Chapter 116

• Lalaine was very understanding, insisting that Nick go on his trip and get his work done, but he knew it was all a façade, one that she put up because she knew it was something he had to do. Still, the way she covered the heartbreaking crack in her voice with perkiness that sounded more like Polly was a dead giveaway, proof that the hardship of their separation was affecting her the same way it was affecting him. It was torture. Pure, unadulterated torture. But the anticipation of how great it was going to be when they finally did get to be together again was enough to keep them both going.
• He had tried to busy himself with work to take his mind off the fact that she wasn't there, but that hadn't been successful, either. Admittedly, he was a bit snippy with his employees, Mason, Polly, and Samuel included. Polly snapped right back at him, which really wasn't a very good idea, but he respected her for it. She wasn't one to put up with his behavior when she knew it was uncalled for. He granted her a reprieve because he knew she missed Lalaine almost as much as he did. Her friend was gone, and she didn't have many. Being an annoying pissant sort of limited the number of people who were willing to put up with her. Plus, he had sort of forced Mason to go along with him on his business trip. She really hated him for that, but she had gotten over it. At least, he hoped she had.
• Two more days. Two more excruciating, miserable days until the weekend, when he would get to see her again. Hold her in his arms, taste her luscious lips, feel her soft skin. It would be enough to get him through at least a few hours. Yeah, he was an optimistic guy.