Page 43 of The Do-Over Girl

NASH

I’m almost surprised she comes to me, and I take her in my arms, holding onto her before she changes her mind.

“Do you believe in déjà vu?” she asks, smiling, though I can feel her nervous tension. My temperature goes up.

“Not this time. Everything is different.”

“Except the song, the place, the dance—”

“We’re different. And the same. Grown up, I guess.”

“You guess?” She gives me her real sugar-and-spice-and-everything-nice smile this time, no nerves, unless you count mine because I feel the zing of her genuine affection aimed at me, striking me down to the bone like a Top Gun Cupid—penetrating well past my stupid dick.

“I think you’ve grown up quite nicely, Nash. The way you handle the kids proves it.”

“It proves something. Maybe that I had nothing better to do.”

She stops and puts a hand on my chest, and I think she’s going to push me away, but she doesn’t. She slides her hand up to my cheek and caresses it, forcing me to stare into her gorgeous green eyes filled with life and lo—um, something emotional.

“I mean it. You’re good for them. You’ve set an excellent example, you’ve worked hard, been generous and caring without compromising discipline.” She shakes her head. “Coach Smitty from the old APA hockey team would be proud of you.”

I laugh. She’s right. I allow a moment of pride—real pride—for doing the kind of thing that matters more than winning a hockey game. Then I gather her close and sway with her in my arms, no matter that the song isn’t a slow one and no matter that some people are staring, because I want to savor every moment of the reprieve from our past baggage that we’ve managed to find. I know it’s temporary. I’m not sure how temporary, but it is, because I meant it when I said we’re different. We’re grown, each with our own lives.

She nuzzles my neck and lifts her gaze to mine, and I breathe deeply. The heady feeling of excitement, combined with a contentment I’ve never felt except with her in my arms, makes me want to hold on even as the music stops.

“Thank you,” she says in a breathy voice, and I’m about to throw fucking caution to the fucking wind and kiss the fuck out of her when someone touches my shoulder.

And by touch, I mean she clutches and hangs on. “There you are, Nash. I’ve been looking for you all night—in between my duties, of course.” It’s Barbara what’s-her-name. Shit.

Kali backs up a step, but I only let go of her with one arm.

“Hello, Barbara,” she says. I don’t say a word to the woman, mostly because I’m not fond of her—the opposite—and I don’t like being a hypocrite. Faking pleasantries isn’t my style.

“Nash, I just returned to town from vacation in Maui and heard all about you coaching the team and helping us save the Academy. So generous of you.” She smiles and moves closer, purposely rubbing her ample boobs against my arm. I still say nothing, though it strains the limits of my capacity for decency.

But the last thing I want to do is cause another scene at another dance with Kali. What pushes my irritation to the red zone is that she ignored Kali’s greeting.

We were all classmates back in the day. Barbara had a crush on me, and the only time I remember Kali having a problem with anyone—besides me—was when she had it out with Barbara and told her to get lost. Those were her exact words. Mild, sure, but shocking from Kali Austin because she was an angel and kind to a fault. Backed by all her friends, Kali’s words were enough to make Barbara lay off. Back then.

Now? I’m not so sure Kali will say a word—no matter how much Barbara’s attempt at flirting bothers her.

Correction—I’m certain she won’t speak up because we’re not an official couple, are we? Even weeks of flirting and one night in bed doesn’t make us a couple, not the way we were back then.

Kali tries so hard not to show her irritation—her jealousy. She maintains a light smile, just short of being faked, the most she can sincerely manage. “Maui sounds wonderful. How was—”

“It was great. So how about it, Nash? Let’s take a twirl around the dance floor for old times’ sake—"

“Sorry, Barbara. I’m done dancing for the night.” I give her a half smile, though it pains me. It’s not like she’s a guy, and I can growl at her.

“Why not—”

“Nash, I think I see Dylan looking for you. Over there.” Kali points behind Barbara, and I nod, heaving a grateful sigh.

“How about if I come by tomorrow, Nash? I hear you’re staying at the inn.”

I nod and take off. Luckily, Kali was only exaggerating slightly because Dylan isn’t far, and I decide I do need to talk to him.

“Hey, Coach.” His face lights up. He’s almost as tall as I am, though not as filled out. He’s surrounded by kids who clearly admire him, but some of them look from him to me, and I realize they have the same—well, maybe not quite the same admiration for me; perhaps it’s more like respect.