Chapter Twenty
As the Handymen team finished up work in those last days before the Haven open house, Nick had to take a couple of mornings to attend business meetings at Inspiration. Details were quickly being finalized for Nick of Time.
He was so accustomed to heading into the Inspiration Network offices with his brothers in tow, but of course, Michael and Eli had nothing to do with the new show.
Lacey wasn’t around either, for the same reason.
As a result, when Nick walked in on an early Monday morning, he couldn’t shake the sensation that he’d forgotten to put on his pants somehow, leaving him totally exposed.
Surely someone from the executive team would point and laugh, and break it to him that they’d made a huge mistake and his career was over.
Only that didn’t happen.
Instead, he met with the producers, who introduced him to his new director.
Teagan Shipp was energetic and bubbly. She wore ripped jeans, a white T-shirt and a blazer.
Her hair was cropped short and dyed green, giving her a definite hipster vibe.
Although he didn’t watch a ton of TV, he recognized her name.
She had gotten her start directing another Inspiration Network show, one about new buyers in the real estate market.
She seemed to be genuinely excited to meet him. When the young woman shook his hand for the first time, she almost yanked it off. “Nick Zorn. Ah, man, what an honor.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Teagan.” He resisted the impulse to shake out his arm.
“I’m such a fan of Handymen. You and your brothers have done outstanding work, and Lacey Styles is a fricking genius! She’s one of my heroes.”
Nick smiled. “As it happens, Lacey’s one of my heroes too. Before she got her hands on me, I didn’t know the first thing about being on camera. And now, here we are.”
“I’m totally pumped to start filming Nick of Time.
I’ve taken so many notes and have lots of ideas for different segments.
I was thinking we could devote a couple of minutes each episode for something I’ve been calling ‘Red Flags.’ Based on the theme of the episode, you could offer up some quick advice about things to watch out for in home renovation.
You know, quick tips and tricks, that sort of thing. ”
“I like that idea. Maybe we could end each episode that way. Some pointers to link it all together.”
“Exactly!” Teagan put up her hand for a high-five.
Nick laughed as he slapped his hand against hers. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
It would be different from working with Lacey, that was for sure. Lacey had sometimes been a bit intense on the set, always a perfectionist, which was great. He didn’t get the sense that Teagan was any less of a stickler, but her style was definitely more laidback.
She certainly wasn’t sending up any red flags for him.
This might actually work.
It was entirely possible that Nick of Time wouldn’t be a massive failure. With a cheerleader like Teagan Shipp on his side, he could possibly succeed.
“I know you’re wrapping up with Handymen, but do you have time to grab a quick coffee with me in the cafeteria?” Teagan asked. “I’d love to tell you more about what I have in mind, and I really want to hear your thoughts too. I’m a big believer in this sort of work being collaborative.”
“Sure. I can grab a coffee.”
“Awesome. This is going to be a big change for both of us, Nick, but I think it’s going to be a good one.”
Nick grinned.
He was starting to think so too.
* * * *
Claire set a lighter on the dining room table, so she could light the candles once Nick had arrived. She then stood back to inspect her handiwork. It might be the height of summer, but something about the occasion called for candlelight.
She’d placed her nicest tablecloth, the one with the shimmery golden threads, on the table. Her best china made up the place settings, and a bottle of chilled white wine stood in the tabletop cooler.
After rummaging in her closet for about half an hour, she’d dug out one of her sundresses. She hadn’t worn it in a couple of years, but the sunflower print was still fresh and bright. After applying a bit of makeup, a tiny spritz of perfume and twisting her hair into a bun, she was ready.
She just needed Nick to walk through the door now.
Tomorrow was the open house at Haven, which would also serve as the big reveal day.
Lacey had ordered Claire off the site for the past couple of days, leaving the volunteers to take care of the cats, so that the crew could put all the finishing touches on the sanctuary renovation.
It had been nerve-wracking, working from home when everyone else was toiling onsite, but Claire was excited to see the place in its new and improved state.
Even though there would be some celebrating at Haven after the shoot, she wanted to have her own private celebration with Nick first.
