Page 23 of Keep My Heart
‘It’s nice to meet you,’ she says, smiling at me as she wipes her hands on a dish towel. ‘I’m glad you could join us for dinner. I’ve got beer and wine set up out back, or if you want something else, just let me know.’
‘I’ll have a glass of wine,’ I say, thinking it’ll help me relax even more. But just one glass. I don’t want wine making me do something stupid with Nick, which is possible since I tend to lose my inhibitions when I’m tipsy.
‘Follow me,’ Nick says, going to a door at the far end of the kitchen.
I head over there, looking back at Matt and Tessa.
‘I’ll be out there in a minute,’ Matt says, giving me a wave as Nick and I go out back.
‘Red or white?’ Nick asks, stopping in front of a metal bar cart stocked with beer and wine.
‘White,’ I tell him. ‘But I can get it.’
‘I’ve got it,’ he says, taking the bottle from the bucket of ice and pouring the wine into a glass. He changed out of his suit into light-colored shorts and a fitted black t-shirt. My gaze goes to his muscular arms and shoulders. I still can’t believe how much his body has changed since high school.
‘Lyndsay?’
I force my eyes off his muscles and notice him holding the wine glass in front of me.
‘Thanks,’ I say, taking it from him.
‘You’re welcome.’ He picks up a bottle of beer and takes a swig. ‘So what changed your mind?’
‘About what?’
‘Coming here. I thought you’d already made plans.’
‘Diane had something come up with the kids so we decided to do dinner another night.’
He smiles. ‘I’m glad it worked out. It’ll be good to catch up.’
‘Yeah,’ I say, feeling nervous again. He’s so damn handsome, and he smells amazing. I take a big gulp of my wine, hoping it’ll calm my nerves.
‘So how long are you here for?’
‘I’m flying back a week from Sunday. Chris is supposed to be out of the apartment by then. I assume you heard about the divorce.’ I chew on my lip, wishing I hadn’t brought it up. I’m supposed to be having fun tonight, not talking about my ex.
‘Yeah, Matt mentioned it. I’m sorry to hear it didn’t work out. That’s gotta be tough.’
‘It is, but I’m glad it’s over. Now I just need him to move out. I don’t want to go back to LA and find him still at the apartment.’
‘You guys lived together while going through the divorce?’
‘No,’ I say, shaking my head. ‘He just left his stuff there. He’s been living with friends the past six months. He’d come back sometimes and sleep on the couch, but he’d be gone in the morning.’
‘What’s he doing for work?’
‘Nothing,’ I huff. ‘At least not right now. He says he’s considering his options.’ I roll my eyes.
‘What did he do before that?’
‘Invested in businesses that turned out to be scams.’ I sigh. ‘I’d rather not talk about him.’
‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.’ Nick motions to the patio chairs. ‘Why don’t we go sit down?’ He places his hand on my lower back as he leads us over to the chairs. His touch sends a tingle down me, the kind I haven’t felt in years. Or maybe it’s the wine making me feel this way, although I’ve only had half a glass.
‘So tell me about you.’ I turn more so I’m facing him, crossing my legs as I take a sip of wine.
‘There’s not much to say. I work a lot.’
