I rolled my eyes. “He doesn’t like Andrew at all, and the feeling is mutual. I don’t get it.”
“Men. I know you don’t understand them – who does? – but, let’s put it this way…you used to be Andrew’s and now your Nathan’s. I know Andrew still has a thing for you and Nathan clearly does. Neither of them likes the thought of you with the other.”
Her inquisition was hitting so many nerves, I had to concentrate on cutting, otherwise I was going to lose a finger. I squinted, trying to focus on every little movement I made. “But Andrew doesn’t know about us.”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s a guy and therefore all other guys are possibilities of taking you. Something Nathan seems to do very well.” She said with a wink.
I felt the blush creep over my skin. “Yes, he does.”
“I wonder what happened to him.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “All I know is he used to be a federal prosecutor and that something bad happened, scaring him.”
“Oh, I know. We can Google him!”
She bounced with excitement and ran to her purse. As soon as she had her phone in her hand, she began searching for him. My hand reached out and covered the screen, causing her gaze to snap up to mine, confusion swirling in her eyes.
I stared at her. “You can do that, but don’t tell me. I tried once, but when the search came up I closed it. I want to hear it from him when he’s ready.” Caroline studied me for a few moments, and all I could do was blink back at her. “What?”
“Oh my God, you’re in love with him.”
“Is that what this feeling is?” I asked, reflecting on all the emotions that swirled around inside me.
My hand rested on my chest, right over my heart. Love? Could it really be? I’d never been in love before, not even with Andrew…in fact, the only love I had was my platonic love for Caroline and my foster family. The idea both thrilled and frightened me.
She smiled at me, her hand moving to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yes, sweetie, that’s what that feeling is.”
After that, her attention was drawn back to the shiny piece of technology in her hand. I watched Caroline as she surfed for Nathan, looking for the information to quench her curiosity. I knew the moment she found what she was looking for. Her expression said it all.
As I feared, her smile of excitement fell from her face, sadness replacing it. Her hand moved to cover her mouth, her body sagging against the counter for support.
Her body language answered all my unspoken questions. Again, I felt the pang in my chest. Would I be enough to keep him with me?
I heard the sound of a key in the lock followed by the door closing; Nathan had returned.
“How’s dinner coming?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but lick my lips at the sight of him when he rounded the corner.
Nathan was sin in a suit and equally as sinful in jeans and a t-shirt. To be honest, anything or nothing on Nathan, it didn’t matter, he always looked delicious.
Caroline walked up to stand a few feet right in front of him. “I’m sorry. I Googled you. Don’t worry; I won’t say anything to anyone, even Lila. She wants to hear it from you when you’re ready,” Caroline blurted, speaking fast, and wide-eyed.
Nathan’s eyes rounded in what looked like fear and he swallowed hard. He leaned down toward her and lowered his tone. “I need to request that you please make sure you do. Only a few trusted people in the office know. I stress this because what you learned isn’t the whole story, nor wholly true, and I don’t want rumors spreading.”
“I promise. I won’t say a word. It’s not my place anyway,” she assured him.
Her reaction flared my curiosity again. In one search he’d gained her trust and devotion, a hard feat.