Chapter 60
Nell slumped onto the couch, touching her hand to her lips, something she’d done several times since she’d woken up. She’d wanted to kiss Thomas. And it seemed Thomas wanted to kiss her. The only one opposed to the idea was an orphaned kitten that she swore had lashed out at Thomas on purpose.
She’d forgotten how it felt to have a man be interested in her.
Instead, Nell had built her business, raised Andrea, and ignored the fact that Darren couldn’t keep his fly zipped around other women.
When it came to her own needs, she employed spicy romance novels and a vibrator.
But maybe Andrea was right. Maybe a one-night stand beat fiction and battery-operated tools.
The side door slammed shut, announcing Tricia’s arrival and ending Nell’s daydream. Men could wait. For now, she was here to help Tricia.
“I cannot believe you fixed the inventory database. What sort of magic is in those fingers of yours?”
Nell didn’t have time to answer before her friend flung herself on the couch beside her.
“Do you know how much that’s going to help our sales? I can track things now. Hallelujah!”
Nell rested her head on her friend’s shoulder. “Marketing strategy is next, now that we have a better idea of what’s on hand.”
“Have I told you that you are the best friend a woman could have? And that I will forever be grateful that you dropped everything to come live with me and save my business?”
Nell nudged Tricia, then sat up. “You’re saving me, remember? This move is giving me purpose again. And someplace to live,” she added with a laugh.
Tricia squeezed her arm. “Nell, you deserved better. Darren was an asshat. Remember that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my memory.” Nell sighed, an image of Thomas popping up in her head. His strong biceps, trim waist, and tight butt kept her imagination racing, but his kindness and tenderness to the rescued kittens made her gooey inside.
Tricia tilted her head. “Was that a whimper?”
Nell’s cheeks warmed. She hadn’t fully processed what the almost-kiss meant. But once Tricia caught a scent, she was like a bloodhound.
“More like a lustful longing,” Nell admitted.
“What book are you reading?” Tricia asked. “I know for a fact that the operating manual for the packing machine does not induce longing of any sort.”
“I ran into the vet on the Foliage Tour yesterday.”
Tricia hopped off the couch and stared down at Nell. “Why am I only now hearing about this?”
“It’s not a big deal.” But it was, so much so that Nell sagged, knowing she couldn’t put into words how she felt.
“It is. Thomas Finch doesn’t leave the clinic, as far as I’ve heard. I don’t even think I’d recognize him on the street.” Tricia narrowed her eyes. “There’s something else. Spill it.”
Nell squirmed under her friend’s gaze. She looked out the window and focused on the red-and-orange leaves blowing in the wind. She’d been in town three days, and she knew the locals better than someone who’d lived here her entire life.
Knowing Tricia deserved to know, Nell said, “We almost kissed. I think.”
Tricia’s mouth opened and closed, then she fell onto the couch. “Details. I need details.”
Nell brought Tricia up to speed. “I don’t understand why I feel this way, but it’s like a switch flipped on for the first time in years.
He’s a stranger, but I feel a connection.
Electricity or…” Nell didn’t want to say what she was really thinking because there was no such thing as magic.
“I don’t know. Something I haven’t felt before. Ever.”
Tricia put her hand on Nell’s arm. Her friend’s eyes searched her face, frowning like she already knew what was coming. “I don’t want to deflate your balloon, but I also don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Nell, cringing.
“Thomas is an excellent vet, but he’s a loner and quiet.
It’s selfish, but I don’t want to share you with someone else.
” She raised her hand when Nell opened her mouth to defend a man she barely knew.
“And if you got together and then broke up? It’s a small town, Nell.
You’d be trying to avoid him every time you went out. ”
Nell flinched. Tricia knew her too well. “According to you, he doesn’t go out much. I’m sure I’d be fine.”
“Probably. But Darren did a number on you. What would you do if Thomas lied to you like he did?”
Nell’s stomach clenched. She knew Tricia was trying to keep her safe, but something told her Thomas would never treat her the way Darren had. She also suspected he wasn’t telling her something. Whether that was a lie or an omission, it didn’t matter. She needed the whole truth.
“Fine.” Nell let out a long breath. “But if I can’t hang out with the hot vet, can we do something other than work tonight?”
Tricia grabbed Nell’s hands and pulled her off the couch. “I’m glad you asked. The Fall Festival is tonight. Live music, local beer. Dancing. With or without men. What do you think?”
Part of Nell hoped Thomas would be there, but she kept that thought to herself. “Let’s go.”