Page 10 of One Whopper of a Love Story

“Just right.” I hugged him. “Let me shower and change super quick.” After picking up my bag, I ran down the hall. I probably should’ve waited to hug him until after I’d changed and was in more than a baggy sweatshirt and pajama pants.

He’d set stuff out in the bathroom so that I had everything I needed. I’d fallen asleep hard last night.

After a quick shower, I stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed and smelling like a guy. That was better than being stinky.

The living room was empty, so I wandered through that room and kitchen, getting a sense of who this Nico guy really was.

There were dirty dishes in the sink, but the table was clean. Notes covered the freezer door, held there by an assortment of magnets. He didn’t seem like the sort of guy to collect magnets. The couch had no throw pillows. Three remotes were scattered on the coffee table beside a game controller.

I used the few minutes to wash off the dishes and load them into the dishwasher. When I heard a door open, I ran to the hall.

Nico was walking up the hall, pulling a t-shirt down over his head. That chest looked as good as it felt.

I sighed inadvertently, and he froze as he worked the shirt down the rest of the way.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize you were right there. There was sound coming from the kitchen, and I thought...”

“I’m the one who should apologize for sneaking up on you, but I’m not sorry about it.” I spun around to go make sure I had all my stuff. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Nico slipped his arms around me from behind. How could a guy built like a wall sneak up on someone? “Are you a steak and eggs breakfast or a doughnut and coffee sort of person?”

I leaned back into his embrace. “Steak and eggs with coffee. Always coffee.”

“The more I learn about you, the more I like you.” He picked up my bag. “Let’s go eat.”

My misadventure in a mermaid costume had turned into one of the best mornings ever. I smiled up at my hunk, then reminded myself to slow down. I didn’t know him well. What if all the nice things he’d said were just lines? It wouldn’t be the first time a guy had said things just to win my attention. But those guys all changed their tune after a short time.

How long would it take to figure out if Nico really liked my giggling or if he was just feeding me a line?

Chapter 6

Nico

When we arrived at the restaurant, I ran around and opened Layla’s door.

“Thanks.” She climbed out and crossed her arms, tucking her hands out of sight.

A waitress waved as we walked in. “Sit anywhere.”

Layla stepped behind me. “I’ll follow you.”

I chose a booth in the corner, then waited to sit until she’d slid onto the bench. “Are you still itching?”

She shook her head. “The hives have all disappeared. How’s your head?”

“Fine. It only hurts if I push on the bump.”

“Then don’t.” She giggled, then pinched her lips together.

The irritation with the people who’d convinced her that she needed to change had my insides roiling. It was now my mission to encourage her to be herself.

“Wise woman. I think I’ll follow that advice.”

If I let my emotions rule me now, I’d probably mess this up. The carefree woman from yesterday had been replaced with a more reserved version, someone who was filtering every thought and word. Shoot, it was the woman from yesterday who’d woken me up this morning, but somewhere between here and the house, her demeanor had changed.

She smiled as the waitress walked up to the table. “Good morning.”

“Morning. Here are menus. What can I get y’all to drink?”

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