Page 4 of Nick

I was trying to decide what to do when the cab pulled up. I knew I was supposed to leave, but Nick deserved a little happiness, and so did I.

“Are you coming?”

“No, I’m staying.” I took my bag from Matt who handed it to me, accepting my decision to stay. “I’ll see you later.”

I put my bag back in the back of Nick’s vehicle. When I walked back inside, Nick was surprised. “Okay, what are we taking?”

“I have to take my dolls because they were my mommy’s when she was my age,” Julia said, jumping up and down.

“Well, then, we definitely have to take them with us. Are you taking all your clothes with you, or have you grown out of some of them? By the way, I love your princess dresses.”

“Thank you. Daddy let me pick them out. I wanted a white one, but daddy said it looked too much like a wedding dress. And there was no way I was getting married.”

I chuckled. She was swaying from side to side, holding the sides of her dress. “Yes, I guess Daddy knows what he is talking about.”

“Did your daddy know how to pick out dresses?”

“Let me think… I can remember some things my dad let me buy actually. I only wanted cowboy clothes and cowboy boots when I was little. I didn’t grow up with my daddy but I had someone who loved me like a normal daddy does.”

“What do you mean?”

“The thing is… See… My sisters and I got lost, and someone else raised us. Samuel took good care of us. He let us pick out one thing we wanted on his paydays.”

“How come you got lost?”

I got the nod from Nick, and sat on the side of her bed. “When I was little like you, my mom took us away, and she died. Samuel knew nothing about my dad, so he kept us with him and raised us. He was like our daddy who loved us as much as we loved him.”

“And then you found your daddy?”

“Yes, we found our daddy. He lives in Montana on a big horse ranch.”

“That’s why you wanted cowboy clothes and boots,” Nick said.

I don’t know who was more surprised, him or me. “Yes, that’s why. I was a cowgirl. Now my sister, Jade, lives in Montana.”

“Are horses scary?”

“Some are. So don’t go around any horses without a grown-up. Now, what are we packing?”

I raised my head and looked at Nick. He was shaking his head. I didn’t know if he was shaking it at himself or me. I also knew that I would be in his bed tonight. And even if it was only for the night, I knew it would be worth it. I was sure he knew exactly why I stayed. I saw the way he watched me. Two hours later, we had three bags packed. The rest of the things would go to charity.

We drove back to Nick’s condo. “I’ll put your bag in the guest room.” By now, I was having second thoughts about being here.I just met him today. What the hell am I thinking? I have to get out of here. You don’t have sex with someone you just met.

“You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to leave tonight. I’ll call a cab.”

“What? No, stay.”

He walked up to me and took my hands. That was the first time we’d touched, and I felt little shocks running through my body. I almost stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Give us this one night,” he said, gazing into my eyes.

“I must be crazy,” I whispered.

“We both must be.” I nodded, and he let go of my hands. “Let’s order some dinner. There is this great place for Italian food.”

“Are you kidding me? We are in Italy. Of course, they have great Italian food. Let’s order some bread to go with it. I love bread.”

“Me too.”

“Did I hear you tell Loraine that you have kids?” he asked as I sat next to him.

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