … is half an hour enough time for you?”
She had to smile. “Half an hour is plenty.”
“Good. I’ll time the delivery. Text me if you need anything.” He tapped his watch, then looked down at Rolf. “Come on, buddy. Let’s let your mom relax. We’ve got dragons to catch.”
•
Jannie
Jannie stared at the flickering candles, scooping a handful of jasmine-scented bubbles and blowing, sending white soapy flakes drifting through the air. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed aproper soak in a tub, and when she had, it definitely wasn’t in one this large, big enough for two.
Nick had thought of everything. On a bamboo caddy, she found a bar of soap, a scrubbing mitt, a back brush, and three small bottles of different scented bubble baths. He even left a plastic wineglass and a single-serving bottle of prosecco, which she hadn’t opened, but she appreciated the care he’d taken in setting up.
He’d even placed a rolled-up towel at the end of the tub, where she could rest her head.
