Resisting Her Rival (10 page)

Chapter Eleven

Abby pulled a bowl of popcorn from the microwave. “Want a snack?” she offered in general. “I’m thinking of grilling some steaks later, but it takes that grill forever to heat up. I want to get a new one.”

“I need to talk to you,” Nick said.

“No, he doesn’t,” Noah said quickly.

“Noah,” Nick said with a look.

Abby was amazed when her grandfather sighed.

“All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. I think I’ll go see if Henry wants to go grab a beer.” With that, he snatched his fedora off the coat rack and went out the front door.

Abby carried the popcorn and a glass of ice water into the living room. Placing both on the coffee table, she sat on the sofa. “You look worried. Is something wrong with my grandfather?”

“No.” Nick reached for both of her hands and gave a gentle tug.

Surprised, Abby got to her feet. His expression troubled her. Something was wrong. She could tell. “What’s going on?”

“Let me hold you. Just for a second.”

Abby went to him, and he closed his arms around her, embracing her against the solid wall of his chest. She relaxed against him, pressing her head against his shoulder. She felt his lips place a brief kiss against her hair, and then he put space between them.

“Noah confessed to getting Oscar to play you and me against each other in a bid for the building. Your grandfather was hoping to manipulate the two of us into a relationship.”

Abby felt relieved. She’d expected some manipulation on her grandfather’s part. But at least he wasn’t trying to push her into a marriage the way he’d done to Amelia. “Is that all?”

“What do you mean, is that all?”

“I know my grandfather. I already suspected he was up to something, though I didn’t know what.” She put her hand on his chest. “You thought I’d be upset, that I’d say the bet between us was off.”

“I did.”

“And you told me anyway.” She wasn’t sure what to do with Nick’s honesty. She’d thought he would say or do anything to get what he wanted. He could have hidden the truth, and she never would have known.

“Relationships are better when they’re built on truth and trust.”

“You’re an honorable man, Nick.”

“And a lot more. That’s what I keep trying to tell you.”

“So you do.” Abby dropped her gaze to his lips, then looked away. “Everything is okay as far as I’m concerned. I’m still going to do everything I can to buy that building.”

“Go ahead. Did I mention that Oscar called me this morning? He’s thinking of taking Sue away for a weekend. Wanted to get my input.”

“He could be playing you because of my granddaddy.”

“As long as he sells
me
the building.” Stepping back, Nick jerked his thumb toward the door. “I’m going to run some errands before I pick you up later. Want to come along and entertain me with a song?”

She smiled in spite of herself. “Good-bye, Nick.” She pointed to the front door.

“What time are we leaving tomorrow morning?”

“Five o’clock,” Abby reminded.

“Then I’ll make sure I have you home tonight at a decent hour, and I’ll keep you out of the bar.”

“Funny.” She kept a smile on her face until he was gone. Damn Nick for chipping away at all her defenses. How on earth would her heart survive the inevitable break if she started to fall in love with Nick?

A few minutes past seven, Abby walked down the stairs when Nick knocked. She’d wasted more time than she was comfortable with trying on and discarding several outfits. She shouldn’t be this worked up over a simple date.

But they’d spent time together, working on the sets for the play, and Abby couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt so comfortable. Nick was easy to talk to. No wonder girls had thrown themselves at him. It was more than his good looks. He was kind, hardworking, passionate about causes he believed in. He had a great sense of humor, was thoughtful, could cook…

Abby took a deep breath.
If I don’t stop reciting all Nick’s good qualities, I won’t have to worry about my heart doing a free fall over the cliff of friendship into love. I’ll push it over the edge myself
.

When she thought she’d schooled her expression into one of polite friendliness, Abby swung open the door.

Nick wore a dark gray suit paired with a white dress shirt. In his hand, he presented her with—

Abby’s mouth dropped open. “A bouquet of tools?”

“Hammer, screwdrivers, level. Everything you need.”

“How romantic. Let me put these in a vase.”

Nick grinned at that and moved across the porch to the swing. He picked up a bouquet of blue roses. “I’m practical as well as romantic. I did pick up a box of chocolate, but I left them in the sun, and they look a little worse for wear now.”

