Page 116 of Until Now

“I was in town. Heard you were here. Wanted to see you.”

“In town?”

“I had an interview. Alex didn’t tell you?”

No, Alex did not tell me, which is honestly kind of shocking. Usually, he's chomping at the bit to tell me anything that has to do with his brother.

“But, what are you doinghere?”

“Michaela may have mentioned you were out for a run." His stubble scratches my face when he leans in. I can feel our hearts beat against our intertwined hands. "And, it’s not hard to guess where you’d go for a run in the city.”

“It’s not a small park, Fossette,” I whisper.

“No, but you’ve mentioned the Bethesda Fountain before. Something about a chair, or something?”

My laugh echoes through the empty arcade. “Chuck and Blair, Chair fromGossip Girl?”

“I could never forget Chuck and his redemption arc.”

“It’s the best.”

Nick smiles and spins me under his arm before he pulls me close.

“What are you doing here, Nick? Really.”

“I wanted to see you, Dee. I miss you.”

“We haven’t spoken in months. What makes you think you can just show up and—” I gasp when his lips crash against mine. Desperate and needy. He invades all my senses. My heart pounds in my chest, my knees weak. I can only focus on the feeling of his mouth against mine. With every breath I take, earthy scents of cedar and cardamom fill my lungs. It’s intoxicating and inviting.

When we part, he wastes no time, “Ti amo, Davina. And, I know we have so much to figure out, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I love you.”

“I love you, Nick.” His smile grows at my admission and he brushes his lips against mine again. “But, you’re in Boston. Your job, your life…”

“Will always be with you. My life is wherever you are. I’ll find a firm. I’ll go back to working on cars. I don’t care. I want you, Nina. I’m ready for this part of my life.”

My fingers play with the lapels of his blazer, I close my eyes and inhale deeply. When I reopen them, whiskey-colored orbs stare into mine. “You’re sure? Like one-hundred and ten percent?”

“More than. I want this. I want us.” Nick brushes a piece of hair from my face and kisses me briefly. “I’m sorry we’ve spent so much time apart. I know we needed it, but none of it matters if it’s not with you.” He captures my lips in a possessive kiss. It’s demanding and hungry. A moan resonates deep in my throat when he threads his fingers in my ponytail and tugs, his lips leave a burning trail down the skin of my jaw.

“Nick, I have dinner with Lydia and—”

“Cancel.”

“Come with me and after dinner, I’m all yours.”

“All mine?” His teeth graze the skin just below my ear, the sensitive spot where my jaw and neck meet.

“Yours.”

“Promise?” He sticks out his left hand out between us, pinky finger hanging in the air. I roll my eyes, but wrap my finger around his.

“Promettere.”

“Good, because I have an idea.” The gleam in his eyes tells me I’m going to be late for dinner.

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Michaela

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