Page 17 of Forever with the CEO

“I’m good at setting priorities, and I’m makingyoua priority. I should have done more from the very beginning.”

My heart warmed—along with other places on my body. “You’re doing more than everyone else, frankly.”

“Still not enough. I want to be more involved.”

“You know the kids’ godparents are pretending they’re not even the godparents?” I asked, apropos of nothing.

He scoffed. “I always wondered why they chose Phil and Lola as godparents.”

“Oh, I know why. Because they were the only friends who had experience with kids at that point. That’s what Nora said. They were hoping that maybe the kids could play together. But I know for a fact that she would have loved for you to be their godfather. I believe her explanation was ‘Pity he’s never been serious about a woman. I don’t want to make his current date the godmother, only for her to then be replaced by others.’”

Nick blinked repeatedly. “Jesus. I have no defense because I don’t even remember who I was dating when the kids were christened.”

I burst out laughing. “Oh, Nick.”

“Is that bad? Don’t answer! I can see it on your face,” he said with a laugh. “It is bad.”

“No, it’s not. Just the way you are,” I said. “Nothing wrong with that.” I took a few more sips of wine.

After a while, I started to shiver, so I put my jacket on. “Do you want to sit back down? I can move over. Sorry, I didn’t think of asking earlier.”

“Nah, these things are tiny.”

Did that mean that he’d felt just as on edge as I had when he’d been sitting next to me? Now that I’d drunk my entire glass of wine, I wasn’t able to keep my thoughts in check any longer. If he sat next to me, I could find an excuse to climb onto his lap. After all, we’d both be much more comfortable.

Oh, man, I truly was a danger to myself and also to Nick.

“I think I should head home.”

“It’s not that late,” Nick said.

“I know, but I’ve been gone a few hours already. I’d feel more comfortable if I went back.”

“Of course. The last thing I want is for you to stress out. That would ruin the point of this evening.”

“Which has been a success!” I attempted to get up from the swing... and failed. I fell right back onto my ass. “Whoops! I drank the wine a bit too fast. And I haven’t had a drink in months.”

“Why not?” he asked, setting his empty beer bottle on the small table next to my glass.

“It felt weird drinking, knowing I have kids under my care.”

“I’ll help you up.” He held out his hand.

I put mine in his, feeling how strong and calloused his palm and fingers were as they slid against mine. Was it from weights or other training equipment at the gym? Had to be. I couldn’t imagine him doing other manual labor.

“And up you go.” He pulled me up, and I managed to trip over my own feet, slamming headfirst into Nick’s hard chest.

I straightened up quickly as Nick grinned. Next thing I knew, both of his hands were on me: one on my upper back, one at my side. I felt his touch so intensely that you’d think I wasn’t wearing any clothes.

What’s happening to me?I was usually composed.

“Fuck,” he exclaimed.

I stepped back, looking up at him and smiling sheepishly. “Truly sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“Don’t worry about me.” His look was feral, but I didn’t think it was because I’d made him mad. He then said, “I’ll take you to the car.”

“I’m not inebriated, really. I’m not even sure what happened.”

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