“That’s okay. These are beautiful.” Abby took the roses and went to find a container.

“You look stunning, Abby.”

She glanced down at the red lace shirt she wore over a white shirt. “I just threw something on.”

“Sure you did.”

…

Abby couldn’t remember much about the movie. She was too aware of Nick sitting beside her. Her attention wandered to the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, to the way his arm moved on the armrest between the seats. By the time the movie was finished, she knew she should feign exhaustion and have Nick take her home.

“Want to go get an ice cream?”

“I’d like that. They have a great black cherry cheesecake flavor,” Abby said, and when Nick offered his arm, she put her hand in the crook.

“My favorite is the banana rum.”

They walked the few blocks to the shop, and Abby picked out a table in the outdoor area while Nick ordered. When he returned, he passed her the treat and sat across from her.

Suddenly nervous and not understanding why, Abby asked, “Besides the doughnut tradition, what’s your best childhood memory?”

“The day I got my driver’s license. Elliot gave me this old beater he’d worked on all summer. That thing was four different colors and the ugliest car I’ve ever seen, but I loved it.” He smiled at the memory. “What about you?”

“I was about fifteen, and we had a picnic in a field. Mom plucked a dandelion and called it a wish maker. She told me to blow on it and make a wish. She said the wishes would spread out into the world and that the wind carries the seeds to our one true love and helps him find his way to us.” Abby shrugged. “I remember I rolled my eyes in disbelief, but every time I see a dandelion, I think of her.”

She blinked back the memory when Nick slid his hand across the table and covered her hand with his.

“I’m sorry that you lost her.”

“Me, too.”

“She would have been proud of the woman you are, Abby.”

“Nick…” Abby wiped her sticky fingers on a napkin.
So many things I could say. But none of them would be safe,
none of them would be the right words to protect my heart
. “We have an early day tomorrow.”

When he took her home and walked her to the door, Abby wanted him to kiss her, but at the same time, she didn’t. She couldn’t be sure that she wouldn’t cling to him and ask him to stay.

She unlocked the door and then faced him. “I had a great time tonight.”

“I did, too.”

His expression mirrored her troubled thoughts.

“Are you okay, Nick?”

“Yeah. I’d better go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She watched him return to his truck. He hadn’t made a move to kiss her. Had acted like he couldn’t wait to get away from her. Abby bit her lip.

Is he as worried as I am that we’re going to start something we could both regret?

…

At five o’clock on the dot the next morning, Nick opened the door to Abby’s knock. Like he was, she was dressed comfortably for the trip in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Even dressed plainly, though, she still managed to look good. He hoped she’d been able to get more sleep than he had. After their date, he’d spent hours imagining a future with Abby, followed by imagining one without her. Both scenarios scared the hell out of him.

“Are you ready?”

“Able and willing.” He closed the door behind him and led the way to her car. “Want me to drive to and you drive back?”

She raised her eyebrows. “My car requires the right touch, or it doesn’t cooperate.”

“I’ll drive, then.” He waited for her to get in and then started the car. He listened for a minute. “When’s the last time you had this in for a tune-up?”

“A few months ago. Keith told me to keep the oil and change the car.” She made a face at that and shrugged.

Nick drove through the town past all the closed businesses. There was a weird tension between them he didn’t like.
I wonder if she senses it, too.
When he stopped at the last traffic stop before the interstate ramp, he pointed toward the passenger window. “Fran’s bookstore. We used to cut sixth period and go hang out to read and get a coffee when I was a senior.”

“I never cut school.” She opened the glove box, took out a map, and smoothed it over her lap. She clicked on the interior light, and it provided a dim circle of light over the map.

“I know. I always looked for you, and you were never at the bookstore when we were.”

She raised her head. “That’s because I had to set an example for my sisters.”

When the light changed, Nick pressed on the accelerator. The car waited a second and then responded. “I don’t know about taking this car, Abby.”

“It’s fine.” She traced her finger along the map. “We’ll hit I-40, and it’ll be about the fourth exit after that.”

