Page 47 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Courtney no longer minded Kira’s affinity for half-insulting nicknames. She realized they were doled out with affection, most of the time. She grinned. “Yeah, actually, I do.”

“Cool. Beecham hasn’t asked me about you every five minutes lately so I figured you must be doing something right.”

Courtney laughed. “That’s good to hear.”

Kira took another sip from her glass. “So, what’s going on with you and Nick? Is it getting hot and heavy yet?”

Courtney almost choked on her water. “Kira!” She laughed and tapped a fist to her chest to catch her breath.

Courtney and Nick had spent some time together since their date. But the tourist season was getting underway and Nick seemed to be busy almost every day, either at the shop or taking out tour groups. Twice, he’d been called in for a rescue.

“You kiss him yet?”

Leave it to Kira to get to the point.

“Not sure where this line of questioning’s going, but yeah, li’l bit. We’re not rushing things.”

“Little bit—” Kira asked. “What does that mean—a peck on the cheek?”

Honestly, Courtney was wondering what was taking him so long, herself. She and Nick seemed to have amazing chemistry, but he had been moving things along at a snail’s pace. Which was fine, but it made her wonder. She shrugged.

There had been the morning walk on the beach a week ago. It was very romantic, but it hadn’t ended in a kiss.

“Okay, fine, Kira. Yes, a few times, on the cheek,” Courtney admitted.

Another evening, Courtney had stopped in at his shop while she was out running, but the store had been busy and he hadn’t been able to chat for long. Still, he’d given her a long, warm hug and a parting look that made the butterflies tap a pony keg in her stomach.

Last night, they’d met at the marina and grabbed a quick bite after Nick got off work. His shop stayed open an hour later now, so they’d strolled the docks as the sky turned a hazy pink and yellow.

Nick’s arm around her, they’d watched a couple of sailboats anchor further out while the fishing boats, tied up at the docks, bobbed about in the calm, evening waters. It had also been very romantic.

But there had been people around— families, other couples, a group of teenaged girls—so the timing hadn’t exactly been right for a first kiss. Courtney was actually glad he hadn’t made his move just then. She wanted everything to be right when he did. Not rushed or awkward.

Kira didn’t need to hear any of that.

A waiter arrived and placed sandwiches in front of each of them.

“Wow, so the Nickster’s takin’ it slow?”

Courtney chuckled. “Yes. He really is, but I’m okay with it. It’s a lot better than the opposite approach.”

Kira unfolded a napkin on her lap. “You mean like a hit-n-run? A grab-n-go, a love-em-n-leave-em?”

Courtney laughed again. “Oh, my gosh, you’re so obnoxious.”

“I know, right?” Kira didn’t bat an eye.

“But no, that’s not what I meant.” Courtney looked amused.

“I know. Just kidding. So you like him, though?” She took a bite of her sandwich and set it down. “Oh, my gosh, this corned beef is so good.”

Courtney picked at the coleslaw on her plate. “What’s not to like? He’s a great guy. You were right about him.”

Kira made a cutesy face and her dimples showed. “You do realize your whole face lights up when you talk about him?”

“Shut up.” Courtney said with affection.

Kira grinned big again.

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