Page 66 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
“He misses you.”
“I miss him.”
As we head toward the large cats section, my phone rings, it’s Vance. “Excuse me, I have to take this.”
Destiny
It was so nice to see Jo-Jo. He looks healthy and happy. I love watching Nicco with the animals, he’s like a big kid.
Walking back toward me, he has the biggest smile on his face and his eyes are wide. He stands in front of me with his mouth partially open, but says nothing.
“What? What is it?”
“They want me,” he says, shaking his head. “They want me,” he says a little louder, bending his knees and shaking his hands.
“Who, who, which agency?” Goose bumps break out all over my body.
“Vance.” Blindsiding me, he scoops me into his strong arms and spins me around, laughing. When he puts me back on the ground, he holds me, lingering, eyes darting back and forth between mine. “This is unbelievable. Thank you, Destiny. You made this possible.” His gratitude warms my heart.
“I only helped set it up, you did all the hard work.”
“We have to celebrate.” Excitement radiates from him as he throws his arms out to his sides.
“Absolutely. Do you want to skip the movie tonight and go to dinner?”
“No. I want you so come to Ranch Inn with me tomorrow.”
What?!“What?” A wave of heat rushes from my head to my toes.
“I have to leave earlier than I planned. During my meeting with Vance, he told me about Ranch Inn and I booked a room for Wednesday to Thursday. I have to leave on Friday. We can go together and celebrate.”
I want to spend more time with him, but that will only make ending, whatever this is, harder. Conflict spins like a twister inside me.
“Will you?”
“I don’t know, Nicco —”
“Please. I have a suite and you’ll have your own bedroom. I mean, technically, we’ve already slept under the same roof together.” He winks at me, putting his hands on my waist, increasing my body temperature. “It’s beautiful there. Have you ever been?”
“No, I haven’t, but I have friends who have and they’ve told me how beautiful it is.”
“Then let’s go. We can experience it together and celebrate the start of my future.”
“I —” My head is spinning.
“I’ll bet you’ll even find some inspiration there.” The way he smiles at me is like he knows the power it has over me and he’s using it to its full potential to wear me down.
It’s working. My yearning heart makes the decision. “Okay, I suppose I can go.” Did I really just agree to spend the night in the same suite with him on a getaway to a romantic destination? I’ve lost my mind.
“Yes!” he cheers, picking me up in his arms again, then putting me down.
“After the large cats, we should probably start heading back so we can get to the theater on time.”
As I drive, we talk about what we liked at the zoo and he tells me how fascinated he was by my connection with Jo-Jo. And then, he brings up the topic I was hoping to avoid talking about with him.
“So, I enjoyed reading your books.”
“Oh good. I’m glad.” I keep my response short and brief. The thought of him reading my books, my innermost thoughts, makes my stomach churn. Before I can change the subject, he continues.
