Joyfully His(Sterling Canyon Book 4)(15)
“No. You?”
“Not even a little.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“So, what next?”
He chuckled. “I need a minute.”
“No,” she laughed. “I mean, what is this? Is it even anything?”
How embarrassing and desperate of her to demand answers he probably didn’t have. She’d initiated this little visit; now she was pressuring him. Oh, boy, would Amy have lots to say.
But he surprised her for the second time tonight. “It is to me.”
“Like, a really nice one-off, or . . .”
“Are you asking for my intentions?” He grinned. “I’d like to see you, Nik, but I don’t want to make things awkward at work, especially while I’m in limbo over there.”
She nodded. That niggling worry that his newfound attraction for her might have a little to do with securing his job resurfaced. “So you’d rather us keep this quiet?”
“I’d rather do whatever makes you comfortable.” He wrapped a bit of her hair around his finger.
“Oh.” If only she knew what would be best. “This isn’t anyone’s business. At least not until we figure out what this is . . . what we really want. I also don’t want to be questioned by Billy, Don, or anyone else about what lesson assignments I hand out.”
“Undercover it is, then.” He rolled back on top of her, a position she welcomed, and gazed right into her eyes. “But, Nik, I don’t need more time to know what I want.”
She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, but then he kissed her, and that did the trick even better.
Chapter Eight
Andy trailed behind Millie during their final run, watching her practice the edging they’d been working on all day. Cloudy skies made for flat light, but she read the terrain pretty well and handled the moguls with agility. He had to admit she’d improved since he’d skied with her in the past. For the most part, they’d fallen into their former rapport, and the day had been more fun than he’d predicted.
She’d been cheerful and lively, as always—flirtatious without crossing any real lines. It shouldn’t shock him. She was married now. Maybe, contrary to his gut reaction to that news, she actually loved the older guy.
Together, they returned to the base. Millie handed Andy a hundred bucks. “I’m so excited just thinking about how to update our master bathroom. I’ll be honest, I still like my family’s home better than the little place Mitchell bought us, but he wants his privacy.”
“I look forward to helping you bring it up to par.” He shoved the money in his jacket, happy that he might get his first side job without relying on Emma.
Millie stood with her skis propped against her body, playfully pushing at his shoulder with her free hand. “I know how good you are with those hands—I’m expecting miracles.”
He couldn’t deny they’d had some fun times together, but he wouldn’t encourage her flirtation with banter. “Thanks. I’ll see you later, then.”
“Eight o’clock.” She hiked her skis up onto her shoulder. “You still a fan of New Belgium’s Fat Tire?”
“Of course.”
“See you later.” She gave a little wave before sauntering off without another word.
Behind him, Andy heard a snicker. In a mocking voice, Billy B trilled, “It’s easy, Billy. Just upsell from your group lessons.”
Andy turned, telling himself not to fight. “Hey, Billy.”
Billy shook his head. “I see clearly, now. The key to success is to flirt with Nikki and bang the clients—not that I’m complaining. I’m happy to follow in those footsteps.”
Instructors and other students began crowding the outdoor patio area. In his peripheral vision, Andy saw Nikki come outside, as she often did to check on clients at the end of lessons.
Billy stood nearby, a taunting smirk in place. Andy’s gaze darted back to Nik, then circled the crowd. Damn. Without sparing Billy much of a glance, he shrugged. “Go for it.”
He fixed a nonchalant smile in place while strolling toward the circle of instructors gathering to listen to whatever Nik had come to say.
When she finished, Greg slapped Andy’s shoulder. “Let’s hit the OS.”
Andy hadn’t stepped inside the Outpost Saloon since the night of his accident. Its owners had had to pay Grey for their role in overserving Andy, so he’d been too uncomfortable to return. But maybe his hesitancy—his own lingering guilt—was part of the reason others couldn’t get past his mistake.
