Page 43 of The Maverick

“We’re looking at the stars, and then we’re making out like teenagers because I can’t keep away from you.”

She reached back and set her wine glass on the table. Then she turned her attention to the man she loved almost as much as Jake. She rested her head on his chest and looped her left arm around his neck. “I can’t keep away either. What are we going to do about that?”

“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, Rachel. Even before you came back. It killed me when you married Greg, so I married Janet. I didn’t think I would ever have a chance with you. Marrying her was a huge mistake. The only good thing to come out of it was Bailey.”

“I feel the same way about Jake.”

“You’re my best friend, and I’m scared spitless that I’ll ruin that, but I can’t keep from telling you anymore. I love you, Rach. I want you to marry me.”

Tears formed in her eyes. “You do? Because I love you, too. I’d like to be your wife more than anything. What about Bailey and Jake? Do you think they’ll approve? I haven’t been divorced that long, and I don’t want?—”

He pulled her head to his and covered her mouth with his lips, effectively silencing her.

She let her heart answer his kiss—loving the taste of him, the wine on his tongue as he circled her tongue with his. She cupped the back of his head, keeping him close until she was breathless and had to pull back.

“Is that ayes?”

Rachel grinned at him. “That’s ayes, Mr. Kincaid. A resoundingyes.”

“Are you sure you’re not marrying me just for my money?” he teased.

She laughed. “I loved you long before you had any money. I figured I’d be the breadwinner while you fiddled with your computer. I guess I was wrong about that.”

Nick chuckled. “Just a little. I’m glad you loved me then, because I loved you, too. It nearly killed me when you left for New York. I knew it was the end of our friendship.”

Tears leapt to her eyes. “I cried the entire flight because I was leaving you behind. I was so torn. Did I go become the best doctor I could be or stay where my heart was? I finally decided on doctor because I didn’t know if you could feel for me what I did for you.”

He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re it for me, Rach. You always have been. I think our parents knew it when we were five and couldn’t seem to be happy unless we were together. Do you remember wanting to spend the night with each other all the time. When we were little they let us, but as we reached teenagers, the overnight visits came to an end. Not that I blame them. I’ve got a daughter of my own, and I fully expect her not to date until after I’m dead...or at least until she’s thirty.”

Rachel chortled. “You can hope for that all you want but when she starts discovering boys, she’ll be horrified when you have to beat them off with a stick. Though I fully expect Jake to help you.”

“Speaking of the kids, do you think they’ll be like us and best friends forever?”

“I can only hope they are as lucky as we are. I don’t know if they’ll get married, but I think it’s okay if they decide to. After all, who knows them better than their best friend?”

“When do you want to tell them?” He rested his chin on her shoulder while he held her back to his chest with his arms around her waist.

“I think we should do it at breakfast. I don’t want to put it off.” She folded her arms on top of his and relaxed back against him.

“Agreed. Now, what do you want to do for the rest of the night?”

She knew what he had in mind, and she was totally on board, but... “As much as I would love to spend the night with you, we can’t. What if one of the kids gets up in the middle of the night? I don’t want to have to explain it at three in the morning.”

He growled and squeezed her tighter. “I know you’re right, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Rachel felt lighter than she had in a long time. Having Nick return her feelings was a dream come true. “Then let’s plan on getting married right away. We’ve both been married before. I don’t need a big fancy wedding. I want a justice of the peace and maybe a little reception for our family and friends. What do you want?”

“That sounds perfect. When do you want to do it?”

“In two weeks. That will give us time to get the license, arrange for the judge, and, if it’s okay with you, we’ll have the reception-slash-party here. Your rec room downstairs is plenty big. We’ll just have to use the pool table for the food.”

“Uh—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll cover it with plastic and a huge tablecloth so nothing will get on the felt. Or we can do it in the family room with overflow into the kitchen and out on the patio.”

“That would be my preference and then if people want to play pool or pinball or chess for that matter, they can.”

She was happy to see the game and looked forward to playing it with Jake. “I was surprised to see the pinball machine. Space Invaders was my favorite. Did you remember that or just get lucky?”