Page 37 of Broken Dreams

He rolled up to his feet, grimacing a bit. “Nope, I didn't take any pain meds today.” He held out his hand so she gave him one end of the blanket. Together they spread it on the ground. Then they both took a seat. Her shoulder brushed his as she curled her arms around her bent knees.

“Beautiful,” Nick murmured. She glanced over expecting him to be looking out at Lake Michigan. But his gaze was centered on her.

She almost leaned over to kiss him again. But then the flash of light caught her eye. The drone show was about to start.

How they managed to get the drones to make designs in the sky was a mystery. She caught her breath as purple and green drones lifted to the sky, making a large mushroom.

“Wow.” Nick gazed upward a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I like this. It’s quiet, but still stunning. Better for those veterans who can’t tolerate the sound of fireworks because it reminds them of gunfire”

“I agree.” She had taken care of many of those patients, herself. “This is a really nice alternative.”

The drones winked out. Then turned back on, bright red and white sparkles blooming in the sky. Followed quickly by blue drones shooting through the red and white ones. She couldn’t take her gaze off the show, as the drones made different pictures in the sky.

The grand finale was a large American flag shining in the sky for long moments. When the drones winked out, the audience whistled and applauded.

“I’ve never seen a drone show before,” Nick said, his voice low and husky near her ear. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

“Any time,” she murmured. Sending him a sideways glance, she found he was close. Close enough to kiss. But she had initiated their last kiss, so she didn't attempt to close the gap between them.

Yet she was keenly aware of him sitting close beside her. The other men in her life paled in comparison to Nick. Even Shane.

Especially Shane.

Looking back now, she realized that despite her wanting more, her feelings for Shane had been that of a close friendship. The sizzling awareness that hovered between her and Nick was something she'd never experienced before. It seemed so obvious now, that if Shane had lived, there never would have been anything serious between them. She still missed Shane, but it was more of an ache than a deep stabbing pain.

“How long can we hang out here?” Nick asked.

“As long as we want to, I guess.” She smiled. “I don’t mind sitting around for a while. The way people are streaming out of here, we’ll be alone, soon.”

“Not sure that's a good idea,” he muttered half under his breath.

“Because you don't want to?” She couldn't help wondering why he was holding back. She'd made her interest in him pretty clear.

Hadn't she?

His gaze pierced hers. “No because I want to kiss you again.”

Her heart thundered against her sternum. “I'm not stopping you.”

“You should.” When she didn’t move, or say anything, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He lowered his head and captured her lips with his. This time, there was no one around to interrupt their embrace.

When they finally needed to breathe, Nick rested his cheek on the top of her hair. “I hate to say this, but I think we should go.”

“I guess.” There was no enthusiasm in her tone. She wasn't ready for the evening to end.

“I expect your brother Alec to show up at any moment,” Nick said in a wry tone.

“Oh please. I have his car, so that’s not likely.” She huffed. “I’m glad for the chance to escape my family, at least for a while.”

“Like all day?” he asked.

She sighed, then reached for her purse to check her phone. “Oops. Guess I left my cell phone off.”

“Didn't you do that last night, as well?” Nick shook his head. “I think they're onto your tricks.”

“I wouldn't have to play tricks, if my nosy siblings would just leave me alone.” She turned her phone on, not surprised to see there were at least four messages. She sighed. Her family never gave up.

She was tempted to ignore them, unwilling to give up this private time with Nick. But then frowned, realizing most of the messages were from her sister, Andrea. Not her brothers. Or her parents. But Andrea. Her older sister was the one sibling who didn't normally bother her too much.

---