Page 40 of Lucky Shot
Nick looks to me as kids swarm around him. “Are you sticking around?”
“Will you have time to chat more?”
“Yeah. I’ll make sure Travis can cover lunch.”
“Okay.” I stand quickly, making myself a little lightheaded in the process. I think I’m high on nice Nick vibes. “I guess I’ll see you then. Good luck.”
Good luck? I groan inwardly. I don’t know what it is about this guy, but now that he’s playing nice, I find myself revertingback to my teenage self and she was one hundred percent awkward.
“Thanks.” Nick offers me one last dimpled grin.
During lunch, he leads me down a hallway to a small office. Nick stands in the doorway and waves for me to enter.
I take a seat in front of the desk in one of two blue plastic chairs. Nick stands behind the desk, arms crossed over his chest and leaning against the wall.
“Okay. Should I…”
He nods. “Fire away.”
Before I can, Travis appears with two food containers.
“Sandwiches?” he asks Nick, then glances at me and smiles. “Ruby-Doo!”
“Hi.” I laugh at the nickname. “That’s a new one.”
Up close, he’s even cuter. Big brown eyes and long lashes and that smile is full of charm.
“Thanks,” Nick says, stepping forward and taking both containers of food. He holds one out to me.
“Oh. Thanks.” I hadn’t considered food for the day and my stomach is growling.
Travis walks farther into the room, ignoring the annoyed look Nick sends in his direction, and takes the seat next to me. He learns forward in his chair. The excitement splashed across his face has me reciprocating his smile.
“What kind of books do you write?”
“Romance. Mostly paranormal, but I’m branching out to contemporary.”
“Like werewolves and dragons?”
“Vampires, actually.”
Somehow his smile stretches wider. “What about historical? Dukes, viscounts, bodices, and long walks around gardens? I was obsessed withBridgertonwhen it first came out. It was basically my entire personality.”
“No. I haven’t tried historical yet. Are you a big romance reader?”
“I’m more of a film guy.” He glances at Nick. “I get it now.”
“Trav,” Nick says in a low, warning tone.
“Get what?” My brows pinch together in confusion.
“You’re beautiful, and everyone knows Nick’s dad loves to set him up.” He tips his head toward Nick without looking at him. “His dad thinks a good woman will make him less grumpy.”
I glance over at Nick in time to catch an eye roll.
“Yes, I definitely feel less grumpy every time he sets me up with someone against my will.” Nick sits in the leather office chair on the other side of the desk. There’s something I like about seeing him slightly off-kilter, a little exasperated. It makes me feel like less of a mess for not having it all together, like he appears most of the time.
“Mike means well.” Travis waves it off.
