by Allie Able
I nod my head in acknowledgment and my wide eyes go to my daughter, to see how she responded to Nick kissing my cheek, but she’s preoccupied petting Ms. Kitty by the front desk.
“Bye, Abbi,” Mr. Sinclaire says with a wave.
She skips back over to us and pulls on Nick’s arm. “Bye, Mr. Sinclaire.”
Nick sends me one more wink, before turning and letting Abbi pull him out the door.
I look over at Mr. Sinclaire and see that he is staring at me with a soft smile on his face.
“I knew it would only be a matter of time.”
I narrow my eyes in confusion and tilt my head to the side. “What would be?”
“You and my son. I knew it would only be a matter of time. I’m surprised it took this long.”
My eyes go wide again and I open my mouth to respond, but he holds his hand up, indicating for me to listen.
“I know my son, Katie. I saw the way he looked at you and I saw the way he acted around Abbi. That boy has been half in love with you from the very beginning. I’m glad it’s finally working out,” he says in a gentle voice.
“Me too,” I whisper.
“Come on. Let’s go finish up here so we can get home.” He turns and walks back down the hall.
I follow behind him, rapidly blinking my eyes so none of my tears escape. I was so scared that Nick’s parents wouldn’t approve. I knew that they liked me, but I wasn’t sure they would like me having a relationship with their son. Now that I know they are okay with it, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.
* * *
I pull into the Sinclaire’s driveway and park behind Nick’s truck. We had to stay a little longer than expected and its now almost dinnertime. After I pick up Abbi up, I figure we will just swing by the Mexican restaurant and get a to-go order. I walk up the stairs to the house and knock on the door. A second later, Nick opens the door.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he says, leaning down to brush his lips against mine.
“Hey,” I mumble against his lips.
He chuckles and steps back allowing enough room for me to walk inside.
“Where’s my dad?” he asks.
“He said he needed to stop at the store for something,” I respond looking around the entry way and living room. I’ve been to the Sinclaire’s house once before for a cookout, but I spent most of my time in the back yard. I’m curious to see the house that Nick grew up in.
He suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me further into the living room.
“Where’s Abbi?” I ask.
He stops in far corner of the room and turns to look at me. “She’s in the kitchen baking cookies with my mom and Lexie.”
I smile, knowing that she’s enjoying doing that. He leans in close and cups my cheeks. “I missed you,” he whispers.
I shake my head, still smiling, “You just saw me earlier.”
“I know, but I didn’t get to kiss you.”
His lips touch mine, softly at first. He runs his tongue along my lower lip and I immediately open for him. His hands move to the back of my head, tangling in my hair and pulling me closer, as his mouth explores every inch of mine. I moan and grip onto his sides. This is so inappropriate. We are standing in his parents living room and my daughter is in the other room. Someone could walk in at any moment.
I pull back and enough to mumble his name, “Nick.”
We are both out of breath when I look up into his eyes and see that they are blazing with lust. “Fuck, you always taste so good.”
Good Lord, he’s trying to kill me. I rub my legs together, trying to ease the ache he created. “We can’t do this here. Abbi is in the other room.” I whisper.
He groans and pulls in for a hug. With my cheek pressed against his chest, I can smell his unique scent, a mix of soap, cologne, and a smell that is all Nick. I want to bury my face in his shirt and rub up against him like a cat. He kisses the top of my head and sighs, before letting me go. He takes my hand and leads me towards the kitchen.
“Have you eaten, yet?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No, I was going to get Abbi and pick up dinner on the way home.”
“Why don’t y’all just eat with us? Mom set out extra places at the table for you already.”
I stop and turn to look at him with wide eyes. “Really?”
“What are you freaking out about, kitten? You’ve eaten with my family before and you work with my dad. It’s not like you are a stranger meeting my parents for the first time,” he chuckles, while pulling me towards the kitchen.
“If you call me kitten in front of your family, so help me God, I will kick you in the shin,” I mumble.