“Mind if I turn on the radio? Unless, of course, you want to sing.”

Abby leaned forward and turned on the radio. “Remember, there are plenty of rest areas along the way where I could leave you and drive off.”

“Yeah? As slow as your car is, I could probably run alongside it and catch you.”

Abby laughed and switched off the light. “Don’t knock the ride. It gets me where I need to go. Usually.”

“Oh, no, no. There’s no usually, Abs.”

She frowned.

“What?”

“Nothing. It’s… My father was the only one who called me Abs.”

“I remember your parents,” Nick said as they transitioned from the ramp to the interstate. At this hour, though there was some traffic, it wasn’t heavy.

“You do?” Abby asked.

“I do. They were always kind to me.”

“That’s because you weren’t trying to date me. My father might not have been so nice had he known your reputation.” She bent to reach for a bag. “Doughnut?”

Nick stopped searching for the cruise control button and looked at her. “You brought doughnuts?”

“It is Monday.” She bent her head to peer into the bag and began reciting the flavors.

Nick swallowed hard. She’d remembered his Monday doughnut tradition. “How’d you get doughnuts at this hour?”

“They start making the fresh ones at about four o’clock. I just tapped on the door, and they let me in.”

“Thank you,” Nick said because he couldn’t think of anything else. Her gesture had blown him away. The fact that she remembered something that meant so much to him… Did that mean she cared more deeply than she let on?

“You’re welcome. I have a thermos full of coffee, too, but I forgot cream and sugar.”

“Marines drink real coffee. I don’t need cream or sugar.”

“Well, I’m not a Marine, and I like my coffee sweeter, but I’ll make do.” She carefully poured them both some in small Styrofoam cups and passed one to him. “If we make good time, we can stop at one of the restaurants there. Otherwise, we’ll have to eat on the drive back.”

“Why such a rush?”

“Amelia and Chad are handling the diner today.” She blew on the coffee and took a sip. “Trouble usually follows Amelia.”

Nick laughed. “I remember when I heard the news she’d kidnapped Chad from his own wedding. At first I thought it was a lie. But at least it’s all worked out. I’ve been Chad’s friend a long time, and this is the happiest I’ve ever seen him.”

“Same with Amelia. They still radiate that he-slash-she’s-so-wonderful glow.”

“Obnoxious, isn’t it?”

“Eh, sometimes. But I knew Ame was crazy about him from the time she was young. He was her best friend. When my parents died, he rode his bicycle to our house and just sat beside Amelia the whole night through without saying a word. He did that night after night.”

“Had you and I been friends back then, I would have done the same thing for you.”

“I don’t doubt that. It was hard being so strong for everyone else when my own world had caved in.” A glow of headlights lit up the interior of the car before the driver behind them switched lanes and passed. When the car was dark again, Abby said, “I used to cry myself to sleep. I was so emotionally and physically exhausted.”

Nick remembered Abby at that age, remembered seeing the circles under her eyes, the sad air she’d had about her. “Have you told your family what you went through?”

“It’s in the past.”

“We’re sort of friends, right, Abby?”

She sent him a cautious look. “Yes, I guess so.”

“I want to make an observation that you might not appreciate.”

Though her lips tightened, she said, “Go ahead.”

“It’s okay to feel the sting of hurt. It’s okay to grieve, to cry, to feel disappointment and let it show. You don’t have to keep it all tucked inside because you need to be strong for anyone else.”

“You think I do that?”

“When’s the last time you let yourself grieve when something hurt you?”

“Nick, what does this have to do with anything?”

“Can you answer me?” he asked, deliberately making his voice as gentle as possible. “My baby sister, Laney, died from SIDS when I was a kid, and for the longest time, I wouldn’t even let myself think about it, so trust me when I say I understand grief.”

“I’m sorry that happened to your family, Nick, and I understand what you’re saying, but I’m fine. There’s a sign for the rest area. That coffee’s already hitting me, so I need to stop.”

“It’s deserted at this hour. Why don’t I take the exit, and we’ll stop at a gas station instead? That way we can get some cream and sugar for your coffee?”

“That’s fine.”