Page 43 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Yet, he hadn’t told her everything about himself, and she’d given him several chances to tonight. He’d just been vague.

But why ruin it? It seemed she liked what she saw in him, so far. Would she think he was such a great catch when she heard he’d buckled under pressure and now barely spoke to two of his three family members?

He didn’t want to start down that path yet. It could wait.

In the meantime, he’d better dial it back. He didn’t want to get too attached if she was just going to turn out like the other women he’d fallen for.

But he wanted to kiss her. He really wanted to. Still, he knew where that would lead. It would just make him want her more.

Nick pulled back from Courtney and looked down at her. Her eyes were full of tenderness.

He couldn’t help himself. “Can I see you again?”

“Absolutely,” she answered quietly, gazing up at him.

“Good.”

He had to get out of there. Before this went any further. But he couldn’t—yet.

He reached out and gently put his arm around her neck, pulled her close, then placed a kiss softly on the top of her head.

Courtney put her head back on his chest and Nick rested his chin on her head. He was in trouble. Big trouble.

Nick pulled back and looked her in the eye. “I’ll call you. Soon.”

“Okay.” Courtney let her arms fall to her side, then pulled her jacket around her more tightly. She reached inside the pocket for her keys.

She opened the door and turned back to face him. “All right, well thanks again, Nick. Have a good night.”

“You too. Sweet dreams.” Nick started back toward the car and Courtney shut the door.

Nick jumped back into his Jeep and headed out the driveway then turned onto the main road.

He couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night, really. They’d talked and laughed. Exchanged a few funny stories. Mentioned their families—well, a little.

He thought about his conversation with Kenny today. All afternoon he’d considered moving back to Chicago. He wasn’t going back to med school, but he still had his certification as a paramedic in the state of Illinois. He’d only have to renew it. Those jobs were usually paid positions in the cities.

Or, he could get a job doing the outdoor thing, outside the city. Or maybe both. Finally make his parents happy—or, less unhappy—with him. Maybe, really get his life back on track, on his terms.

He shook his head softly. But he couldn’t just ditch the shop, bail on the guys. They’d need another tour guide. The summer was booked out for almost four months already, past Labor Day and into late September.

And the search-and-rescue emergency response crew—he had to think about them too. The busy season was right around the bend. He didn’t want to shorthand them.

And now.

Courtney.

He hadn’t gone looking for her. But here she was, filling his thoughts: the perfect girl.

She looked at him like—like he was some sort of rock star. The guy she’d been waiting for all her life.

Was he imagining that?

He wanted to get to know her better, desperately.

But then again, he didn’t, because it would be the beginning of the end. Unless…

Nick turned into his apartment complex’s entrance. Unless he were to take Kenny’s advice.

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