He laughs, drawing the attention of everyone standing at the kitchen island.
My eyes find Abbi and I see that she has flour all over her hands, but she is smiling ear to ear. “Hey, Mom!”
“Hey, sweetie. Looks like your having fun.” I smile in response.
I look towards Nick’s mom and her eyes are focused our entwined hands and she has a soft smile on her face. I wiggle my fingers, trying to get Nick to let go, but he just tightens his hold on me.
“Hey, Lydia,” I say, giving her an awkward smile.
“Hey, Katie. Are you hungry?” she asks.
Before I have a chance to respond, Nick pulls me deeper into the kitchen and answers for me. “She is. Do you want to wait on Dad?”
Lydia nods her head and smiles wider. I finally get my hand free of Nick and walk over to stand next to Abbi. I kiss the top of her head and look down at the cookies she’s cutting out.
“I like the hearts.”
She looks up at me, her eyes twinkling in delight. “Ms. Lexie does too.”
I look around the kitchen. “Where is Lexie?”
Lydia looks up from where she is stirring something in a large pot on the stove. “She got a phone call and walked outside for minute.”
“Do you want a glass of wine?” Nick asks, holding up a bottle.
I nod my head and smile.
“Mom, do you want one?”
“Please,” she says over her shoulder.
“Do you need help, Lydia?” I ask, walking over to see what that delicious smell is.
“No, it’s ready. I’m just warming it back up.”
“It smells great, but y’all didn’t have to wait on me to eat.”
“Thank you, sweetheart, and I’m used to Harold having emergencies at the clinic. Been doing it for over 30 years,” she chuckles.
Nick hands me my glass of wine, his hand brushes against mine sending tingles up my arm. Will I ever get use to this man’s touch? He winks at me, before handing Lydia her glass.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“You’re welcome.” He picks up his beer and walks over to Abbi. “Are these almost ready to go into the oven?” he asks.
“Yep. Just a few more sprinkles. Will you do it Mr. Nick?”
I watch him as he smiles and takes the pink sprinkles from Abbi’s out stretched hand. His forehead creases in concentration, as he tries to get the sprinkles evenly on each heart shaped cookie. He interacts so easily with Abbi, like he’s been doing it forever. It’s such a simple thing, but, in that moment, I lose a little bit more of my heart to Nick Sinclaire. I don’t even notice Lydia watching us, until she bumps me with her elbow and winks.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
She grabs the cookie sheet and walks over to Abbi and Nick, before I get a chance to respond or ask her why she’s thanking me.
* * *
Dinner was delicious and we are all still sitting around the table, eating the cookies Nick and Abbi made. We are making small talk and Abbi is telling everyone about school. There is a lull in conversation and Nick looks across the table at me. It feels like he is trying to tell me something with his eyes, I’m just not sure what.
“So,” he stops and takes a breath, before continuing, “I’ve decided this will be my last tour. I already talked to my Chief and if everyt
hing goes according to plan, I will be home for good in six months.”
Everyone at the table, but me, stares at him with their mouths agape. Has he not told his family he was getting out of the Military? He told me a week ago. Lexie lets out a noise, a cross between a cry and a laugh, before launching herself at him. He hugs her and laughs.
“If I knew this is all would take for you to be nice to me, I would have done it years ago, Lex.”
She pulls back and smiles up at him, tears threatening to spill over her eyes. “No you wouldn’t have.”
He doesn’t answer her, he just smiles in response and looks towards his parents. Lydia has her hand over her mouth and is looking between me and Nick and Mr. Sinclaire is staring at his son, with a soft smile on his face. Lydia climbs to her feet and walks towards Nick, wrapping him in a hug and whispering something in his ear. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but Nick’s whole face softens and he looks over at me. I feel like I’m intruding on a family moment. I’m about to excuse myself and Abbi from the table, when I feel her pulling on my shirt.
