Page 62 of Romancing the Grump
I slide my laptop back into my bag, then reach down to tie my boots. “I’m okay,” I say, though evenIcan hear how unconvincing I sound.
But honestly—this feeling, the intensity of my attraction, is different from anything I’ve ever experienced before. I didn’t feel it with my college boyfriend even though we dated for over a year. I didn’t feel it with Seth, the last semi-serious boyfriend I had just after I graduated from law school. I’ve never felt it with anyone.
“So, I’ve been thinking about what you asked me,” Alec says, his eyes still on Nathan. “About why he’s so cynical.”
“Yeah? Got any new ideas?”
“I’m just wondering if it has something to do with his dad.” Alec pushes a hand through his hair. “He was a great hockey player, a legend, really. But Nathan doesn’t talk about him. Doesn’t seemproudof him. It just makes me wonder if his dad wasn’t that great of a guyoffthe ice.”
“He’s never talked about him? Told you anything?” I’ll be surprised ifAlec says yes.
“Nah. But I’ve heard rumors that his death was alcohol-related. Not like an accident or anything. Just that he drank too much. There’s no way that didn’t impact Nathan.”
“How old was he when his father was injured?”
“Based on the year the Bruins won the cup, probably…five or six?”
I nod, a surge of compassion filling my chest. Nathan probably has very few memories of a father whowasn’tdrinking all the time. “Thanks, Alec. I appreciate you telling me.”
“I’m here for you, all right?” He tilts his head toward Nathan. “And I love the big idiot, so I’d kinda like to see this happen for you.”
I huff out a little laugh. “He is an idiot, isn’t he?”
Alec offers me a hand, tugging me to my feet as I swing my laptop bag onto my back. “I mean, Summer. Look at you,” he says. “Of course he’s an idiot.”
“Who’s an idiot?” Nathan says, moving up beside us.
Alec winks at me, then pats Nathan on the shoulder. “Nobody you need to worry about.”
“Shall we go?” I say, a little too cheerfully. “You guys only have a few minutes before you start boarding.”
A few more minutes before Alec and Nathan will be on their way to Cleveland and I’ll be on my way to Harvest Hollow. Maybe then, I’ll finally be able to take a full breath.
The three of us walk together for a few hundred yards before the terminal splits, their gate in one direction and mine in the other. Off to the left, there’s a group of women watching us. One of them is wearing an Appies sweatshirt, and it’s clear by the look on her face that she knows exactly who the guys are. She keeps watching me, eyes bouncing between me and Nathan, and then I realize she knows whoI amtoo.
I’ve been recognized for the second time today. But this time, Nathan and I are in a public place, and we’re about to have a publicgoodbye.
I step closer to Nathan and slip my hand into his.
His eyes widen the slightest bit, so I push up on my toes, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw, just beside his ear. “Fans at three o’clock,” I whisper. “We have to get better at this faking thing.”
He nods his understanding, then his arm comes around me, holding me against him even as I sink back onto my heels.
“I’m going to miss you,” I say, meaning every word. He holds my gaze, and I get the sense that he knows I’m not faking about that part.
He lifts a hand to my cheek, cupping my face as he tilts it upward, then presses a lingering kiss to my lips. “Please be safe,” he says.
The urging in his tone makes my heart squeeze, and I lean back in, stealing another kiss before he pulls away.
“I will. You too.”
He pulls me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me for a hug that’s over much too soon, then he lets me go.
Suddenly, weirdly, an inexplicable wave of panic washes over me.
Five minutes ago, I was looking forward to parting ways, thinking it might make it easier to breathe. But this feels like the opposite. This feels like I won’t be able to breathewithouthim.
“Especially on the ice,” I call out, and Nathan looks up one more time. “Don’t…get hurt.”
