“I want something, and he hands it over—it’s all right there for the taking. You think you matter that much? If you do, let’s talk when you become Mrs. Holcomb.”
I was like a fighter in battle mode, ready to shoot back a sharp retort at every word Tracy threw at me. Deep down, I still couldn’t help but hate her. Tracy stood rooted to the spot, silently watching me walk away.
It was a little after nine when Nathan called out of the blue. I was at home, going cross-eyed from all the paperwork, and his call felt like a breath of fresh air. “Are you asleep yet?” he asked, his voice low and smooth.
“Not yet. How about you?” I put my laptop down and stepped out onto the balcony. After staring at my screen for ages, letting my eyes wander outside felt like a treat.
“I’m on my way to Shaville. I’ll be there in about half an hour,” Nathan said. His words made my heart skip a beat.
“So, what brings you to Shaville?” I asked.
Nathan answered with a smile, “Just here to sign a contract.”
“Oh.”
“Honestly, I just wanted to see you.”
He made me laugh out loud. “Seriously, why are you here?”
“To see you,” Nathan replied, his voice low and intimate. “I came straight over as soon as I got off work.”
“Really?” His words were flirting with me, and I couldn’t help but feel a little giddy inside.
“Yeah,” Nathan replied, “Where are you right now? Is it cool if I come over?”
Was it? Of course, it was—I was all alone here, so his coming over was no problem at all. But I didn’t forget that I turned him down just a few days ago. If I let him come over now, that seemed kind of unfair to him. My head was buzzing, but I just gave him my address.
Sure enough, an hour later, Nathan pulled up outside my building. I hurried downstairs and spotted him outside the gate. He was standing under the streetlight, dressed in a crisp white shirt and slacks, tall and elegant—just a little out of reach.
“It must be a long trip. Did you get a chance to eat?” I couldn’t help but ask out of concern.
“Nope,” Nathan said. He looked fresh, not a hint of exhaustion, just clear eyes with a spark of excitement.
As I looked at him, I was suddenly reminded of how Jared used to be. Damn it, back then, we were just as wild and crazy in love—always glued to each other, never tired, just soaking up every bit of that romance.
It hit me then—Nathan was already lost in this, completely caught up. But me? Part of me was still sober, part of me holding back, and I just couldn’t let myself get swept up with him.
“Come on, let’s go get some food,” I said, taking the lead. Nathan said something to his driver, and then followed me toward the part of town where the lights were bright and the night was alive.
I treated Nathan to a late-night meal, and for once, he didn’t try to argue about the bill.
As we stepped out of the restaurant, he flashed me a grin and joked, “Have you noticed? When married couples eat out, it’s usually the wife who ends up paying.”
I rolled my eyes at him, half teasing, half exasperated. “As long as you’re happy.”
Nathan’s handsome face flushed a little, and he scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. “Alright, next time, dinner is on me. I’ll take you somewhere really nice.”
I nodded. “Okay, so where are you planning to stay tonight?”
Nathan hesitated. “I haven’t decided yet. I bought a place here, but it’s pretty far from here and still under renovation.”
“Oh,” I replied. “Well, you’d better hurry and find a hotel to check in.”
Nathan glanced up at my building and asked, “Mr. Holcomb isn’t upstairs, is he?”
I laughed. “Are you serious? Why would he be at my place?”
Nathan’s eyes sparkled, and he looked up at me with that puppy-dog earnestness. “Would it be okay if I stayed at your place tonight? I can just crash on the floor.”
“You…” I could read his mind. He blushed hard, eyes darting away in embarrassment. “If it’s too much trouble, it’s cool—I can just grab a hotel,” he added.
“It’s no trouble at all,” I replied, my mind flashing back to that spicy dream from last night. Before I knew it, I’d already agreed to let him stay.