Second Chances by Kimberly McKay Page B

outside.  Nick’s eyes flew back to the window, where he could see Paige slipping into the driver’s seat of her car. He looked at Sam, who nodded, saying, “Go.  I’ll pause the game and wait for you.”
    Nick didn’t waste time anytime.  He set his drink down and rushed to open the front door.
     
    Paige hesitated before starting her engine.  She thought she’d stop in to see Sam when she left Natasha’s but stopped short at the sight of Nick’s truck at the curb.  She wondered if his ears were burning, and hoped they’d not been in Sam’s backyard, where they could have easily overheard them talking.
    For a second, she wondered if he’d even want to talk to her again after the way she blew him off in the parking lot.  She could have stayed to see where things led, but her bruised ego got in the way. Who was she kidding?  She was far from ready for anything along those lines.
    As she buckled her seat belt, she heard a soft tap on the window of her car.  She spun around to see Nick grinning outside her door.  She wanted to be unaffected by his rugged good looks, but couldn’t help but feel like she was instantly transported back to that young girl with the hopeless crush.
    Get it together, Paige.  He’s a grown man now.
    The thought had her reeling. She inhaled a short but deep breath and finally rolled down her window.
    “Hey there.” She smirked, unsure of what to say.
    “It seems I’m standing out in the cold for you a lot.” He joked and tucked his hands into his coat pockets.
    “I know.” She blushed. “Hey, I’m sorry about the other night.  I didn’t mean to be rude.” 
    He loved seeing her cheeks take on color.  Maybe he had an effect on her after all.
    “Don’t worry about it.  I didn’t think a thing about it.  Besides, I shouldn’t have said anything.” Nick leaned in and rested his arms on her door.  “It’s just good to see you after all these years.”
    “Yeah, it’s been a long time.”  Her pulse quickened as he searched her face.
    “You don’t look a day older.” Nick looked down at her full lips and wondered what would have happened in school if he’d had the chance to kiss them.  He may have hesitated when he was in school, but if he had half a chance now – he wanted to take it.
    Paige cocked her head.  If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear he was flirting with her.  Since all she knew was life with Davis, she had no clue how to read Nick. The thought of her marriage brought her back to reality.
    “Well, trust me – I feel a lot older.”  She dropped her eyes to the steering wheel.
    Nick noticed her shift in mood and wondered if he would be able to break through the walls she’d built around herself.  From the few things he’d learned from Sam, he knew Paige hadn’t known true love.  Although he thought he’d had it once with his ex-wife, he now knew what he had with her was a façade.  He was ready for someone to love, who could love wholeheartedly in return – and wanted Paige to feel the same.  If he timed it right – and if she was ready – they could build something beautiful together.
    Testing the waters, he said, “Were you going to come over to see your brother?”
    A look of guilt crossed her face, and she blushed once more.
    “I was, but…”
    “You saw my truck and decided against it?”
    She threw up her hands.  “You caught me.”
    He loved the sound of her laugh and hoped he could provide more of them for her.
    “Does being that close to me scare you?” He teased.
    “Don’t flatter yourself, Granger.”  Paige’s heart skipped a beat.  This playful banter was hitting too close to home.  She actually was afraid of what she felt when he was around, and if he kept smiling at her – she was afraid of what she might do.
    “Why don’t you come in?  We were just going to watch the end of the game.”  He took a step away from the car, hoping she’d stop her engine and open her car door.
    Paige shook