Page 42 of One Sweet Day I Found You

“Fun, not fun—still a bicycle. But it’s no big deal. Really.”

Courtney lifted her wineglass again. “Yes, it is. Your turn—cheers. To search-and-rescue teams and first responders.”

Nick clinked his beer glass with hers again graciously. His cheeks turned pink. Their eyes locked and Nick reached out to rest his hand on Courtney’s.

She flipped her hand over and gave his a gentle squeeze.

Nick’s smile was infectious. Courtney leaned. It wasn’t just the wine talking. This guy was really something. She locked her eyes on him.

This was the first time anyone had really grabbed her attention in a long time. Like, eight months’ time.

Since Austin.

Stop it, Courtney.How could Austin be on her mind right now? Nick couldn’tbemore different from him. Sure, Austin had his charm and his ambition. She admired him for that. But the moral ground under Austin had been shaky. She could never trust him again.

As if she’d ever get the chance.

And Nick. Nick was just so, well—he just seemed to function on a whole different level. A higher level.

Courtney gazed into Nick’s eyes. Could he be trusted? She wondered.

She felt guilty for a second for even comparing him to Austin. So not cool.

She snapped out of her thoughts. “You’re really something, Nick.”

Nick seemed to squirm in his seat. He took another swig of the beer and laughed. “Nah.”

Maybe she ought to tone it down.

The sky had grown darker. Courtney and Nick looked up as the waitress came to the table and dropped off a flickering candle and left.

Nick finally lost his pinkish glow and sat back again. He flashed a grin. “Wow, someone looks good by candlelight.”

Courtney raised a brow. She flipped back her hair and rested her chin on her other wrist, gazing back.

So.

Did.

He.

* * *

Nick puthis Jeep in park and opened the car door for Courtney. Stars shone brightly in the night sky. He took her hand and walked her to the front door.

Under the dim porch light, Courtney turned and gazed up at him. “Thanks, Nick. I had a great time.”

He grabbed her other hand in his and pulled her closer. “So did I. Thanks for coming out tonight.”

Gosh, she was pretty.

“Wouldn’t have missed it.” Courtney dropped Nick’s hands and wrapped her arms around his middle, resting her head on his chest.

He pulled her in tight and a tingling sensation ran down his spine.

He wasn’t usuallyall inso quickly when it came to girls. Then again, he’d never met someone like Courtney.

He couldn’t get enough of her.

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