Chapter 10: More Than a Pretend Honeymoon

THEO

Seeing Etta and the kids was great. I was actually sad to leave.

I didn’t see family often and never had a problem with it, but I realized I was missing out on a lot by being gone all the time.

“Hey!”

I was so lost in thought I didn’t realize it was time for Nadia’s flight to arrive.

“Hey,” I said as I jumped up. “How was your flight?”

“It was good. I hate flying alone, though.”

“I rarely minded it. I could get some last-minute work done.”

“It’s good to see you again, Theo, and I’m sorry for being difficult last week.”

“It’s all in the past. We have four more weeks together, so don’t worry about it.”

I didn’t want her beating herself up for things that I’d gotten over, or things that didn’t matter. I led Nadia toward our rental car.

We walked in silence, and I was feeling awkward.

“Nate said hi, by the way.”

I smiled at her as I put the car in reverse to leave the parking spot. Nate was an impressive young man. He was smart and mature for his age.

“Tell him I said hi the next time you talk to him. Also, tell him we need to play some ~Island of the Dead~,” I said.

“He would enjoy that.”

“The drive is about an hour, so why don’t you tell me how your weekend at home went?”

“It was nice to be home after a week away. Nathan is doing well, better than I expected, and he loves his freedom.”

I felt a bit disappointed that he didn’t need me while I was away.

“He’s a smart kid, so I’m sure he will continue to do well.”

“How about you? How was your visit home? Obviously, you got to hang out with some adorable children.”

“I stayed at my sister’s house and met my nephew for the first time, but I also talked to my brother-in-law about your custody issue.”

“I thought I said I didn’t feel comfortable with you helping me.”

“I know, but I wanted to help, and he found out that you could petition the court. I have all the information in a folder I can give you.”

Nadia let out a sigh.

“Thank you, even though I’m a little annoyed at you.”

“I just wanted to help.”

“I know, which is why I’m not acting out toward you.”

“I also have something else to confess… I missed you.”

I glanced over at her reaction and noticed her body relaxed a bit. I was afraid to admit this to her because it meant I had feelings for her.

I wasn’t sure what these feelings were or where they would lead, but it was a step.

“I missed you too.”

I took that as a sign to try something else, so I took my right hand and reached over the middle console to hold her hand. She didn’t jerk away or deny my hand, and I couldn’t help but smile.

***

“How can I help you, sir?”

“I have a reservation, Theodore Hart.”

The first impression of Ophelia’s bed and breakfast was mixed. The place was nice, but the teens checking us in had a major attitude.

She rolled her eyes when I mentioned my reservation.

“Here are your keys. Your room is on the third floor. If you need anything, come down or push zero on the room phone.”

“Thank you,” I said.

I took the room key from her and picked up our luggage, hauling it up the stairs with Nadia behind me.

“Can you believe how rude she was?” Nadia asked as soon as we made it to our floor.

“Hopefully, she won’t be here every day we are,” I replied.

“I agree.”

I wasn’t sure I could handle a snobby teen.

I placed my stuff near the couch and let out a sigh. That caught Nadia’s attention.

“If it’s all right with you, we could try sharing the bed. This looks like it’s a king bed, so there is plenty of room,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, plus if I keep making you sleep on the couch, you may throw out your back because you’re getting old.”

“Me, getting old? No. I’m just as fit as I was when I was in high school.”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

I picked up a couch pillow and threw it at her. Unfortunately, she caught it, so I didn’t get satisfaction from it hitting her.

“Are you hungry?” she asked as she set the pillow down.

“I am. I didn’t eat breakfast.”

***

Our dinner wasn’t very adventurous. We ate at a chain restaurant so we wouldn’t have to bother with asking the hotel clerk where to eat.

Even though it wasn’t a local place, I still enjoyed it. Nadia seemed more comfortable and open with me.

We talked about the reviews we had drafted in the last place, and we both agreed it was a place that people should visit.

By the time we got back to the bed-and-breakfast, a new person was at the desk.

I stopped by the desk and asked for an extra blanket. The new person was much more polite.

“What’s the extra blanket for?” Nadia asked.

“I thought it would make you feel more comfortable if we didn’t share the same blanket in bed.”

“Why do you care about making me comfortable?”

I sighed and sat on the corner of the bed.

“I like you, and I don’t want you to think I’m a jerk. We got off on the wrong foot, and I want to make up for that.”

“Didn’t you tell me that last week was in the past and to move on?”

I nodded. “Then it’s okay. We’re good, and for the record, I like you too.”