“What does that mean, Mom?” she asks.
I look back towards Nick, but he’s already looking at Abbi. “Well, it just means that when I come home in a few months, I won’t have to leave anymore.”
“Really? So, we can have lots of dinner dates then, right?” she asks. Oh, the sweet innocence of a child.
He smiles softly and nods his head. “Yeah, sweetheart. We will have lots of dinner dates.”
Chapter Sixteen
Nick
I WALK KATIE AND ABBI out to her car. I want to ask her if I can come over tonight, I leave this Friday and I want to spend every second I can with her, but I don’t want to be too forward or push her too far. I come to a stop beside her and Abbi is already climbing in the backseat, but Katie just looks up at me.
“So, why did you tell me before you told your family?” she asks.
I look at Abbi through the window and see that she’s not paying us any attention, so I grab onto to Katie’s hips and pull her closer to me. Her hands rest on my chest, but she doesn’t push me away. I dip my head and kiss her cheek. “Because I love you, Katie. Your opinion meant more to me than anyone else,” I say quietly, my lips against her soft skin.
She sighs and her hands grip onto my shirt. “Do you want to meet me at my house?”
“Yes,” I answer immediately.
She chuckles and turns her head, kissing me on the corner of my mouth. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
I nod my head and give her waist one more squeeze, before letting her go and stepping back. I open her car door and watch as she slides into the driver seat. After shutting her door and waving to Abbi, I make my way back inside to tell my parents bye.
Mom is in the kitchen washing dishes and Lexie is sitting at the counter, playing with her phone.
“Need some help,Mom?” I ask, shooting Lexie a glare. What in the hell is going on with her? She’s been on that damn phone all night.
“No, I’m good. Thank you. Have a seat and tell me about how Katie got you to leave the Marines,” she smiles.
I chuckle and shake my head, but do as I’m told. “Katie didn’t get me to leave the Marines. I’m just ready to come home.” I reach over and grab the phone out of Lexie’s hand.
“What in the hell is so important on this thing?” I ask, looking down at the message screen, but before I can see anything, she snatches it out of my hand.
“That is so rude, Nick!” she says, shooting daggers at me with her eyes and I laugh.
“Nicholas, leave your sister alone,” Mom says, in a stern voice, making me laugh harder.
“Mom, we aren’t ten anymore.”
“Then stop acting like it,” she responds, pointing a spoon at me.
“Oh, burn.” Lexie giggles.
I shake my head and ruffle Lexie’s hair, making her swat at my hand. “You never answered me, what’s so important on that phone?” I ask, again. I’ve never seen Lexie text on her phone, as much as I did tonight. Her forehead has been pinched in worry and I feel like there’s something she isn’t telling me.
We have always been really close, but since I’ve spent a lot of my time oversees the past ten years, I realize I don’t know as much about Lexie’s life anymore.
“Oh, no. We aren’t talking about me tonight. Mom asked you a question and I want to know the answer. It’s a small town and everyone is abuzz with gossip about you and Katie. How does it look that your own sister doesn’t know the details.”
“Or your mother,” mom says over her shoulder.
I should have left when I had the chance. These two aren’t going to let me go until they have every last detail squeezed out of me.
I sigh and look between them. “Katie and I haven’t really talked about telling everyone, yet. We haven’t had that talk with Abbi and I really don’t want someone at school saying something to her, so can you two please keep what I say between us, for now?”
They both look a little hurt at my statement. Lexie lays her hand over mine and squeezes. “I may pick with you, but you know I love you right? I would never gossip about you and your relationship with Katie.”
I squeeze her hand back and look between them, again. “That didn’t come out right. I know neither of you would purposely talk about me and Katie’s personal life.”
Mom raises an eyebrow and gestures for me to get to talking. I let go of Lexie’s hand and run my hands over my head. “I’m in love with her, and I have been for some time. I love her little girl as if she were my own and I want a life with them, but I have not one clue what I’m doing.” Damn that felt good to admit to someone other than Grant.
