was official, she had fallen for this guy. She never realized how much she craved romance.
“At least I work with kids. And they have a good excuse.” “What’s that?”
“That they’re kids. Now, adults, that’s the problem. It took me five years to convince Greg to get a colonoscopy.”
“Wall? Really?”
“According to him, he doesn’t like garden hoses shoved …” “I get it. How did you get him to go?”
“I hid his clown shoes for two weeks. He had a gig.” “You are downright ruthless, aren’t you?”
“I have my moments.”
Nick took a bite of his eggplant Parmesan. “This is nice, isn’t it?” “Well, I figured after the day you had, this might be a nice
change.”
“You’re right about that.” He stopped and turned his head.
“Why does that cat keep staring at me?”
“He stares at everybody. In another week, he goes home to stare at his own people.”
“Good for you both.” He smiled. “You really look wonderful after the day we just had. How do you do it?”
“Are you kidding?” She beamed. “Today was fun! I know you deal with this stuff all the time, but standing there on that stage today, it just hit me.”
“What hit you?” he asked.
“You. I was standing next to a guy I’d recently wanted nothing to do with. And this guy turns out to be one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. You mean what you say. You are helping the kids. Can I tell you something?”
She paused and sipped her wine, watching Nick grab a garlic roll. He appeared uneasy.
“The few times I did get serious with a guy, they’d comment how being on call sounded like a lot of work. That I would never have any free time. They would always ask how much I made or if I wanted kids. Like I was filling out a job application. Then I meet you. You never asked ‘why?’ or ‘who?’ You just listened. And then you and your dad come along with this idea and the next thing I know, you raise three billion dollars, and I’m staring at a sea of cameras and reporters. And you don’t even flinch. I would be