A Special Summer(39)

Nick paused searching for the right words. “There are so many questions I have and only you have the answers to them.”

Summer understood exactly where he was coming from, really she did. She too wanted to clear the air, explain her side of things. But goodness gracious, being alone in the woods with Nick was a bit too much. That for sure was something she was in no way, no how, ready or even prepared to deal with.

“Can’t we talk here, at my house?” Heck at this point she was willing to go to his place. At least if he wigged out on her she could take a cab back to the safety of her home. And if worse came to worse she could call Starr and Ava to the rescue.

“No, I’d rather we didn’t Summer. I promise you I’ll keep my temper in check.” As long as you’re honest with me. Immediate guilt consumed him. See, that’s why she doesn’t trust you. She knows you better than you think.

“You promise?” Summer whispered not sure she should trust him. Nick wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms until every ounce of doubt was cast away.

“Yes, Beautiful, I promise to be on my best behavior.”

Stillness hung thickly in the air. He had called her beautiful and meant it. There had never been another woman who’d affected him the way Summer had. Her external beauty surpassed that of many; however, it was her inner beauty that swept him away. It was for this very reason he found it incomprehensible she would deceive him. Nick prayed when all was said and done she would have an explanation that would make sense to him.

Summer’s head became foggy as if she were in a haze. He’d called her beautiful. His tone was gentle, sincere, unlike the night when he resorted to sarcasm.

“Nick?”

“Yeah?”

“You still think I’m beautiful?”

“Always.”

“Even fat and all?”

“You’re not fat, Summer.”

“If I’m not fat, then what am I? I’ve gained nearly thirty pounds you know?”

“You’re still beautiful and carrying my baby.” Nick wouldn’t comment on the weight issue. That definitely was a no, no.

Summer was glad he could not see her blushing. “You think you’re so slick.”

Teasingly he asked, “Woman, what are you talking about?”

“You’re trying to butter me up so I won’t back out of going away with you. Come on, admit it.” Nick chuckled. This was the Summer he was crazy about. “You got me. I give up.”

“Yeah, I thought so.”

Nick and Summer continued their playful bantering for another twenty minutes. Eventually they got around to making plans to have him pick her up Friday morning around eleven.

“All right, Beautiful, I’m gonna let you get back to sleep,” he drawled out as he imagined her curled up nestled against him with her protruding belly.

Covering her mouth she stifled a yawn. “Okay, good night, Nick.”

“Sweet dreams, Beautiful.”

“You too, Nick.”

♥♥♥

Stepping out the shower, Nick grabbed a thick, fluffy white towel and wrapped it around his waist as he hurried to the phone on the nightstand. The first notion to pop in his head was that it was Summer calling to renege. Who else could it be calling so late?

To say Nick was a workaholic was an understatement. He’d remain in his home office working for another hour after he hung up with Summer. It was nearly two in the morning, and his eyes were burning with exhaustion. All he wanted to do was get a couple hours of sleep

before the new day started in less than four hours. Only Summer would think of calling so late, taking a chance he’d still be awake.

Picking up the phone Nick said in a weary, bone-tired voice, “Yeah, Summer?”

“You wish!”

“Kev, why the hell are you calling me so late?” Nick demanded, annoyed with his friend.

“Chill man, I was just wondering what happened with Summer? Is she going or what?”

Nick informed Kevin about his plans of taking Summer to the cabin for the weekend. Kevin had been a little uneasy with the idea. As far as he was concerned, Nick was still being a little hard on Summer. True, he was not spitting venom any longer when Kevin brought up her name, but hell, nobody knew Nick the way he did. One minute he’d be Mr. Nice Guy and the next, a complete jerk. Kevin wanted to, and would be supportive of his best friend, his brother. However, he thought Nick was pushing the issue of having this “serious” talk with Summer. For goodness sake, they were having a baby. It wasn’t like they didn’t have the rest of their lives to figure the mess out.

Nick had mad love for Kevin, but at times like now, he had no concept of time. Just because he was a night owl didn’t mean the rest of the world was. He should have known if Nick was up this late it meant he was most likely finishing some work and would be heading to bed. Sleep was important to Nick, even if it meant only a few hours. Nick figured he’d better answer his question so he could get to bed.