ALLISON

I couldn't help but admire the woman standing in front of Nick. Her coat was a luxurious cashmere blend, and her silk blouse probably cost more than my whole wardrobe. She wore bright red lipstick and styled her hair in an intricate updo.

I felt a little inadequate in my simple jeans and t-shirt despite how cute they were. I bet she always wears matching lingerie too. You can tell she isn't lacking in her bank account.

Is that something Nick cares about? Money? I never saw Nick as someone who'd be so shallow to care about someone with money. Maybe if I had agreed to go with Nick to the get-together after work he wouldn't be here with her.

And now I sound pathetic, I think. Ugh

He catches me staring and I quickly turn away, embarrassed to think he may have noticed me looking at him. Maybe he didn't recognize me. Taking another swift glance, there's no doubt he knows it was me—he shoots me a steely glare.

All I can do is offer a small, apologetic smile back and his face softens into one too.

I watch as the woman next to him turns her head to see what captured Nick's attention. Her expression isn't pleased. What was going on between them? Did Nick have feelings for me, or was it all just a figment of my imagination? The air around us felt so thick.

I release a long, weary sigh. How could I have been so stupid, letting my feelings for Nick overshadow my better sense? Clearly someone as hot as him would not be single. I had let the attraction I had for him make me forget that he was likely already taken.

It doesn't help that I keep having dreams about Nick. How can I stop the fantasies that keep flashing through my mind, of him whispering in my ear, kissing me, caressing my body... my vagina quivers with need every night.

Oh God. My body felt alive with desire around him, yet here I was. Watching him talking with someone else.

Lucy whizzes by me, the green scarf around her neck billowing in the wind. She has a carefree expression on her face; it makes me smile in spite of my sore bottom.

I spot Nick out of the corner of my eye and quickly look away, embarrassed—he must think I'm stalking him!

"Hey Allie Cat, come do twirls with me!" Lucy says from as she skates around me on the rink . How can I refuse that enthusiastic grin? Soreness be damned; If my girl want's me to do twirls with her I am going to try.

I am determined not to embarrass myself and fall over while Nick watches, so that's added pressure.

Gradually, my confidence begins to grow with each very slow spin, but Lucy is still skating circles around me. It looks like all those classes she's taken have really paid off!

"I think I got it!" I call out to her. Quickly building up speed, I try another one faster this time—big mistake.

My legs wobble and the ice takes control. I try to regain my balance. Too late, my eyes widen as a couple holding hands enteres my path.

Thud

The sound of the thud is loud and reverberates across the ice. It is a sharp, echoing sound of bodies colliding against each other and the hard surface of the ice. We all end up tumbling hard onto the ice.

The only sound I can pick up after that is Lucy's fearful shrieking.

I struggle to get up, frantically searching for her amid the crowd that has assembled around us. Panic starts to sink in when I suddenly spot Nick pushing through the crowd sliding on his shoes toward me with Lucy trailing behind him.

"Aunty Allie" she cries out in relief.

Nick's strong arms encircle me, lifting me effortlessly before I can utter a single word.

"Lucy, follow me," his directive carries a sense of urgency, drawing my attention to his interaction with my sweet girl. I strain within his embrace, desperate for even a fleeting glimpse of her, an urgent need to confirm her safety.

Nick carefully walks across the ice, attempting to gracefully slide with his shoes along it's surface. I can't believe he just ran out here like that puttnig himself at risk.

Safely settled onto a near by bench, Nick's voice, tinged with both concern and a husky undertone, commands, "Stay put. Let me take a look at you."

Not how I saw this going the first time I heard that.

Where did Lucy go? She was just right beside us.

Anxiety grips my heart " Lucy?" My own well-being fades to a distant concern, overshadowed by my relentless focus on ensuring her safety. My frantic need to lay eyes on her overrides any consideration for myself.

"I'm right here, Auntie Allie," Lucy's trembling voice breaks through, her sniffles revealing the remnants of tears.

She timidly emerges from behind Nick where she was hiding, her hands covering half of her mouth—an old habit surfacing in moments of nervousness or fear, a remnant from her childhood.

"Are you okay?" I need to know

"Yes," she manages to squeak out, her voice shaky and barely audible. This is certainly not how I envisioned our night unfolding.

Nick glances past me. "Why don't you go and get Lucy some hot cocoa?" he suggests, his voice gentle and soothing. "You do like hot cocoa, right?" he asks Lucy, his demeanor warm and caring. She nods in response.

As I turn my head, I catch sight of the woman who was with Nick walking away, heading in the direction to fetch Lucy's drink, dutifully following Nick's instructions.

Bossy. I like it. The way he takes command and knows exactly what he wants sets my soul on fire. Not the time for these thoughts, Allie.

"Does it hurt here?" Nick's gentle inquiry comes as his fingers lightly touch my legs. Bringing me back to focus on him. He glides his large manly hands down my leg, gentle and never leaving an inch overlooked as he checks me out for injuries.

"No," I answer, struggling to keep my composure in this trying situation.

My pulse is racing, and it takes me several deep breaths to steady myself. Not because of the fall, but because of his hands. Those amazing hands being on me is stirring something inside me that I'm not sure how to handle. I need him to stop before I lose control right here and now.

"And here?" His touch shifts to my right arm.

