Page 25 of Succeeding Love

Delivery

Feighlynn

“I’m Vin, the action hero.”

I could barely stop myself from bursting into laughter from the serious tone he just said that in. He used the phrase I had been teasing him with as an official title. The fact that he used it with my serious ex-husband made the situation even funnier.

Nick was looking at him like he was crazy, making no movements to shake his hand.

“Vin saved Kevin from a killer cat and me from a heart attack yesterday,” I explained, passing Vin a grateful smile. Vin dropped his hand and returned my gratitude with a proud smirk. “That’s why he’s my action hero. We just got back from dinner and a movie. What are you doing here, though?” I waved my phone at him with the hand not gripped in Vin’s. “The kids didn’t text me.”

Nick’s expression remained hard, glaring like I did something wrong. I do not know what he could be upset with, though.

“I’m not here because of the kids,” Nick said gruffly. “I’m here to speak with you.”

“With me? You left the kids alone to speak with me?”

“They’re both at the hotel, perfectly fine,” he snapped.

I tilted my head in confusion. “Okay. So, why do you need to talk to me this late on a Friday night if it’s not about the kids?”

His eyes shifted to Vin, looking uncomfortable, before glaring back at me. “Can we talk in private?”

I grimaced. He was being needlessly difficult.

“Want me to wait for you inside?” Vin asked me. “I can let Kevin out while you two talk out here?”

A thankful smile lifted my lips. “That would be great. Thank you.”

“Actually, I think you can head on home and my wife and I can speak inside,” Nick said as Vin took my keys from my hand.

At the term “wife” my heart froze and an icy chill ran through me. What was Nick doing? My night with Vin had been so satisfying, and so amazing, but Nick was taking all of that away with whatever this display was. It was my first date since our divorce, and the excitement I had felt all night was turning into dread at how Vin would interpret this interaction.

Vin was looking at me, waiting for my say on what to do. He’s so nice and kind, and too good of a man to say if I’m making him uncomfortable. The right thing to do would be to thank him for the date, and send him home before Nick’s hostility can affect him any more than it already has. Vin is a total catch, and doesn’t need this sort of baggage in his dating life. Especially on a first date.

“I’m sorry, Vin,” I whispered softly. I tried to smile, but it just felt like I was pressing my lips together. I couldn’t force the corners of my lips to turn up. “I had a wonderful time withyou tonight, and don’t want to ruin it by making you more uncomfortable. It’s getting late and I’m sure you’re tired.”

Vin stared into my eyes, his green irises boring into me. I tried to keep the painful smile in place, feeling mortified and embarrassed, but trying not to let it show too much. Even if we didn’t go on another date after this painful encounter with my ex, I still wanted to be on friendly terms as neighbors. I hope he didn’t think too badly of me for this later.

“Okay, Lynn.”

A heavy breath escaped me when he used that little nickname, something between a laugh and a huff. It made me feel even worse about my ex showing up to ruin our date.

“I’ll see you later, I guess.”

My smile tightened, my brows pulling down at the corners as sadness weighed in on me. “Okay,” I said.

He squeezed my hand one more time before letting it go and heading back to his house. When I was sure he was out of earshot, I turned to Nick, anger like I had never felt before gripping me.

“What the hell was that?” I asked in an icy voice.

Nick’s eyes went wide for a minute, like my coldness surprised him. “Fay, I just….” He looked at the house, and then back at me. “Can we talk inside?”

“No. We can’t. What the hell are you doing here, Nick?”

“I came to talk to you! I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but this is important. I didn’t want to wait another second to-”

“Excuse me,” Vin’s deep voice cut in, his hand suddenly gripping my elbow and pulling me back. I looked up at him insurprise. I thought he had gone back home. “I forgot this,” he husked, bending over me and swiftly pressing his lips to mine. It took me by complete shock. His hands cradled my face. His hot fingertips seeped their warmth into my skin, and a second later, I was kissing him back.

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