Page 83 of Finding Storm

“Looks like it’s just you and me, Stevie,” Gran says after Dad’s left the room.

“Like always.” I give a jokey eye roll.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to help?” Nick says again. “It’s really no biggie.”

“Dead body,” Gran reiterates, getting to her feet, and Nick chuckles.

I love the sound of his laughter. It does crazy things to my insides.

“Okay, well, I’m just gonna head outside for some fresh air.” Nick pushes his chair back, getting to his feet.

I stand too, taking my plate with me. “That’s code for, you’re going to have a cigarette?”

He grins. “Am I that obvious?”

“Nah, I’m just that smart.” I smirk. “You know … unless you snuck a cigarette in when I wasn’t looking, you haven’t smoked since I picked you up from the side of the road this afternoon.”

“Yeah. And I’m about to die if I don’t have one soon.”

“Smoking kills,” I remind him, grinning.

He shakes his head, laughing. “I won’t be long.”

I watch him go out through the door, and I help Gran collect up the rest of the plates and take them into the kitchen.

I’m just wiping down the countertops, and Gran is drying off the big pans that won’t fit in the dishwasher when Nick appears in the doorway, closest to me.

I get a faint whiff of cigarette smoke and mint from him.

And the smell weirdly doesn’t repulse me like it normally does.

It just makes me think of him.

Huh. Interesting.

I wonder if I’ll always associate the smell with him now.

He smiles when his eyes meet mine. “I just thought I’d let you know, I’m gonna head to bed.” He stifles a yawn with his hand at his mouth. “It’s been a hell of a long day.”

Nick. Bed.

I wonder if he bought any pajamas from the store today or if he actually does sleep naked like he said earlier.

Sweet Lawd.

“Good night, Nick,” Gran calls to him. “See you in the morning. Breakfast is between eight and nine.”

“Eight and nine. Got it. Night, Stella.” His eyes come to rest on me again. “So, I’ll see you at breakfast then?” It’s a definite question.

And it makes butterflies storm into my stomach.

I nod, holding his stare. “I’ll be here.”

His smile reaches all the way up to his eyes. “Great. Okay. So, I’ll see you then. Sleep well, Stevie.”

“You too.”

He gives me one last smile before disappearing back through the door.