“It’s your house, too. Go ahead,” Nick replied, handing her the cordless phone.
She dialed the number.
Her sister wasted no time picking up the phone. After half a ring, her voice came over the other end. “Hello?”
“Ash?”
“Aimee Marie Hummel, where in God’s name have you been? Are you all right?”
“Calm down. I’m fine. I’ve just been sitting on the beach and crying. Nick was out there, too, and he found me. I guess we worked things out. I’m at our house now.”
“You were supposed to be at work! I called Pete for you. He wasn’t too happy, and he says this is your last sick day for a while, but he isn’t gonna fire you.”
“Well, that’s Pete. He’s threatened to fire me a lot of times, but he’s never actually done it.”
She could hear Ashley sigh disapprovingly into the mouthpiece. “That’s not really the point, but I’ll just let it go for now. So do you want me to drop off your stuff and Caitlin? Or I could just keep her for the night and you could pick her up tomorrow. You’re probably in no shape to drive, knowing you when you cry.”
“Thanks a lot. But anyway, if you don’t mind, that would be great. I think Nick and I need a night to ourselves.”
“AIMEE!”
“That wasn’t what I meant, Ash. Get your mind out of the gutter. Come on.”
“Okay, well, have fun. Relax. I love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye.” She hung up the phone and looked over at Nick. “She’s keeping Caitlin for the night.”
“I gathered that. Come here,” he ordered gently, patting the empty cushion beside him. As she sat down, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I really missed you, Aims. The house just feels so empty when you’re gone.”
“I missed you, too.”
“Steph finally gave up. She and I got into a huge argument after you left. I didn’t bother trying to be civil to her anymore. I said something mean, and she went outside, got in her car, and left. I assume she’s done trying to get in my way.”
“I hope so.” She let out a small sniffle.
“Aw, babes, are you still crying?”
“No, I’m just…I have a cold,” she lied.
Gently he placed a finger on her chin and lifted her face to look at him. “You’re still crying. Please don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry more than anything.” He placed a kiss on her forehead, then her nose, then both cheeks, and finally her lips.
“I missed this,” she whispered. “I can’t believe…”
He barely moved his mouth away from hers to reply. “Shhhh, don’t talk. Just get lost in the moment.” Then he kissed her again. She looked into his eyes. They were full of passion and care, something she had never seen in a guy’s eyes before, at least, not for her. That was all the reassurance that he loved her that she needed. Pieces of clothing landed on the floor in a frenzy, and soon, Nick was positioned over her. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” she replied, pulling his face to hers for another sweet kiss.