Page 60 of Tamed to Be Messy

“I’m not saying they do.” He takes a deep breath. “But out of respect for Graham, I don’t want to start something behind his back.”

Am I disappointed? Most definitely.

Is the mood ruined? Completely. Mentioning my brothers has a way of doing that.

But am I mad? No, I’m kind of impressed, actually. Nick had an open invitation but his conscience declined, which confirms my suspicion that he’s not the player Graham believes him to be. At least, not anymore.

I sigh. “I get it.”

One side of his mouth ticks up, making me crave a do-over. “Still want to go to the party with me?”

Does he think I’m going to back out just because he didn’t kiss me? “Yes, of course. But you really need to let me finish cutting your hair. It’s a little janky looking.”

“Hannah.” He growls out my name.

Way to make a girl’s pulse go into overdrive. “I’m kidding. It looks great. Some of my best work if you ask me. Look for yourself.”

He heads to the bathroom while I pet Bandit.

I kiss the top of his furry head in that sweet spot between his eyes. “I’m glad there’s one male in the place who likes my kisses.”

Bandit essentially gives my face a bath.

“Who’s a good boy?” I coo at him.

Turns out Nick is, too.

Again, sigh…

CHAPTER 22

Nick

Streaks of pink and pale yellow color the sky at sunrise, announcing the new day’s arrival. Sandpipers run along the water, dipping in for bits of food. A fishing boat bobs in the distance. I love this time of day because it’s peaceful and quiet. Just a few early walkers and shell collectors roam the sands. Otherwise, the beach is empty.

The sound of the waves lapping the shore settles my soul. I lift my face and close my eyes while inhaling the salt air. No other place has ever filled me with as much peace as this one. Mango Key Beach is my oasis.

I woke up before dawn and couldn’t go back to sleep, so I headed out for a jog. Out of concern, I checked a couple of turtle nests closer to the shore to make sure they’re still cordoned off and for any signs of disturbance or overwash from high tide. Two of the nests are showing depressions, which means the hatchlings will emerge soon. More reason to get those cameras in place to monitor them.

Those thoughts lead me right back to my dilemma. How am I going to convince my parents that this is an important need and to release my trust fund? We’ve estimated the number of nests has dropped to almost half over the last few years, and theeffects on the coral reefs are becoming apparent. The best way to understand the situation is with data, and the cameras would help, even if we’re close to the end of hatching season.

Plus, I’m wondering if asking Hannah to come to my parents’ anniversary party as my date was a good idea. I can’t stop thinking that may have been what opened the door to our ‘almost’ kiss. And color me totally shocked that she was the one to initiate it.

Even now, as I close my eyes, I imagine her face that near…the floral, musky scent of her filling my nose…the way her eyes looked golden green in the kitchen lighting…

I shake off the memory by jogging back toward the main beach. Not kissing her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But if I’m going to have that privilege, I want it to be under the right circumstances—not while I’m terrified of her making me look like a poodle.

And most definitely not at the risk of her two brothers tying me up with a badminton net and taking turns hitting me with a racquet. Not that they would actually do that, but it’s what I’ve imagined in my head since that day I had breakfast with Hannah’s family. The expression on Graham’s face that morning when he saw Hannah pretending to flirt with me will live on in infamy.

The problem is that I don’t know how to approach Graham with the truth. He’s convinced I’m still that player who has no interest in settling down. But I’ve changed over the last year or so, and especially this month, in part thanks to Hannah. If anything is going to happen between us, I want it to be serious…meaningful. Something that will lead to more. And for the first time in my life, I can picture that.

With her.

That realization slows my jog to a walk. These feelings are so far out of my realm of experience that I’m not sure what todo with them. When I think about the future, about returning to my normal day-to-day on the beach, doing the job I love, yet not seeing Hannah regularly anymore, I feel…kind of lost.

But what if what I’m feeling has more to do with gratitude for Hannah? Graham was right when he said she was my best shot to getting my shoulder back to full range. Her experience with sports therapy has made all the difference. I’m convinced of it.

I don’t want what I’m feeling for Hannah to be clouded by that, either. Deep down, I don’t think it is. What I’m feeling for her seems to grow every time I see her. I want a chance to show Hannah who I truly am and how much I care about her. She deserves to be cherished and appreciated just for who she is because she’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. Or re-met…

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