He’s a hell of a man. Understanding, kind, with such a strong grasp on his mental health, so much determination, so happy, so … perfectly lovable that she’ll fall in love with him all over again over lunch.
And if there’s even a shred of him that loves her back …
“Sophie,” Valerie snaps her fingers in my face. “Why are you checked out?”
“Valerie, can you go over notes with Diana, please? I want to make sure we’re not missing anything.” Nick says.
She shrugs and walks to my mom. Nick brushes his fingers over my cheek, then his hand slips into my hair as he pulls me against his chest. I sniffle, then start crying all over again. I feel like everyone’s trying to tear us apart.
I’m not crazy. I know that my guys have exes. They’re amazing and confident and successful. If I’d allowed all their exes to show up, they’d fill the whole hotel. But knowing they exist and seeing them wrapped around my guys are two completely separate things.
Nick rubs my back and doesn’t try to say anything. I get control over myself after a moment and pull back just for him to wipe my tears. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”
“What if she reminds him he doesn’t have to share with her? That he can just have her. He’s not in the military anymore, they could have a life and … and …”
“You’ve seen how much he’s grown just by knowing you, Sophie. He’s dedicated to counseling, hasn’t been having nightmares, and has opened up. It’s because of you sweetheart. He’s a changed man because of you, Sophie. He loves you.”
“Yeah, so I’m just an addition to therapy.”
“It’s because he loves you and he wants you to know it. He’s pushing himself to give you everything he can soyoudon’t leavehim. He loves you as much as I do. As much as Roman does. As much as Gunner does.”
I nod and lean into Nick’s hand. “I’m just being emotional and crazy, aren’t I?”
“I don’t know.” He smiles gently. “I’ve considered texting my ex to come give me hell so you’ll fight for me too.”
“I fight for you every fucking day.” I actually stamp my foot. “Hell, I’m glad I don’t know French because I’ve seen so many girls give you longing looks. I’ve seen them whisper to each other while pointing at you. Each of you is a catch and I guess I just have to accept that women will always want you. All of you”
“Sucks to be them.” He kisses my forehead, then looks around. “Come on.”
“Where are we-” He asks calmly.
But he drags me through the gardens, then shows me a beautiful flower arrangement, like a painting. I put a hand to my chest as I take it in, but before I have it committed to memory, Nick leads me to a bridge. When we look out over the water, I see they’ve placed stones carefully to mimic one of Monet’s paintings.
Nick stands behind me, his arms keeping me close as we look at the water together. He rubs my shoulders, then kisses my neck gently. “I think each of us should take pictures with you separately and together. I want to take a picture with you here, just like this.”
My throat is all scratchy with emotion and he’s not helping. “And, at some point, you and I are painting. We’ve talked about it so much but we’ve never found the time. We’re doing it. And then we’re going to Louvre so I can show you the things that made me want to paint to begin with.”
“Nick.” I whimper.
“Because I want you to know everything about me, Sophie. I want to share everything I love with you. Art, being in nature, even staring at clouds and finding shapes. We could find a hobby to start together – like photography or growing plants. I don’t care what it is, I’m willing to give everything a shot. You’re worth so much to me.”
I turn in his arms and stand on my toes. Nick fits his mouth to mine and kisses me hungrily. Stars burst behind my closed eyes and the embers set me on fire as our tongues tease and tangle. He knots his hand in my hair and I can feel his heart fluttering in his chest.
When he draws back, I bite my lip. “We broke a rule.”
“One of my favorite things about you.” He whispers. “Is that you never let a rule stand in the way when you’re passionate. You are full of life, Sophie. You make me feel capable of everything that I want to try.”
“Bungee jumping?” I ask.
“Let’s do it right – over the Grand Canyon.” He says with a smile.
“Cage diving with great whites?” I laugh.
“Why not, I swam with sharks before.” He shrugs. I gape and he laughs. “I didn’t tell you that story?”
“No!” I bump his hip. “You keep managing to keep secrets.”
“I fed bull sharks off the coast.” He says, leading me back through the garden. “I was supposed to go on a trip to watch great whites breaching, but decided to go and kayak in Alaska to see the orcas instead.”