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Nellie closed out her texts, rolling her eyes Well, now he’d wait until she felt good and ready to call him That could be never The jerk!

Sa around and up at the palm trees that surrounded the patio He then turned and studied the building adjacent to his hotel "Everything okay?" she asked

He turned back to her with an instant smile "Fine," he waved his phone at her "Work Always so" He put his phone down on the patio table and reached out his hand "C’ else about this roo back at the patio door, Nellie hesitated to take his hand She could only hope he wasn’t taking her agreement to come back to his room with him to ht be thinking because he motioned out toward the ay that led around the pal he had picked up on what had crossed hersilly but very relieved, she s the small ay around the trees, and then they were on the sand It was a wide open beach area but still very vacant

"This beach is exclusive to the hotel And my room is literally steps away from it I’ve stayed at lot of rooms all over the country, but this is by far ht eyes nearly twinkled "It’s a little pricey but worth every penny, I think"

"Yes," Nellie had to agree "It’s beautiful"

She was caught in his eyes for a ently to him

"Nellie, I know I told you this earlier this week on the phone, and I didn’t miss how quiet itwe’ve only known each other for a feeeks But ever since that day I spent with you, I really haven’t been able to stop thinking about you I know you said you’re still working on getting over your divorce, and I respect that It tooka little pushy, would you please just give so between you and me some consideration?" He held up his hand "Whenever you’re ready, that is I’ll be patient I just wanna put it out there so that we’re clear that it’s what I’ for here"

If she hadn’t been so caught up checking the photos of Abel and Rachel the day of their brunch, it ht’ve been a very pleasant date Sam was actually very sweet, attentive, and she’d since established very good-looking And ever since their brunch, not a day had gone by that he hadn’t called or texted her They’d even had a couple nights where they’d chatted online late into the night

This past week, she’d coht--as usual She wasn’t the fk-buddy type She’d fallen for Abel so fast and so hard that she’d like to say that was the only reason why the arrangement that they had hadn’t worked out But she was certain now she’d never be okay dating so someone else It was a constant reh for any man For that reason, she was hesitant to becouy who did so enuinely as he was looking at her now, Abel was a perfect example of how a man could make you feel so very special as if you were the only one he ever looked at that hen in fact

"I’ve been burned really badly, Sa this so soon with hiht be a while before I’m ready to open upthe lump in her throat "Trust," she whispered

His hand caressed her cheek, and she fought the urge to pull away Instead she leaned her face against his hand, closing her eyes He leaned forward and kissed her forehead then lowered his hand, lifting her chin There was nothe alarm in his eyes when he saw the tears, but it was only for instant Then he hugged her, and she let herself fall into his aret it, okay? And I promise I’ll be patient When you do feel ready, I’ll do everything in ood as his strong arms felt around her and as much as she needed that at thaton how Abelaround "What’s wrong?" she asked

"Nothing," he frowned, still looking around, but began walking back down the pathway "Let’s go sit down"

Her phone was buzzing on the table where she’d left it next to his It was her otten that she had a otta get this" She turned to Saent"

"Go ahead," he said, looking a bit concerned hi upset, and you don’t need to coency room?" she asked already upset "What happened?"

Sam’s hand was instantly on her back when he saw her clutch her chest

"Gus shoved a bean up his nose, but he’s gonna be fine The doctors are working on getting it out Your father and I tried to at home, and e couldn’t, we decided to drive down here"