Page 48 of Broken Dreams

“Yeah, well, I just hope Darrin is okay.”

She smiled. “Me too.”

After leaving the restaurant, she continued toward her condo. But the delay with Darrin had given the dark storm clouds a head start. There was a streak of lightning, followed by a deep warning rumble of thunder. The usual four in the afternoon rain storm was upon her.

Her spirits sank. Don't rain, don't rain. She picked up her pace, jogging despite the suffocating heat. At least she still wore her hospital scrubs and tennis shoes.

The deluge of rain hit when she was still several blocks from her condo. She continued running, the water hitting so hard she could barely see, especially with her hair plastered to her face.

When she dashed up the stairs to her second floor condo, she saw the dark looming shape a moment too late. She plowed against a distinctly male form.

Not the blonde EMT? For a moment panic flared, and she was about to fight him off, until a familiar scent teased her senses and a pair of strong hands wrapped around her arms.

“Amber? Are you alright?”

“Nick?” She shoved her wet hair from her eyes. Could she have looked any less attractive? This was not how she’d anticipated seeing him again. “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you.” He pulled her close to give her a quick hug, despite her soaked scrubs. “Do you have your key? Let's get inside. You need to dry off so you won't get sick.”

Strangled laugh caught in her throat. “I've been caught in the rain so much I don't know what dry is. It’s always raining shortly after the end of my shift.” Still, she dug in her pocket for her key and then unlock the door. Stepping across the threshold, she waved a hand. “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.” She ducked into her bedroom and hastily stripped out of her wet clothes and toweled herself dry. Why had he come? Did he have news from home?

Bad news?

Throwing on a clean pair of shorts and a tank top, she shot back into the living area. “Is something wrong? My parents? Alec? Beth?”

Nick held up a hand. “Nothing is wrong. Your family is fine, Amber. They send their love.”

“Thank goodness.” She let out a deep breath. “For a moment I thought... well, never mind.” Feeling awkward she ran her fingers through her wet hair. “I'm really surprised to see you.”

Nick looked wonderful. Not as classically handsome as the beach blonde EMT, but her pulse skipped a beat when he held her gaze. The sizzling chemistry that always shimmered between them, had not lessened one bit.

“I needed to see you.” Nick’s smile was wistful. “I miss you.”

“Oh, Nick.” She threw herself into his arms. “I miss you, too.”

“Amber, I know how much you want to travel.” He spoke in a low voice as he held her close. “But I can't stop thinking about you. My life isn't the same without you.”

“I've discovered traveling isn't very much fun when you're all alone.” Her words were muffled against his chest.

There was a long pause, then he gently pulled away. “Hey, I didn't mean to get all maudlin. How's your new job? I have a lot to tell you. I've gotten approval for relocating the physical therapy gym to the second floor. Will you come and see it on your next visit back?”

She stared at him, the abrupt change in subject catching her off guard. But then she understood. He thought she was asking him to leave his job to travel with her. Which wasn’t as easy as it sounded. In truth, there were not as many temporary physician positions as there were nursing ones. She wet her dry lips. “Of course, I will, but first I need to explain something to you. Remember what you said about making sure I was leaving for the right reasons?”

He nodded, his gaze intense.

“You were right. I was running from my family. I love them dearly, but they were making me so crazy. Especially Alec, who sees drug dealers on every corner.” She dropped her gaze to the carpet then forced yourself to look up at him. “But you know what? I figured out while I've been here that I can be independent and remain close to home. I stood up to Roland, didn't I?”

“Are you saying what I think you're saying?” Nick asked.

She laughed. “I think so. I've committed to stay three months. I can’t back out of my contract. When my commitment is up, I can leave. I can return home. I love my family and I know they love me. I was stupid to use traveling as an excuse to run away.”

“It's not stupid.” His smile was crooked. “I know what it's like to want to see the world. I did that myself. And really enjoyed the fabulous places I've been. You deserve that chance. I can’t be the one who takes that from you.”

“I don’t think I need to travel non-stop.” She realized how stupid it was to have even thought she could do that. Seeing the world paled compared to spending time with Nick. “I need to tell you something else,” she said in a low voice.

“I love you,” Nick said.

Her eyes widened, and then she laughed. “I love you too.” She tipped her head to the side. “I have a feeling we can rack up a few frequent flyer miles during the next three months.”

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