Page 115 of Never With You
“Okay, then.”
Nate walks to the front while I hang back and watch.
“If everyone can find their seats, we’ll get this party started.” Nate waits as the music fades, and people make their way to their tables. “It’s been an incredible week in Thailand. The Pureskin family is so much fun and very close-knit. This trip has become one of my favorites, and I’m not just saying that because I’m related to half of you. I truly mean it.” The crowd laughs. “I’d like to take a moment to thank someone very special.” My heart pounds in my chest as Nate turns his gaze toward me. “This event wouldn’t have been the same without the hard work of Carly Catterson. She did so much behind the scenes, planning and prepping for this trip, all on short notice. Everything she touches turns out amazing. I’m convinced there’s nothing this woman can’t do.” His lips curl into a smile that softens my heart. “So let’s take a moment to give Carly a round of applause for her work, because we all know I didn’t do anything to make this trip what it was.” All eyes turn to me as everyone claps.
I smile, feeling stupid having so much attention on me, but also, there’s a weird satisfaction that comes with it too.
“Okay, we’ve got an incredible dinner planned for you guys, followed by an amazing program.” A gust of wind blows through, prompting everyone to look up at the sky. “So let’s get to it before we all get drenched.”
Nate puts the microphone back as the waiters start delivering food.
“Nice speech,” I say when he finds me in the back. “But you didn’t have to say all that. You worked just as hard on this trip as I did.”
“Nah.” He grins. “I’m done taking credit for your work.”
I laugh, knowing what he’s referring to, but in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder what things will be like when we return to the office.
There’s nothing for us to fight about anymore.
Except maybe our feelings.
Just as thelast plate of food gets delivered, drops of rain begin.
It’s slow at first.
One drop.
A few seconds later, another.
“Oh, no.” I look up, holding my breath.
“It might be fine.” Nate’s optimism is commendable.
But then the skies open, and without warning, torrential rain pours down.
The guests squeal, jumping to their feet.
Rain covers everything.
The dinner plates, the decorations, the flowers.
Nothing is spared from getting soaked.
Guests scatter.
“Come on!” Nate grabs my hand, running with me to find some cover. There’s a small overhang from the roof of one of the tiki drink buildings that he heads toward. He pulls me under first, positioning my back against the wall. But instead of standing next to me, he steps in front, his chest pressed against mine, hands resting on my waist.
“Worst-case scenario,” he says with a languid smile.
“This one’s on Isaac.”
“He kind of deserves it. As soon as the rain slows a bit, we’ll go see what we can do about the event.” My mouth opens to protest, but his finger brushes against my lips, silencing me. “It will be okay. There’s nothing that you can do in this downpour besides wait.”
The air in my lungs escapes in one long sigh. The tension in my shoulders relaxes as I let go of my need to control this moment. It’s not at all like me, but Nate’s easygoing personality has a way of calming me when I let it. The world quiets around us as my anxieties drift away.
There’s something about an evening rainstorm that feels wildly romantic—the steady rain pounding on the metal roofs, the water trickling down, the humid air, the scent of wet tropical flowers, and the deep navy sky.
Nate’s fingers slide to my face, softly cupping my cheek. I place my hand on his chest, but I don’t push him away. My breath slows as his eyes trace over my features. There’s a tenderness in his gaze that unravels my resolve. Something in his eyes makes my heart yearn—something steady, unwavering.