After all, if it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t be walking around with a foolish grin on her face all the time. Ever since they’d had their discussion that night, during which she’d finally voiced her big fear, it was as if a shadow had been lifted from around Claire’s head.
She was sleeping better nowadays, and she knew much of that was due to her and Nick spending almost every night together.
She hadn’t heard Arthur’s voice in a while, a welcome change.
Of course, she would have given just about anything to hear his actual voice again, but the one she’d fabricated for him had been false and hurtful.
She would always treasure their memories, but she was ready to create some new ones with Nick.
Nick had doing his share of grinning lately too.
The things that had been worrying him lately didn’t seem to bother him as much anymore, which brought her much relief.
She hated seeing him stressed. He’d even relaxed a lot more in the bedroom.
There had been one other time when he’d had some difficulty with his erection, but they’d approached it the same way as before, with patience and gentleness.
And just like the last time, they’d worked through it.
When the familiar knock sounded on the door, a shiver of excitement went down her spine. She got those shivers every time he walked into the room, and she didn’t suppress them anymore. She reveled in them.
She hurried to the door and threw it open.
Nick smiled at her from the porch. He wore tailored blue shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, an ensemble that made him look like summer personified.
That was, if summer looked like a Greek god with tousled hair and a cheeky twinkle in his eye.
He held a bouquet of flowers for her, a colorful mix of yellow, white and orange calla lilies. “Hey, beautiful.”
She gasped. “Nick, they’re gorgeous.”
“Nowhere near as gorgeous as you are.” He entered, kicking off his sneakers. He put the bouquet on the hall table and pulled her into his embrace. “God, you’re a sight for sore eyes. I’ve missed you around the sanctuary.”
“I’ve missed you too, but we’re together now.”
“Yes, we are.” He slanted his head and took her mouth in a hungry kiss.
Claire’s nipples perked up when they met with his hard chest. She opened to him immediately, groaning as his sweet taste teased and his outdoorsy scent enveloped her.
She raised herself up on tiptoes and he slid his hands down to her ass to hold her against him.
He was a feast for her senses, and they went into a frenzy each time he was near.
Even though his kisses were more than enough to nourish her, she grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen.
She needed to check on the food, but wanted to put the lilies in a vase first. Nick stood behind her, his hands on her hips, as she filled the vase with water and arranged the delicate blooms.
When she was done, she turned around. He put his hands on the counter at her sides, penning her in, and she had never been so happy to be surrounded.
“This is pretty on you,” he said, as he moved a finger under the strap of her sundress.
“It’s not new, just something I found at the back of my closet.”
“I like it. I wonder how it will look when I slide it off your curves.”
“We’ll see, won’t we? But first, dinner. You must be starving.”
“I am. It smells like the holidays in here. This was really nice of you, Claire.”
“I wanted to thank you properly.” She swallowed hard. “For all your hard work at the sanctuary, but also for being so patient with me.”
“Of course.” He touched her jaw in a gentle caress. “You mean so much to me.”
He meant the world to her too, and she’d show him exactly how much tonight.
While the Handymen crew had been at work the last couple of days, Claire had tackled a special project of her own, and she couldn’t wait to unveil it.
After grilling him about his food preferences, she’d prepared his favorite meal. She pulled out the large roasting pan, to check on the roast beef and potatoes. Her thermometer indicated that the meal still needed a little bit of time.
Nick inhaled deeply, peeking over her shoulder at the food. “That smell is unbelievable. Don’t ever tell my mom, but it smells even better than hers.”
“Thanks. I’d like to meet your parents,” said Claire, putting the pan back in the oven. “You know, if that’s something you’d like.”
The cutest crinkle appeared at the corner of his eyes. “I’d love that. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
How had she not noticed that eye crinkle before? She’d certainly seen him smile many times.
Was she seeing at him through a different filter now?
Maybe her fear had prevented her from taking a good, long look and seeing the real beauty underneath his surface.
What else had she missed?
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.” She shook her head. She would not wallow tonight. She was happy, for the first time in a long time. “The roast could use a few more minutes. Can I show you something upstairs?”