They both stare at me with wide eyes before looking at each other.
“Well crap, Nick. You don’t waste any time do you?” Lexie asks, breaking the silence.
I scowl at her, but turn to look at my mom when she starts talking. “What I think Lexie is trying to say is that this is your first relationship and you and Katie haven’t been seeing each other long.”
“I know that, but like I said, I’ve felt this way about her for a long time. My feelings just got more intense, when we actually starting dating.”
“How does Katie feel about you?” Mom asks.
I blow out a breath and shake my head. “She feels the same way, but I think she’s scared. Her ex was a supreme asshole and I think she feels like she needs to be cautious.”
“That’s understandable, Nick. Once bitten, twice shy. Or however-the-hell that goes. The point is, it’s not only her she has to look out for,” Lexie says, and my mom nods in agreement.
“I know that, but I’m not trying to hurt them.”
“Then show her that, Son. Actions speak louder than words,” Mom says, patting my hand and going back to washing dishes.
I look over at Lexie and she nods her head. “What she said.”
I laugh and kiss her cheek. “I’m going to go. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Nick. Don’t forget Summer and Grant are throwing you a party on Thursday night,” Lexie says.
I groan and walk towards my mom. Damn it, I forgot about that. I kiss my mom on her cheek and walk towards the living room.
My dad is kicked back in his chair watching the news. “I’m gone, dad. I’ll see you later.”
He looks up at me with knowing smirk. “Leaving so soon?”
I chuckle and squeeze his shoulder.
His hand covers mine and he pats it twice. “I’m proud of you, Son.”
My dad has always been a great parent. He was always encouraging and he has always lead by example. I may have chosen a different path in life than he did, but I always hoped to grow into the type of man that would make him proud. So, to hear him say that feels pretty damn good.
I squeeze his shoulder one more time, before dropping my hand. “Thanks, dad.”
“Tell Katie I said hello,” he jokes.
I chuckle and shake my head. “Love you, d
ad.” I say over my shoulder, as I make my way towards the front door.
“Love you too, Son.”
On the way to Katie’s house, I stop by my condo and grab a change of clothes and take a quick shower.
An hour later, I find myself parked in her driveway hoping it’s not too late. I look down at my clock and see that it’s only 9:30 pm and her front porch light is on. I grab my bag from the passenger seat and make my way up the stairs to her front door. I knock lightly, not wanting to wake Abbi, if she’s already asleep.
Katie answers the door a second later, looking freshly showered.
“Hey,” she smiles and runs her fingers through her wet hair.
“Hey, kitten,” I respond, leaning down to kiss her lips.
She pulls back and opens the door wider, allowing me room to walk inside.
“Is Abbi already asleep?” I ask, as we walk through the living room.
“Yeah, she’s been out for about 30 minutes. Do you want something to drink?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine.” I pull her to me and her arms go around my waist. I rest my chin and top of her head and just hold her tightly.
I have never been in a real relationship. I dated a little in high school and college and I certainly haven’t been a monk in the years I was in the Marines, but I never felt the way I feel about Katie for anyone else. I would do anything for this woman and it’s absolutely killing me that I’m going to have to leave her in just a few short days.
Her hand moves up my chest and she pushes a little. She looks up at me questioningly.
“What’s wrong?”
I sigh and shake my head. “For the first time, I’ve found someone I hate leaving, I can’t get enough of you, Katie. I didn’t want to fall in love, not at all. It wasn’t in my plans, but you smiled at me that first time we met and holy shit, I blew it. I knew you were it for me and now that I finally have you in my arms, I’m not ready to let you go.”
She smiles a tender smile and she lifts her hand to run it along my jaw. “It’s just for a little while. Isn’t that what you told me?”
“Yeah,” I whisper.
She stands on her tiptoes and presses her mouth against mine. “I love you, Nick.”
