(Complete) Nick has suffered sorrow and loss. He has relied on his family to help him survive. Can Nick ever find happiness and a love?
Sara has spent the better part of her twenties caring for the sickest people of the world. Realizing that her dre...
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Nick woke when Bridget jumped on top of him. Smiling, he listened to her talk about Sara. Sara who had been in his house and he kissed. He forgot to tell her about putting Jack's pjs on backwards, so he had a naked pee soaked boy. Remembering her kisses, it was well worth it.
It was hard to concentrate on anything except Sara. His nervous system was firing off jolts whenever he thought of her. When he wasn't thinking about the kisses they shared, he was thinking about seeing her later. He felt no guilt about being with a woman other than Mel. He had loved her, but no matter how much he wished for it, she wasn't coming back. His father moved on after his first wife died, and maybe he was too.
He survived a trip to the supermarket with Bridget and Jack. Bridget talked about Sara nonstop. His daughter liked Sara as much as he did. He wished she could spend time with the kids, but Bridget talked too much. She would tell everyone about her babysitter.
The day dragged as he watched the clock waiting for bedtime. When he shut Bridget's door, excitement built inside him. He texted Sara, and he opened the door on the empty side of his garage for her to pull her car into. His brother may be away, but he didn't need any of his other neighbors to report to Julie he had late night company.
He felt ridiculous being so covert, but Sara was concerned about ethics. He didn't know anyone in the same office who dated. Most rumors were about inappropriate affairs, like a doctor being out with another doctor's wife or the married doctor caught with the resident in a compromising position.
He chopped fresh vegetables for a sauté. Then he started rice and opened a bottle of wine. A simple adult meal, but he never bothered to cook.
When he heard her car, he closed the door behind her. The minute she walked into the house, he pulled her into his arms. He held her taking in your scent.
He sighed.
"You're really here."
She laughed. "Last night wasn't a dream."
"No, come eat. It's late. You must be hungry."
His nerves reminded him he hadn't been on a date in a very long time.
She looked around the kitchen. "You really can cook."
"Yes, but I don't. There's no point. The kids prefer basic food. Not that this isn't basic."
"It looks delicious. I never cook either for just myself."
He nodded. "How was Lily today?"
"Worse. She slept while I visited with Christine."
"It's awful. The thought of losing a child."
Sara took his hand. "Don't. You've lost enough. Your children are healthy."
He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I'm glad you're here. Are you sure you can't talk to your uncle? I don't want to hide."
"Give it a little time. If whatever this is, continues then I'll have to look for a new job."
"I would hate for you to have to get a new job." He squeezed her hand.
She touched his ring "Do you wear this to keep employees like me from hitting on you?"
Nick laughed, because she had never hit on him. "I never needed to take it off. My focus has been on my children. I wasn't looking and you appeared."
"You're the one always appearing... late."
"I like to make an entrance." He winked.
"Like at my interview. I definitely noticed you, but I still don't know why you're interested in me."
"That's because you are, but you don't realize it. I think it makes you even more beautiful."
She blushed which made her look adorable. She had traveled the world, but he sensed she wasn't overly experienced. She blushed too easily.
After dinner, they sat on the sofa and Nick finally kissed her. It was as amazing as the night before. He hadn't imagined it. When their tongues met, he felt his reaction roll through his body.
Pulling away, she said, "I'm not very good at relationships. I've never had one."
He looked in her eyes. "Never? You've dated?"
"No, not really. I've spent my life being invisible."
"You're not invisible to me. I see you and have for a while."
To prove he meant what he said, he kissed her again, but fought the urge to let his hands wander. He kept them on her back to keep things slow. She was too special to rush.
After she left, Nick stood at his dresser and slowly wiggled the gold band off his finger. He put it away in the box with his cufflinks. Looking at his naked ring finger, the ring made an indentation over the years. When his siblings asked, he would tell them, it was time. He was almost certain if she were alive his finger would already be naked. He'd been wearing his ring like a hypocrite. He took one step towards his future, whatever it may be.
Was Sara completely inexperienced? That thought scared him. He wasn't planning his seduction, but could he continue to kiss her like they had and not want more? It had been a long time for him.
He had a few relationships before he met Mel. He was young and stupid for a while and eagerness overshadowed any inexperience on both parts. He and Mel had lived together for years before they married. His mum didn't approve, but his father had been more tolerant and more interested in his medical career. He disappointed his Mum when he told her why they were finally getting married. Telling his brother and sister was sheer hell. They loved to tease their little brother. Clare shared her opinion. Still it was his family who stood by him and supported him when he needed them.
What would his family say if they knew he cared for Sara? Would they be pleased? After they sufficiently teased him. Truthfully Tim already liked Sara more than Mel.
The next day, Julie called to check on him. He preempted Bridget's excitement about Sara and told her about going out.
Julie sounded surprised. "She stayed with them?"
"She offered. My entire family deserted me." He deflected back to her.
"Well, I'm glad you went out. You need to do that more."
That conversation went very well. Julie didn't suspect a thing.
