Page 24 of Keep My Heart
‘What’s it like living in New York?’
‘It’s good. There’s a lot to do. When I first moved there, it took me awhile to get used to a city that big after growing up in a small town.’
‘I know what you mean. It took me a long time to get used to LA.’
‘You ever miss it? Small-town living?’
‘Sometimes I do. I miss being here in the fall, seeing the leaves, going to the orchard.’
He smiles. ‘You miss the orchard?’
‘I love that place. I grew up going there. Everyone did. I still like going. I told Diane I might even come back here for the fall festival.’ I take another sip of wine. ‘You think you’ll be back for it?’
‘Probably not. It’s hard to get back here with my job. I was just in the office this morning so I’ve really only been gone a few hours and already have hundreds of messages waiting to be answered.’
‘But you must love it, right? I mean, to work that much you kind of have to.’
‘I like the job, but I don’t like the long hours. Makes it hard to have a life.’
I tilt my head, eyeing him. ‘So you never got married?’
‘No. It’s not that I’m against the idea. I just haven’t met the right person. It’s hard to meet people in a city that size, and I work a lot, so it’s hard to find time to date.’
‘I’m not looking forward to that.’ I sip my wine. ‘The whole dating thing. I’m not sure I even know how anymore.’
‘It’s not that hard. Just show up and be yourself. If the guydoesn’t like you, that’s his problem, not yours.’ Nick takes a swig of his beer. ‘You could practice on me if you want.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We could go out. You could pretend you’re on a date. Brush up on your skills.’
I can’t tell if he’s joking or serious. He’s giving me this really sexy half smile and gazing at me with his deep blue eyes.
‘Thanks, but it doesn’t sound like you’ll have time for that,’ I say, looking down at my now empty wine glass.
‘Want another?’ he asks, pointing to my glass.
‘Sure.’ I hand him the glass as he gets up. I watch as he walks back to the bar cart. He even looks good from the back.
‘White again?’ he asks, holding the bottle.
‘Yes, please.’
He pours the wine and brings me back the glass. I was going to stop at one, but I need another after that comment he made about us dating. He had to have been joking.
‘We could do it on Sunday,’ he says, sitting down. ‘Your practice date.’ He smiles. ‘I can’t say I’ll be able to give you many tips given that I haven’t been on a date myself in almost a year.’
‘Really?’
‘I just haven’t had time.’ He finishes his beer and gets up to get another. ‘I’m sure I’m going to hear about that from my mom.’ He laughs as he returns with his beer.
‘She wants you to get married?’
‘She’s wanted that for ten years. If it were up to her, I’d be married with three kids by now.’
‘What about your brothers? Did any of them get married?’
‘No. Sawyer came close, but it didn’t work out. My mom thinks my brothers are waiting for me to go first.’ He shakes his head, smiling. ‘If that’s true, we’ll all end up single.’