"No, Nick. I assure you, I'm fine. I just need a moment to gather myself," I assert, reaching out to Lucy, offering her my hand for comfort.

"You might have a concussion. You need to stay still," he insists urgently, cupping my face in his hands. His intense gaze feels like it could melt the ice next to us. The warmth in his eyes as he looks at me sends a wave of heat through me, despite the dire situation.

"You need to get to a hospital and get yourself checked out. That was quite the fall," Nick states, his face betraying worry. I can't help but grin at his adorableness. His eyebrows are pinched together in concern and a faint look of puppy eyes completely melts my heart.

I impulsively lift my arm to try to calm him down, brushing away the wrinkles on his forehead. He didn't flinch or back away from me. The sudden realization that I had crossed a line caused me to quickly withdraw my hand—after all, he is my employee.

"I'm okay. I promise," I reassure, my eyes scanning the aftermath of my unfortunate tumble. The couple affected by my fall are already back on their skates, seamlessly blending into the crowd. Seasoned skaters, no doubt, if they recovered so swiftly.

"You're going to the hospital. It's not negotiable," Nick declares, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lucy's crying starts out as a whimper again, like a tiny squeak, and then quickly escalates into a wail. Her cries are heartbreakingly loud and desperate, echoing throughout the air. Her fear cut through the air like a sharp knife, tugging at my heartstrings with each sob.

Just the mention of a hospital has her scared again.

Nick pivots, his attention fixated on her. He kneels down, positioning himself at her eye level. "Hey, Lucy. I'm Nick. I've heard a lot about you. Your aunt is so proud of you. Do you know that?"

Lucy's sobbing starts to quiet, her fingers partially in her mouth from nervousness. She sniffles and wipes away the tears streaming down her flushed cheeks while looking into his eyes.

His gaze is filled with sincerity as he said, "You have a pretty incredible aunt."

My heart fills with a combination of surprise and delight as I watch Lucy open up easily to him. It's not common behavior for her; she's usually reserved when meeting new people, taking time to gauge them before saying a single word.

"Let me help you get your skates off. Where are your shoes?" Nick ask her

"Right there" Lucy points to the bag next to me as I am already handing it to her. I smile with appreciation. I mouth a simple thank you to him.

"I hear you attend Highland Prep," Nick continues, engaging Lucy trying to distract her from it all. "I happen to know some people there." he tells her as he unlaces her skates.

His words catch me completely off guard. People at Highland Prep? Why hadn't he mentioned that before?

"That's cool. Do you know Mrs. Hayes?" Lucy questions. "She used to be really mean, but today she was really nice. It was kind of weird," Lucy laughs, her tears drying up as the conversation shifts to a lighter note.

"No, I don't know Mrs. Hayes. But I'm glad she's treating you well now," Nick responds warmly to Lucy.

My heart swells as I watch Nick and her interact. His gentle words of kindness, his genuine affection for her, and the butterfly-inducing way he smiles at her, all make him seem even more attractive than before.

I can't look away. My admiration for him only grows with each passing second.

A woman's voice interrupts our interaction. She struts toward us, her coat as red as a rose in bloom, handing Lucy a steaming cup of cocoa.

"Hey, Nick?" she says, glancing at him. "I need to get going." Her gaze flits between Nick and me before settling back on Nick. "I'll call you later." And then she vanishes, leaving nothing but questions and curious glances I give Nick.

Seizing the moment to find out who she is, I venture, "Sorry if I interrupted your...date?" Curiosity gnaws at me, pushing me to ask.

"Who, Cara?" He questions me with a raised eyebrow, shaking his head and letting out a small laugh. "No worries, you didn't disrupt anything," he reassures, still crouching in front of me and Lucy.

His words offer some comfort, yet I can't shake off thoughts about the mysterious woman who abruptly left and her connection with Nick.

"Stay right here. I am going to go pull my car around" Nick pulls his keys out of his pocket.

"I really don't need to go to the hospital, Nick. I'm fine," I plead earnestly.

"Once again...I didn't ask. You're going. There's a possibility you hit your head. You really need to get checked out just to be sure," he insists firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

It's oddly attractive, this assertive side of him. I'm not accustomed to being taken care of this way.

"The only thing hurting right now is my pride," I admit with a sigh.

"Auntie Allie, maybe Nick's right," Lucy chimes in, aligning herself next to Nick, their united front making it harder to protest.

"Seriously, you too?" I tease, playfully tickling her tummy.

Lucy and I wait as Nick pulls his car to the curb nearest to us. As soon as he get's out of the car he comes jogging toward me.

"Let me help you" Nick says, as he firmly grasps my hand, hoisting me to my feet, and we stride to the car, Lucy following closely behind.

An uncomfortable silence envelops us as we drive to the hospital. I catch a glimpse of Nick's face from the corner of my eye, his brow furrowed in worry.

Shame churns in my chest as I recall my embarrassing display earlier and how I may have ruined Nick's night.

"I'm truly sorry for ruining your night," I offer apologetically once more.

He slightly swivels and looks me in the eye. "You didn't do anything wrong. Try to take it easy," he says, unaware of my increasing nervousness at being so close to the hospital.

I try to keep myself distracted by continuing our conversation.

"I really regret that your friend had to leave because of me," I say guiltily.

He waves me off "I would much rather spend the rest of my evening taking care of you"

Wait, what the hell does that mean?