She smiled, and gingerly set her cup down onto its saucer. “I can only hope that person is you, my dear.”
“Please don’t get your hopes up,” Abbey said. “Our lives are taking very different turns.”
“I knew he was going to New York,” Caroline said. “Before he’d even said anything, I knew eventually he would.” She set her hands back into her lap in a very restrained manner. It was obvious that she was using everything she had to keep herself controlled. She probably worried terribly for him. “I know you are the right person to show him how to live, how to really live.”
“How do you figure?” Abbey asked.
Caroline was watching her closely, an unreadable look on her face. “You only know the Nick who you’ve seen. But he’s not the Nick that his family knows. The Nick we know does not stop working. He’s made it his personal goal to keep Aaron’s business successful and he works around the clock to make it happen. He misses meals, he doesn’t visit, he barely even takes a phone call. He doesn’t stop, Abbey. But, after meeting you, I’ve had a few more phone calls, a visit or two, and I’ve heard about the things he’s done with you. All of that is wonderful, but what really hit me was how many times you have been able to make him want to stop working. You’re the only person who can do it. Even Sarah didn’t get as much attention as you’re getting from him.”
“If what you say is true, then why is he still planning to move to New York? Why isn’t it enough to make him see that work isn’t everything?”
“All he’s known his adult life is an inability to make things work. His marriage was a disaster—he closed up right after all that—and now all he has is the business. He doesn’t want to let his father down.”
What if he was afraid at failing with Abbey? Was he worried he’d give it all up, like he had with Sarah, only to have it not work out between them? Was it up to her to show him that they were worth a shot? “And you expect me to convince him to stay?”
“I think you’re doing a pretty good job already,” she said with a smile. “Now, let’s take a look at those test results.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Abbey sat amidst the pile of papers she’d used to scratch out ideas for Nick’s Christmas party. She’d sketched table designs for the dining room, listed food pairings she thought would fit the season, and she’d created a wine and beer list. There were still a million little things she had to do to organize it all and get it ready. It was a far cry from her usual decorating. This was more of a favor than design, but she didn’t mind doing it for Nick. She’d never had a chance to plan a party like this before, and she figured she could always add it to her portfolio. However, she had questions that he wasn’t there to answer, and she knew, at some point, she’d better talk to him about Caroline’s test results.
She got out her phone and texted: I got your grandmother’s test results back. Want to know what’s going on with her or shall I wait to fill you in when you return? She hit send and put her phone down on top of the wine and beer list.
The response came immediately: Let’s talk tonight. When is a good time to call?
She was supposed to buy gift basket items for Max’s school this evening, shop for Nick because she wanted to get him a Christmas present, she also had to finish planning for the party, and she had to get Max to do his homework, cook dinner, and get him to bed. She was already tired and needed to get to bed early but the idea of hearing Nick’s voice was too enticing to pass up. She texted back, How about nine o’clock tonight?
Whatever works for you, he texted back. :) Chat soon.
She peered down at her phone. Was that a smiley face? Had he inserted an emoticon in his message? “Haha!” she laughed out loud. It had surprised her.
Abbey was so excited at the thought of talking to him. She knew she had to stop this, and get over it, but she just couldn’t. Caroline had mentioned that he needed her to show him how to live, but what Caroline hadn’t said was that Abbey needed him too.
Nick brought something out in Abbey that made her feel more alive than she had in years. She hadn’t told him, but she’d never danced with a man before at Alma’s restaurant—only with Max or in her living room when Alma came over. She’d never have stopped to ice skate. But with him, she wanted to. The way his face changed when he was around her made her want to be with him. She craved his attention, and loved the thrill of seeing his playful side. When she’d first arrived at that big house of his, and the rooms seemed massive and unlivable, she wondered how he could live there, but now, his house was shaping up to be a wonderful home, and his money was just a part of who he was—she hardly noticed it. She loved sitting in that enormous ballroom on those fluffy sofas in front of the fire. All the glamour and luxury of that big house didn’t overwhelm her anymore.