Page 69 of Coming Home

Summer shook her head. “I talked to the pastor at my parents’ church for a while and…” An embarrassed laugh slipped out of her. “…remember Mrs. Anwar, the school guidance counselor?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I talked to her after Evan died.”

“She’s friends with my mom, and she’d have me over for tea once a week to talk.” Summer made air quotes. “It was like secret therapy, but it helped. Although, she kept recommending lots of career suggestions.”

They both chuckled.

Nat remembered Mrs. Anwar listening attentively after Evan had died, but most of their conversation drifted to what she’d major in at Boston College. That was probably because each time Mrs. Anwar asked how she was doing, Nat responded that she was fine, even though she wasn’t.

“I wish there were more resources here.” Nat blew out a heavy breath, tapping her glittered pink fingernails against the desk. “I know my parents tried to get a psychologist to join the practice about five years ago, but they had zero luck with attracting one. Even the ones who live in the county prefer driving to Buffalo or Rochester to work where they can make more money.”

“What about Sloan-Whitney? Doesn’t Elle oversee their telehealth network?” Summer grabbed her fork and speared a tater tot.

“Elle tried to convince my parents last year, but it means giving up our clinic’s independence. We’d no longer be the Owens Family Clinic but a Sloan-Whitney Clinic. It means giving up a lot of control with the practice. Mom and Dad aren’t willing to do that,” she explained.

“Elle’s their Deputy Chief Operating Officer; wouldn’t she be able to stop that? Make some sort of deal to keep your independence while getting the additional resources?”

Nat shook her head. “No. She’d have to keep herself completely away from any decisions related to the clinic. With her marrying my brother, it would be seen as a conflict of interest. Even if Elle wasn’t so ethical, my parents would never let her risk her professional reputation like that.”

“Adulting blows,” Summer groaned.

“Tell me about it.”

“Speaking of adulting…” She shimmied her upper body in a suggestive manner. “…now that the door is shut, can we dish about the adulting you’re doing with Noah? Have we packed all oursexypanties for this weekend?”

“Panties are unnecessary for what I have planned.” Batted lashes accompanied her low sultry voice.

“Get it, girl!” Summer grinned.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Love is a great beautifier.”~Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Their hands clasped, Nat and Noah walked across the lobby of the Hotel Skyler Syracuse. The heels of her gold sandals clacked against the marble floor as they made their way toward the elevators. The small boutique hotel was tucked in the University Hill neighborhood, a short walk from the University of Syracuse campus where the conference was being held.

A light floral scent greeted them when they entered their room. Slipping off her sandals, her toes sank into the sumptuous carpet. Sunshine streamed in through a large window that took up much of the room’s outfacing wall. The open curtains offered a breathtaking view of the bustling neighborhood.

“This is adorable!” she gushed, depositing her suitcase in front of the dark wood dresser.

Noah’s arms looped around her middle, and he pulled her into his chest. “Do you want to leave our things and go to dinner or unpack first?”

She twirled to face him. “Do they have room service?” she purred in a buttery voice.

Amusement lit his features. “As much as I’d love to stay locked in the room with you, I really would like to take you out. I’ve only gotten to go on one actual date with my girlfriend. I’d like to wine and dine you a bit. You know, the whole romance thing?”

I’m Noah Wilson’s girlfriend. Goddess, he is my boyfriend.Happiness fluttered in her chest.

As much as she’d enjoy putting theDo Not Disturbsign on the door for the next forty-eight hours, the idea of walking, fingers intertwined, in the world with him was far too intoxicating. True, the secret nature of their relationship was her idea. It was still the best way to proceed, but the enticement of a weekend of just being a couple living in the light was too precious to give up. To just be his girlfriend and let him be her boyfriend without having to think of the impact on their families would offer them time to settle into this relationship.

Despite the years of daydreaming about this, it was all still so new and a little scary. She’d spent eighteen years fantasizing about what it would be like to call him her boyfriend. In the last two weeks, the reality had already surpassed any of her girlish musings.

She raised to her tiptoes, nuzzling his nose with hers. “Let’s go to dinner but bring dessert back here.”

“Maybe you should speak to the Rural Business Conference, you’re a cutthroat negotiator.” The low timbre of his voice zinged directly to her core.

How fast can we eat?

They sat on the fairy-light-draped outdoor patio of a small café, her right hand clasped in his left one, both their arms resting on the bistro table. Conversation flowed effortlessly between them. Nat talked about her friend from college, Preeti, whom she’d be meeting for breakfast in the morning. She was happy to meet up with her friend who’d unwittingly served as part of Nat’s cover story for the trip. Noah showed her some of his favorite TikTok puppy videos, and she taunted him about getting a dog. He listened intently when she sputtered down a rabbit hole about the need for more mental health services in the county.

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