Oscar had been waiting for Sally outside the ER and as soon as she took his hand, he drew her close and kissed her.

She still wasn’t entirely used to it.

His kisses didn’t make her limbs burn the way Nate’s did, but they weren’t unpleasant and so she went with it.

Things with Oscar were easy.

Everybody loved him and they were all constantly encouraging her to go for it. They were happy that she was dating such a sweet, attentive man. Finally, after all her “suffering” she could move on and get all the things she wanted.

They were right, to some degree. Oscar was the type of man to give her the things she’d always dreamed of.

So why… She stopped the question in her head before it could fully form.

She had to stop asking why. She had to stop bemoaning the fact that her ultimate dream had Nate picking her up and taking her out to dinner.

Seeing Blaine earlier in the week had really messed with her head. She had to get over it.

“So, I’ve made reservations at Evana’s.” Oscar pulled out of the hospital parking lot and turned left.

“Wow. Fancy.” Sally looked down at what she was wearing.

Evana’s was the only gourmet restaurant in town. It was really expensive, and people only went there to celebrate special occasions. Sally wasn’t sure if Bridget’s floral spring dress would cut it.

“You look beautiful.” Oscar took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. “And you deserve delicious food. Your mother told me you’ve had a tough week, and I want to treat you.”

“A tough week?” Sally asked nervously, wondering just how much of her internal conflict she’d given away without realizing.

“Yeah. She told me about the big car accident a couple of days ago, and that your shifts have been really intense. I’m glad you have the next three days off.”

Sally smiled with relief. “Me too. And you’re sweet to take me out tonight.”

“Someone has to look after you, right?” He winked and turned the corner.

Evana’s appeared up ahead. It had a subtle entrance, wooden double doors indicating to passersby that you had to be something special to be allowed in. For some weird reason it had that allure that made you want to be special enough, like maybe you weren’t quite until you’d dined there at least once.

Oscar stopped the car against the curb and threw his keys to the valet before opening the door for Sally. She took his hand and stepped onto the sidewalk, still feeling underdressed.

“You look beautiful,” Oscar reassured her again before kissing her lips and leading her inside.

They were seated at a table by the window. It would be an intimate dinner for two.

As Sally sat down, her stomach rumbled in anticipation. Thankfully Oscar was too busy ordering wine to notice. She hoped she could remember her mother’s training and act like a lady rather than the complete pig she wanted to be.

Nothing would satisfy her more than a large bowl of curly fries, buffalo wings and a cold beer. She and Nate used to order that at Shorty’s Tavern. It was still one of her favorite places to eat.

Oscar’s phone rang and he glanced at his Apple Watch to see who it was.

He winced and sighed. “I’m so sorry. I really must take this.”

“Go for it.” Sally smiled. “I don’t mind.”

And she really didn’t. It would give her a second to breathe and prep herself for a romantic dinner. She was so tired, she wasn’t really in the mood to talk. She’d like nothing better than a hot shower, pajamas, and to settle down and watch some superhero movie. Throw in a plate of fatty food and a tub of ice cream—heaven. However, that was not going to be, and she’d have to come up with something. Oscar had gone to far too much effort to be saddled with a grumpy, morose date.

The Englishman politely thanked her and stood from his chair, walking away for a little privacy.

Picking up the menu, Sally was about to scan it when she glanced out the window. She did a double take and gasped.

Nate.

He was sitting on his motorbike, his foot resting on the curb, staring at her with a look of complete heartache.

Sally’s stomach convulsed, nerves instantly buzzing over her entire body as she drank in his blue gaze.

She always thought she could drown in those blue eyes.

She probably already had—multiple times.

They called to her in a way that nothing else could, which was why she could do nothing but rise from her chair and walk outside.

Her strappy sandals scuffed the pavement as she approached him.

Damn, he was handsome. Pure rugged beauty that made her insides yearn.

She hated how easily her body could betray her. If his lips even thought about twitching with a smile or if he even uttered one syllable about missing her, she’d be putty in his hands.

She couldn’t let that happen. This was the man who had caused her hours of frustration and heartache. She’d walked away for a reason.

Crossing her arms, she tried to quickly erect some defensive walls to safeguard her heart. “What are you doing here?”

He gazed at her, his expression a mixture of hurt and confusion. “You’re with Oscar.”

The bitter edge to his voice made her shoulders tense, yet still she whispered, “It’s just a date.”

Why did she say that?

Oscar was turning into more than just a date.

Was she afraid of Nate’s reaction?

No.

She’d never been afraid of him.

So why did she feel so bad that he’d seen her with someone else?

It was as if Nate could read her mind, because he softened his tone. It dropped low with the sound of sad resignation. “He said you’ve been seeing each other. That things are going well.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. Oscar hadn’t mentioned seeing Nate. “When did you talk to him?”

“The other day.” He shrugged. “He seems really happy.”

Sally swallowed, unsure what to say.

Nate looked up, capturing her with his intense gaze. “Are you?”

Oh man! His husky voice, that look on his face…how was she supposed to resist him?

Why was Nate’s power over her always so strong? She didn’t want to need him…want him…so badly.

It was a struggle to speak, but eventually Sally softly managed, “Yeah. He’s taking good care of me.”

A muscle in Nate’s jaw worked as he gave her a jerky nod. She knew he was fighting for complete control, tucking all his vulnerable emotions behind that silent wall of his.

She wished he wouldn’t. Part of her was desperate to see him cry. To fall apart. Maybe then she could get a glimpse of how he really felt. What really drove him, and why she’d never been enough.

But there was no way he’d let her see that. It wasn’t his style.

Nate cleared his voice then swallowed. “So, do you love him?”

“I don’t know.” Her response was quick and honest. “It’s all kind of happened so fast.”

Nate’s expression crumpled and he turned to look out across the street. “We happened fast. It must be your style.” The snarky edge to his voice made her want to snap back.

And she did. “You think I wanted it to work out this way? I gave you three years, Nate. Three!”

“And you asked for some space, which I gave you! But then you just move on?”

She scoffed before letting out a pitiful laugh. “What was I supposed to do? Wait around for you to come back and tell me that everything had changed? You weren’t going to do that. I know you, Nate. And I haven’t heard from you once since you moved out.”

“You wanted space!” he shouted.

“No, I wanted you to let me in. To see me. To figure out that I somehow made your life better!”

Whipping back to face her, he killed her sparking fire with his blue eyes. They touched the center of her soul as he whispered, “I let you in.”

Had he?

Really?

Her eyes started to glisten as she tipped her head and gave him a broken smile. “But I still wasn’t enough for you, was I?”

Her statement confused him. “What’s that supposed to—?”

And then his phone started ringing.

He didn’t even hesitate, reaching for it and answering without a second thought. “Hartford.”

Sally rolled her eyes and spun back for the door.

He’d never change.

Work could slice through the middle of anything…even a heart-to-heart that could’ve cleared up so much, and maybe even changed Sally’s mind.