“You can always show me something upstairs.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or you can show it to me on the couch, or on the kitchen table…”
She pushed him ahead of her. “Get moving. Upstairs, buster.” As he walked up the stairs, she pinched his butt, making him jump. “Sorry. That was way too tempting.”
When they got to the upper landing, Nick turned to her. “Where to?”
“I want to show you something in my bedroom.”
They hadn’t been in there together since he’d helped her assemble the Ikea dresser.
Each time they’d made love at her house, it had always been in the spare room, and Nick had never asked about using her own bed.
He’d understood it was a no-fly zone, so to speak.
It had bothered her. She’d wanted to feel good about touching Nick in her own bed, in her own sheets.
But she’d realized she needed to make a change first.
She opened the door into her bedroom and turned on the lights. “After you.”
He walked in, and his jaw dropped. He took in the entire empty room, slowly spinning. A slight frown marred his brow, the same frown he always got when he was concentrating. Or worrying. “You’ve stripped it. Are you redecorating?”
“Yeah. The whole nine yards.” She marveled at her own progress. She’d already painted over the old color, and the walls were now covered in white primer. She just needed to choose a new paint color, and was hoping Nick would help her with the decision.
“But how did you get the bed and furniture out of here?”
“I asked Michael and Eli to help me shift a few things when you were at one of your meetings with the network. They were really helpful. Eli even offered to take the old bed to the charity shop for me. I’ve ordered up a new bed and side tables. They should be here soon.”
He touched the wall. “You’ve even removed all the switch plates.”
“They hadn’t been replaced in years. It was time. By the time I’m done, it’ll be a brand-new room.”
Curiosity warmed his gaze. “Why the change?”
“Because I want to be able to use it with you. I want you to be comfortable in my bedroom. I don’t want you to feel relegated to the spare room. You’re too important for that.”
“Oh, Claire, I don’t want you to feel like you have to remove every trace of Arthur in your house. He was your husband. I never expected to come into a blank slate.”
“I know, and he’ll always be in my heart.” She grabbed his hand and placed it over her chest. “But you’ve taken over my heart too. Do you feel that?”
She heard his swallow. “It’s beating hard.”
“For you,” she said. “Every time you walk into the room, my heart goes wild. It’s yours, Nick. It belongs to you.”
His frown deepened, but she knew it wasn’t out of anger. “C’mere.” He wrapped her in his arms and held her tight. “My heart belongs to you.”
When they started kissing, right there among the empty primer cans and dry paint brushes, Claire almost forgot her roast beef dinner.
It was so easy to forget the world when Nick kissed her.
However, she knew they had a bit of time.
She managed to drag herself away from his lips, just for a moment. “I have one more thing to show you.”
His grateful smile was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. “I’m not sure I can handle it.”
“Sure, you can.” Still holding his hand, she led him to the spare bedroom.
“Obviously, until the new furniture arrives, we still have to use this room. But I wanted to make it homier for you.” She had moved the Ikea dresser into this room, and she walked over to it now and opened two drawers.
“These are for your things. You know, for when you stay over, so you don’t always have to pack a bag or put your old clothes back on.
You could just keep some stuff here, instead. ”
“My own drawers?”
“Yeah…if you’d like them.”
He caressed her cheek. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more. Claire, thank you. This means the world to me.”
She smiled as butterflies took flight in her chest. “I’m glad.”
“We’re going to have to put some of your clothes in my drawers now.” He drew close for another kiss, and flicked his tongue against the corner of her mouth.
Sighing, she threw her arms about his neck and welcomed his tongue against her own.
When he eased her onto the bed, and slid one dress strap from her shoulder, he said, “I don’t want to ruin your dinner.”
She considered her timing. “Dinner’s fine. Like I said, we have a few minutes.”
He knelt at the side of the bed, and pushed her skirt up toward her waist. With one eyebrow arched, he removed her panties. He lowered his head. “A few minutes is all I need. For now.”
Claire closed her eyes and happily lost track of the time.