Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,16

am kind of a boring doctor.”

We both laugh, nervous tinkling filling the air between us.

“But, I thought that tonight, I could show you that I can relax and have fun, too.”

My smile is shy. “That sounds good. Should we go?”

He hesitates. “Does Hattie expect me to come in first? Wouldn’t want to have your grandmother disapprove of me on the first date.”

I roll my eyes. “She said that if you brought her flowers, she’d bash you over the head with them. Told me you were way too good of a catch, and don’t screw anything up.”

Keaton laughs, and I watch as his biceps, torso, and thighs tense with the motion. It’s … sexy.

And again, I’m reminded of how this man is one giant oxymoron.

“Glad to know she’s on my side. Let me get your door.”

He walks me to the passenger side and helps me in like a true gentleman. Of all the dates I’ve been on, this one is off to the best start. Which is sad that it’s taken me twenty-seven years to be treated well.

But, I’m hoping, that tonight will change my outlook on a lot of things.

“So, should we get the basics out of the way?” Keaton hands the menus to our waiter and smiles at me.

The man wastes no time, which is oddly refreshing.

A candle flickers between us, and I have a feeling this is the nicest restaurant in Fawn Hill. It’s clean and smartly decorated, like an old Italian joint with exposed brick and red checkered tablecloths … but this kind of place wouldn’t even make rent in New York City. That was the first snobbish thought that had gone through my head when we walked in. My second was to wonder why he’d brought us somewhere that so many people knew him. Practically every table had waved or greeted Keaton when we walked in, and the owner slash maître d’ had hugged him.

“Sure.” I nod. “Ask away.”

“Well, first, I want you to know something about me. Because I saw your face when we walked in. Sure, I could have taken you to Lancaster, or somewhere farther away where the restaurants are more upscale and we’d be away from the prying eye of nosy townspeople. But … I want you to really know who I am. Fawn Hill has been my home forever, and I love it here. I’ve never resented my small-town roots, and my dream was always to take over my father’s practice. I enjoy knowing every single person sitting in this restaurant, the intimacy and routine are comfortable to me. Plus, this place has the best chicken parm you’ll ever taste, so don’t judge the food by the checkered tablecloths.” Keaton winks at me. “What I’m trying to say is … I may not be your usual speed. I know that I’m a ‘nice’ animal doctor who settled in his hometown. But, I’m glad you gave me a chance.”

Wow. And that right there is the reason I said yes to this date. Keaton Nash swung between nervous and bumbling, to sure and confident and then back again within days. I never knew what side of him I was going to get. And while his description of his preference of life didn’t really match my own, and honestly made me a bit jumpy, I could respect his forwardness.

“I didn’t have a face.” I can’t help the smirk that pulls at my lips.

“You definitely had a smirk. But it’s okay, you haven’t had the calamari, yet.”

“I’ll trust your judgment, for now.” I raise my eyebrow. “But … thank you for being honest. It’s refreshing. And I don’t find it one bit boring. Truthfully, I’m a little jealous of you. You seem like you’ve always known what you wanted to do, whereas I am an untethered boat washing further and further out into sea.”

“Oh, come on, there must be something you’re passionate about.”

Yoga is the first thing that comes to mind, but I don’t tell Keaton. Telling people that you’re passionate about exercise and controlling emotions through the form of physical exertion … well, they just toss it aside as a hobby. If you’re passionate about anything creative, someone is going to roll their eyes or doubt you.

“Hmm, I’m just not sure. I’m not one of those people who had the blueprint of their life mapped out in their head since they entered high school.”

“Well, it’s a good thing opposites attract.” Keaton chuckles as a steaming bowl of balsamic calamari is set down between us.