Avery had said he should be at least as angry with the OS and its untrained bartender as the bar owners were with him. He hadn’t believed his sister then, but perhaps she had a point. Neither the bartender nor his friends had tried to stop him from getting behind the wheel. And anyway, he supposed he couldn’t hide out forever, because the OS was a favorite watering hole for the instructors.
Andy tried to catch Nikki’s eye, but she kept them carefully locked on whatever paperwork she’d fastened to her clipboard. Okay, then. He looked at Greg and took the plunge. “Sure, why not?”
His anxiety about returning was one hundred times worse than the reality. The owners weren’t on-site, and no one working there made an unfriendly remark. Within ten minutes, his shock wore off, allowing him to relax and enjoy himself with his friends.
A couple of rounds of pool later, he itched to get home, shower, eat, and hightail it over to Millie’s. Making extra cash on the side meant he’d be able to afford rent. To afford privacy for the first time in forever. Privacy that would give him and Nikki a chance to explore these feelings without interference.
Meanwhile, she hadn’t called or texted him all afternoon.
On his way home, he gave her a buzz. “Hey, Nik. I half expected you to show up at the OS today. I could’ve used a good partner at the pool table.”
“You took off without saying much.”
“Sorry.” Had he misread her signals? “Billy was making comments just before Greg threw out the invitation. We agreed to keep it on the DL for now, right?”
She didn’t say anything for a second. “We did.”
After another awkward pause, she asked, “So, what are you up to now?”
“Quick shower and then heading over to Millie’s. She’s planning to remodel her master bathroom and invited me to bid on the project.”
More silence.
“Nik?”
“I’m here.”
“That’s all? I thought you’d be happy about me following through on your idea.”
“With Millie?” Her voiced sounded ten degrees cooler.
All this time he thought Nikki had gone out on a limb for him because she knew and trusted in him. He didn’t expect he’d have to prove himself time after time or defend himself when he hadn’t even done anything wrong.
“Yeah. I mentioned how I was considering picking up some remodeling jobs to supplement my income. She was supportive.”
“How convenient.”
Andy understood jealousy and insecurity . . . to a point. He counted to three before saying, “What’s with the attitude?”
“No doubt she’ll want you to test her Jacuzzi tub.”
“She’s married.”
“She’s still Millie.”
He blew out a breath while staring at the road ahead. “It almost sounds like you’re expecting me not to be friends with women from my past.”
“If I forbid that, your only female friends would be your sister, Kelsey, and Emma.”
Who is this woman, and what did she do with Nikki?
“You know what? Either you trust me or you don’t. I’m going to hang up before this turns into a fight. Call me once you make up your mind.” He punched the phone off.
Maybe he hadn’t handled that like a champ, but if she didn’t trust him, they had no shot at a decent relationship. That thought settled in his chest like a bowling ball.
#
Andy glanced at his watch for the second time since he’d measured the bathroom and written up Millie’s wish list: heated floors, new cabinets with marble counters, updated shower stall with a built-in bench. A big job—and, as a second job, one that would require him to work late into the night on a regular basis in order to get it done in a reasonable time frame.
Millie handed him a beer and lightly shoved him onto the sofa. The snug-fitting cashmere wrap dress she wore drew attention to her ample cleavage. She toyed with the necklace nestled right above the swell of her breasts. He prayed this getup was because she had plans to go out, because he had no plans to resume their old relationship.
“What about your husband?” Andy asked, crossing one foot over his knee. When she shot him a questioning look, he added, “Does he have parameters for the project, like a budget?”
She flitted her hands. “He doesn’t care. Whatever I want.”
“Lucky you.” Andy grinned. Millie had grown up rich and married richer. She’d never been a snob, though. Actually, she’d been fun and generous throughout their acquaintance. He was glad that her life had turned out like she wanted. He started to relax, assuming she wouldn’t jeopardize her situation for a quick fling.
“I suppose.” She sat beside him on the sofa, her lips forming a tiny pout.