I lean closer and press my lips to hers. The music stops. “Umm, can we get this over with? I’m freezing my balls off.”
“Do you have to be that crass, Beacon?” Grace chides him.
“No, but I can’t help myself.”
“Dinner and a comedy show,” I say, bowing. “After you, my lady.”
“Candlelight dinner by the lake inside what looks like a magical treehouse?” she says with a soft, yet excited, voice. “You didn’t need to—”
“I wanted to do it. I want you to know that I’m falling in love with you, that you make me happy.”
Her bottom lip quivers. “Thank you.”
I pull out the chair. “Thank you for giving us a chance.”
Sanford mouths don’t fuck it up.
Like I need him to remind me that if I do something stupid, I might lose all this.
Can I keep it together?
And if so, for how long?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Nathalie
If someone had told me six weeks ago that I’d be commuting twice a week to Seattle—in a helicopter—I would’ve laughed.
When Aspen offered to mentor me, I thought it’d be easy to drive to Seattle every day. Fisher thought I was insane. My options were to drive on Wednesday and stay at his house in Seattle for a couple of days or have his pilot fly me Wednesdays and Fridays. I chose the second one because I can’t imagine not seeing him or Keaghan every day.
The decision surprised me. Back in New York, I didn’t care if I didn’t see whoever I was dating for weeks. Now, I can’t imagine not seeing my guys every day. Why am I calling them my guys?
As the helicopter approaches Luna Harbor, my phone buzzes. I hope it’s Fish, but no, it’s Amber.
Amber: Are you being held against your will?
I laugh.
Nathalie: Why do you ask that?
Amber: Well, you’re still in Luna Harbor. It’s been more than a month since you moved.
Nathalie: It might’ve been the best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.
Amber: How’s the clinic doing?
Nathalie: Not as great as I thought before moving in, but I’m making progress.
Amber: How about Mr. Hot Stuff? How are things with him?
Nathalie: They’re as good as they can be with a newborn at home. We haven’t had time to go on a date after the one by the lake.
Amber: If you need me to babysit, let me know. I can try to fly there for the weekend. How about Memorial Day? It’s in a couple of weeks.
Nathalie: Isn’t that the Hamptons weekend?
Amber: I heard the Sanders aren’t going to be in town. It’ll be a little tacky to go to their house without them.
Nathalie: But it’s a tradition.
Amber: Like you care, you never went with us.
Nathalie: Let me see. If we don’t have plans for that weekend, okay.
Amber: With your sexy man?
Nathalie: Yeah. He has a big family, and they always have plans.
Amber: Fine, ditch me for your new family.
Nathalie: If we can’t that weekend, I’ll try to come and visit you soon.
Amber: Will I meet him?
As the helicopter begins to descend, I get a text from Fisher.
Fish: I heard you're arriving soon. I’m in the farmhouse with San.
Nathalie: Hey, I’m home. Let’s chat later.
Amber: What happened with sisters before misters?
Nathalie: Love you!
The helipad and airstrip are close to the farmhouse but far away from the lavender fields. I’m not a fan of running, but I rush to the house as soon as I’m out of the aircraft. My first stop is the powder room. I wash away the germs from the trip. I take off my sweater and change my t-shirt. Fish thinks I’m a germaphobe for doing all that. I’m just making sure that if I bring any germs with me, they stay away, so Keagh doesn’t get sick.
Once I come out, they’re outside the powder room, waiting for me.
“You’re awake.” I extend my arms. “Come here, baby boy.”
He coos when I press him close to my body. “I missed you.”
“He missed you too.” Fish gives me a peck on the lips. “How was your day?”
“Long. We went to the hospital to check on some of her patients. I met Nana from Sinners of Seattle. She had a little girl yesterday. The baby is perfect and beautiful. Her big brother is adorable too.”
“We could wait a couple of years and give Keagh a sister.”
I stare at him. “Slow down, mister. We’ve been dating for just a few weeks, and you want to have a baby already?”
He shrugs. “You want to eat dinner here or at home?”
It’s weird that he calls his place home. I’ve been living there since the baby came into his life. There are nights when I’m almost out the door before he convinces me to stay. I sleep every night in his bed. Unlike him, who sometimes stays in the guestroom.
“Nat?”
“Umm…what are we doing for Memorial Day weekend? Amber wanted to come and babysit so we could go out on a date.”
“We’re going to Baker’s Creek. Nando’s friend, Brianna, is coming to check out the festivals. There’s a big family reunion. Why don’t I take you to visit Amber the weekend after?”
“That’s a sweet offer, but…Are you ready to meet my friends?”
“I trust they’ll be discreet.”
“They will, I promise.” I kiss Keaghan’s cheek. “You’re going to meet the craziest aunts in the world. Amber and Tracy are going to adore you, I promise.”
Fish pulls out his phone. “I’ll have Lang prepare the house.”
“What house?”
“We own a house in Brooklyn. Each one of us has a room there. He has to add some furniture for Keagh.”
Why would they own a house in Brooklyn? It might be the same reason why they have a villa in Portugal or a cabin in Vancouver. I just don’t know it yet. “There’s always something new to learn about you, Hannigan.”
He winks. “Stick around for a lifetime, and you might discover all my secrets.”
“Tempting.”
“I can tempt you to do other things tonight.”
“I’m going to my apartment.”
He gives me a challenging glare. “We’ll see.”
Chapter Thirty
Nathalie
When we arrive home, a couple is waiting for us with a little girl whose forehead is bleeding.
“What happened?” I ask as I open the door and usher them inside.
“Sam was at a friend’s house. They were climbing trees, and she slipped, hitting her forehead on one of the branches.”
Fish hands me the baby. “I’ll be back with your bag.” He climbs the stairs three at a time.
“We should go to the powder room so I can clean the wound. It’s going to be okay, Sam. I promise.”
She sniffs.
“Did you hit your head?”
“No. It just…it’s like it stabbed my forehead. It felt almost the same way it does when the doctor gives me a shot.”
Fish hands me my bag. I give him the baby, who protests. “Let’s take care of Sam first, and then I’m all yours, okay, Keagh?”