She checked the clock. It was nearly eight. She needed to get showered and dressed. She planned to meet Suzy for breakfast in an hour. By the time she got to the kitchen, Nick stood in the doorway with a coffee mug, staring outside at the lake, fully dressed in his police blues. She so wished that he would call in sick, and she could cancel with Suzy. They could spend the day talking. There was so much between them that needed to be said. When he heard her, he came to her, took her into his arms, and kissed her. It was a comfort that he didn’t regret their lovemaking. She didn’t think she could handle being rejected by him twice in her lifetime. “Do you have to leave soon?” she asked. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to, but I have to.” He went to the stove and prepared her a cup of coffee. “I think we should start planning our wedding. We could be married at Christmas.” She was taken aback.
