Page 7 of One Whopper of a Love Story

His smile widened. “Yes?”

“She gave me the frog to remind me that eventually I’d find my prince. I’ve had it for three years.”

“Do you make a habit of kissing frogs?”

“I don’t make a habit of kissing anyone. And two times doesn’t make something a habit.”

His eyebrows lifted. “How many times does it take to become a habit?”

“I’m not sure yet.” I truly wanted to make a habit of kissing this wall of a man, the one who swept me off my feet effortlessly and set my heart dancing.

“All done.” Dr. Rios rolled away from Nico. “The nurse will put a bandage on that and then y’all can go.” He turned to me. “Do you have someone that can stay with you for the next twenty-four hours?”

“Um, well, normally I have a roommate, but she’s out of town until later tomorrow.” I hated not knowing many people. This meant I’d have to bother Tessa.

Nico stood up. “I’ll make sure she isn’t alone.”

“Good. And you need someone with you too in case you have a mild concussion.” Dr. Rios picked up a clipboard off the foot of my bed and scribbled on the papers. “Any questions for me?”

“Can I put my tail back on?”

“Of course. The nurse will be back in with paperwork for you to sign, and then you’ll be able to go.” He walked out, humming to himself.

Nico handed me the tail, then turned around. “Hurry because if the nurse sees me standing up, she might yell at me again.”

I wriggled back into the tail and zipped up the side. “I’m decent.”

“I’d say you are way better than decent. I’d give those kisses at least an eight.” His dark eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I’ll have to do better next time.” This kind of impulsive flirting was how I ended up making bad choices.

He clasped my hand again. “I know we’ve only just met, but if you’ll let me, I’d like to stay with you tonight. I don’t meanwithyou, but because the doctor said—”

“Nico, I know what you mean. And I’d feel horrible leaving you alone after you’ve done so much for me. Your place or mine?”

He nodded toward my tail. “I’m guessing you’ll probably want to change clothes.”

“Yes, but I can pick stuff up. Besides, I’m not sure you’ll fit on my couch.”

“I have that problem.” Nico dropped back into the chair as the nurse walked in. “Mine is L-shaped with recliners at both ends. Plenty big.”

The nurse put her hands on her hips, a clipboard sticking out on each side. “Y’all are quite a pair. And, silly me, I thought tonight would be quiet and uneventful.” She handed us each a clipboard. “Sign these, and then y’all can resume your kissing elsewhere.”

That lady was not helping me curb my impulsive ways.

Chapter 4

Nico

I watched my feet as I followed Layla to her apartment, careful not to step on the fin swishing back and forth behind her. The tail served as a helpful distraction from staring at the rest of her. The woman was wearing a fish tail and a bikini top.

When we arrived at the door, she dug around in her purse for her keys. While she searched her purse, I had visions of the keys being lost in my truck from when I’d dumped out the contents in the back seat. Or worse, lost along the side of the road.

She held them up and jingled the keys. “Found ’em.”

The keychain had a frog on it. She really had a thing for frogs.

We hadn’t been upright next to each other much since we’d met, and standing here as she unlocked the door, our height difference was obvious. She had to be at least a foot shorter than me. Probably more than that.

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