Page 101 of Something Like That

“Nick…” Her voice cracked, every feeling inside her pouring out with the single syllable.

And then he was kissing her, his lips against hers, warm and insistent. He cupped her face in his hands, his touch, gentle, almost reverent.

She slipped her hands inside his unbuttoned coat and wrapped her arms around him, melting against his chest and soaking in his heat, not quite believing he was here. That he was here, and he was kissing her.

He brushed his tongue against her lips. She opened her mouth, welcoming him in. His deep, dark taste exploded everywhere his tongue explored. She made an unexpected needy sound in the back of her throat, squeezed him tighter. He trembled.

She fisted her hands in the back of his shirt, holding tight. He pulled away from the kiss. She whimpered, not ready to stop kissing him. She wanted to kiss him forever.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing his lips against her forehead. He kept repeating it over and over again as he pressed kisses all over her face.

Someone cleared their throat. He lifted his head, moving his hands down so they rested on her hips. She glanced over her shoulder. Tyler stood next to the booth, his smile wide, but with a sly edge. The waiter was clearing the table, sneaking glances at them, an amused look on his face.

Her cheeks prickled at all the attention, but honestly, she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was Nick and that he was here. With her. In her arms. She’d been so sure she’d lost him, it was hard to believe this was really happening.

Tyler walked over. “I’m going to head out.”

Nick nodded. “Sounds good.”

She let go of the death grip she had on Nick and stepped back. What she really wanted to do was bury her face against his chest and just breathe him in. But she couldn’t do that.

And not only because of their audience. She couldn’t let her feelings and her hormones take over, at least not until they had a chance to talk.

Tyler pressed a kiss to her temple. “Even though he’s an idiot, hear him out.” The words were low, for her ears only.

She laughed, and it felt like the first time in weeks. “You planned this, didn’t you? It was Nick you were texting with during dinner.”

He shrugged. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a squeeze. He did that brotherly pat on the back thing again, which made her laugh harder. He was a good friend. She was glad Nick had him in his life.

She let go and stepped back. He and Nick did that quick, bro-hug, back-slapping thing, and then he was gone.

And it was just her and Nick.

He rubbed the back of his neck, staring at the ugly tiled floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world. The silence between them stretched tight, making her skin tingle. Or, maybe that was the stares of the bar patrons. They’d become the main attraction, the night’s entertainment.

“Can we go somewhere?” She grabbed her coat and purse from the booth. “To talk?”

He nodded. “Do you want to go upstairs? To my room?”

She hesitated. That was probably a really bad idea.

Her apprehension must have been broadcast across her face because he shook his head. “Sorry, that was inappropriate.” Sweat dotted his brow. He wiped it off with his sleeve.

“Did you run here?” She steered him out of the restaurant and into the lobby. Somewhere they’d no longer be the center of attention. She stopped in front of him and planted her hands on her hips. “With what is probably a grade two concussion? When I know you were told to not do any strenuous activity, at least for a couple of weeks?”

He tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her cheek. One side of his mouth was tilted up in that half smile she loved. “I didn’t want you to leave before I got here. And I promise, I only lightly jogged from where the cab dropped me off on the corner.”

“You need to stop doing that.” She tried to keep her voice even, serious, but it was so hard when he was touching her. A not-so-small part of her wanted to lean into it, maybe nuzzle his hand a little.

But, no. No. She couldn’t do that because she was still mad at him for dismissing her so easily earlier. Sucking face like horny teenagers in the middle of the restaurant notwithstanding.

She stepped back, hoping the space would knock some sense back into her.

He must have gotten the message because he nodded once, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. His shoulders were tense, hanging out up around his ears. He looked sad and unsure and uncomfortable.

She should be happy about the fact he was miserable, especially after everything he’d put her through this last week, but she couldn’t bring herself to be so petty. He’d had so much crap thrown at him recently, it was a wonder he was even standing here and not curled up in the fetal position somewhere. She didn’t think she’d be doing so well if she was in his place.

“Let’s go for a walk.” He tilted his head in the direction of the front door.