Page 100 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

“I should. Not sure if it’s getting better or worse. It’s unpredictable. I see a coffee shop across the street.”

Bolting to my feet, I yell, “No!”

“Why not?”

“Surely, there’s a closer one than across the street. Look around, Nick.”

I sit down, trying to catch my breath, not caring that I’m getting a few dirty looks for startling some table neighbors. He says, “You’re right. There’s one closer. I just don’t care for their coffee.”

“Me either.” I push mine away as if it personally offended me. “We can get something else.”

“We?” The bell above the door chimes, and I look up.

Standing again, I lower the phone to my side. A smug smirk is set on his stupid sexy face. I shrug. “Figured some conversations should be had face-to-face.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He cuts through two tables but stops on the other side of mine. “What are you doing here?”

I’m not upset that his natural instinct had him ready to embrace me, to kiss with the passion we always shared. Okay, the last part is just my fantasy, but I remember those kisses well. Reaching into my pocket, I pull the note out, and reply, “Cookie brought me here.”

I know my company is safe and under a new deal with my parents, so I’m not stressed about that. But we’re standing here like two fools who don’t know what to do with themselves when not attached at the hip. I say, “Before this goes any further, I have to know the truth.”

“I promise to tell you anything you want to know.”

“Look me in the eyes, and tell me that your family wasn’t trying to take advantage of my dad and that none of you knew anything regarding my company until that morning of the brunch.”

We sit down, remaining across from each other. Holding his hand up like a Boy Scout, he says, “I swear to God, we wanted a clean and honest transaction. I wouldn’t be working there—hell,I wouldn’t be speaking to my family if they had planned something underhanded. I’ve seen enough movies to know it’s always the lawyer who’s taken down first.” I manage a halfhearted smile. It’s all I have to give right now. “None of us knew STJ was yours until you told me, then we figured the rest out when we met that morning.”

He doesn’t hold back the plea that fills each word. By how he’s still staring at me, unblinkingly, I believe him.

“I signed the paperwork. Guilty as charged. I can’t take it back, but I would in a heartbeat. I was distracted in New York when I signed them, trying to get out the door to meet you for dinner and again when I was supposed to deliver them to the offices.”

Surprised how he looped that around, I ask, “Are you blaming me?”

“No. Not at all, but you are so bad for my career.” A humorless laugh escapes him.

“Am I bad for you?”

“No. You’re so right for me. Fuck my career. I’ll find another like worshipping at the altar of Natalie.” He dares to breach the invisible boundary between us and takes my hand. “We’re better together.”

My soul knew the truth the moment I laid eyes on him, but I’m so glad to hear him verbalize it. I scoot my chair around the table and invade his personal space. “What are your theories on coincidences these days?” I blurt, resting my chin on my hand. “I think everything happens for a reason.”

Much to his delight, he replies, “Sounds like you might believe in destiny.”

“Destiny with a little helping hand.” I close the gap and take a deep breath. This doesn’t feel like I’m giving in. I’m receiving love, his to be precise, and I have so much to give in return to him. “I missed you.”

“I missed you so much. I felt lost without you.”

My heart feels free, knowing I haven’t lost him. “I also love you.” But there’s one more thing I have to do before I can open my arms for him. “I need to apologize, Nick. For my reaction at the hospital?—”

“God, no, Natalie, you didn’t. You don’t?—”

“No, I do. And my mom wants to as well. There’s no excuse, really, but we were so blinded by pain and fear, and well, as my mom said to me yesterday, we were just looking for someone to blame.”

“I can understand that. And I am sorry that this . . . miscommunication happened, but in some ways, it was a good thing. The time without you just felt so, so wrong. Moving here, going into my new office . . . I should have felt excited about the challenge ahead of me, but I just felt empty.”I love this man.He’s just mirrored my thoughts exactly.Empty.

But enough words for now. Feeling that the weight of the world is off my shoulders, I get up and do what I’ve been wanting to—sit on his lap and stake claim to those lips. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I lean my forehead against his. I love the way his hand rubs my hip, just like old times. “Question. How long are we going to drag this out? Because I’m really ready to be kissed again.”

“By anyone or me?”

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