Loving a Keeper by Liz Lincoln

Author:Liz Lincoln
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Liz Lincoln

Nate had dinner made and laid out on the kitchen island for them when Erika walked in. The tofu-veggie stir-fry and edamame fried rice smelled amazing and his mouth watered a little. They could talk over dinner, and he would do his best not to be confrontational in the way he approached the conversation. He’d nearly texted her saying they needed to talk, but realized it came across as way too ominous. “We need to talk,” rarely meant good things.

And this wasn’t a bad thing. He didn’t think. He didn’t know. So he would ask.

“That smells amazing,” Erika said by way of greeting. She grinned at him as she dropped her bag by the front door and toed off her shoes.

Heart pounding for who the hell knew what reason, Nate went to her and pulled her into his arms. He buried his face in her loose, damp hair and inhaled the floral scent of her shampoo. And just held her.

She made a startled sound, then relaxed into him and wrapped her arms around his chest. She felt warm and solid and right in his arms. This was the first time he’d really touched her, more than brief contact, in almost two weeks. Since that night—that night—in the kitchen. She’d been at camp and games until yesterday. But this time they’d talked every day. Some days by text, most by phone. Even a few video calls.

Still, nothing compared to how she felt in his arms. A feeling he couldn’t describe, a lightness in his spirit that he didn’t want to think too much about. He just wanted to enjoy it.

Erika ran her hand up and down his back, pulling away slightly. He didn’t want to, but he let her go. Desperate man that he was, he laced their fingers together and led her to the stools at the kitchen island.

“You OK?” she asked. “You seem like… I don’t know. On edge.” Her voice was cautious.

He pulled out her chair, then moved to his own as she settled in.

“This smells amazing, by the way. Thanks, again, for making dinner.” She gave him a hesitant smile, but her eyes still held a question.

Amazing how in four short months, he’d already come to know her subtle facial expressions. Then again, he’d gotten the double major in psychology so he would be better at reading people.

Still, he read Erika better than anyone he’d ever met. And that included Oma and Zach. Or Maggie and David. Somehow, Erika had worked her way up to being the person he understood better than anyone else.

Except for one thing.

“My pleasure,” he said in response to her thanks. “I used a lot of ginger, like I know you like.”

She made a pleased noise and took a bite. Her noise got more pleased, like she was experiencing deep pleasure. Much like she had that night against the ref—

“So yeah, I do need to talk to you about something.” He cleared his throat. How to approach it?

Erika put her fork down and turned to him, frowning.

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