Charmed (Contemporary Romance) by Inés Saint Page B

laugh. Nick looked over at her, his eyes bright, his smile genuine.
    The light turned green, and Jamie swept her hair out of her face. She continued to sing along with them as the car zipped down Old Meadow Road. The tight coil in her chest was slowly unwinding.
    They passed her house, and Nick turned around to get a better look. “What are those pieces of wood in the backyard?”
    “The swing set our darn Uncle Justin won’t find time to put together,” Timmy answered.
    “Timmy, you know better than to repeat that.”
    A minute later they were about to turn into Nick’s driveway, but something didn’t feel right. It seemed ridiculous to leave Nick stranded in his home without a car. Anyone else would undoubtedly see him through his predicament. “If you want, we can take you to buy a new battery. The store’s only a few minutes away, and your car is less than ten minutes away.”
    Nick looked over at her, surprised. The idea that he’d again think she was coming onto him popped into her head, but she pushed it away, feeling certain her offer was just the natural thing to do.
    Nevertheless, she caught herself biting the inside of her cheek. Nick responded with an, “Uh, yes. If you’re sure you don’t mind. I’d really appreciate it.”
    “Can you leave me at Grandma and Grandpa’s?” Michael requested. “I’m tired. I don’t want to go to a store.”
    Jamie glanced back through the rear-view mirror at a pouting Michael. “Me too.” Timmy yawned.
    Okay, she hadn’t expected this. She didn’t want to be left alone with Nick. “Your parents’ house is on the way. Will they mind?” Nick asked.
    Jamie smiled at that, allowing her to relieve some of her anxiety. Her parents were constantly badgering her to leave the kids with them more often so she could go get a social life.
    When they pulled up to her parents’ house, her mother was outside, and the kids ran into her arms. Jamie asked if she could watch the kids, explaining Nick’s predicament.
    “Yes, this is great!” Isabella clapped her hands together. She must’ve realized she was being way too enthusiastic because she added, “I mean, I’ll have the kids all to myself — your father won’t be home till five.” She then hugged Nick, and inquired after Emma and the school. It was obvious to Jamie that her mother was excited because she was talking fast, her New York accent was creeping in, and she was gesturing a lot.
    Somehow, they’d ended up at the kitchen table having a snack with the kids and her mom, even though they’d both refused, twice. It was twenty minutes before they were able to get away.
    After Isabella’s high-energy, non-stop chattering, the ride to Brooks Hardware Emporium was relatively quiet.
    “So, who else do you listen to, besides The Stones?” Nick asked.
    “Let’s see.” She clicked her tongue. “I like Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, B.B. King … and probably too many to name.”
    “Well, Mrs. Sullivan, I’m impressed.”
    “What’s on your playlist, Dr. Grey?”
    Nick shifted in his seat to get the iPod he’d grabbed from his car out of his pocket. His head tilted toward her, and she caught the scent of his shampoo. It was very masculine, and it had an immediate effect on her breathing.
    He went through his playlist while Jamie nodded her approval. He seemed to be into folk rock and classic rock and … “Elton John?”
    “What’s wrong with Elton John?”
    “Nothing! I like Sir Elton, it’s just — you don’t seem like the Elton John-type.”
    “Really? What type am I, then?”
    “I don’t know, you have a doctorate — aren’t you supposed to listen to classical music and opera while you look down your nose at popular culture? But then, you’re also a savage hockey brute, so maybe some hard core, very angry heavy metal?”
    Nick laughed. “Let’s just say I like all kinds of music, as long as it makes me feel something.”
    They stopped at a red light. “Me too.