Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Noah

I held my breath. For what seemed like an eternity, I hoped she would take my hand.

Finally, Ella let out a light sigh and threaded her fingers through mine. "If I dance with you, will you quit making me feel weird whenever you're around?"

"Oh, so it's my fault that you're attracted to me?" I asked, gently pulling her into a two-step.

We had been dancing our whole lives, minus the past eight years. She moved with me, and even when I spun her out and then back, she took it in stride. The way we danced together reflected the way I felt about her. It was easy and smooth and awesome, like muscle memory.

Her eyes widened. "Yes, I blame you. I've seen the way you look at me."

She didn't deny the attraction. That was a good sign. "And how is that?" I took her into a two step and did another little spin for her.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. Her hand rested on my shoulder, though she was looking away from me.

We danced for a minute, and I relished having her in my arms again. Even though she was in her scrubs and her hair was falling out of her ponytail, she was beautiful. I could even smell her strawberry shampoo. I wondered if it was the same kind she'd used when we were younger. I wouldn't ask her about it; that would make me sound like a stalker.

"What are you doing here tonight?" she asked me, breaking the silence between us.

I acted offended. "I can't come to the fair?"

Gently, she pushed me. She'd always done when she didn't like my teasing. "You know what I mean. What have you been doing today?"

I liked that she was asking about me. If she was thinking about me half as much as I'd been thinking about her, I'd be a happy man. "McCrae talked me into it. I was at my parents' house, doing some gardening. He made me come."

"I'm glad you are reconnecting with your family."

"My mom and dad say the same thing."

"Your parents are smart people," she said. "Always have been."

Warmth filled my chest, and I pulled her a bit closer. "True. What have you been doing all day? Working?"

She nodded. "It wasn't too busy today."

I liked the small hospital. Or maybe I just liked the fact that she worked there. "I always thought you'd become a doctor."

"I married a doctor." Her brow furrowed.

For some reason, her words were like a knife to my chest. "I know."

"I thought marrying a doctor meant we couldn't both be doctors. He told me he was almost done and the hospital he was working for would pay off his loans. He didn't want to add more debt if I went to medical school. I don't know why I agreed and became a nurse, but I do like it."

A murderous anger came over me. I didn't know all the details about her ex-husband, but he sounded like scum.

"I didn't mean to talk about him," she mumbled.

My eyes bored into hers. "You were married to him. He was a part of your life."

She was quiet for a second, and then she asked, "Did you have anyone?"

"I dated. I had two serious girlfriends. Each of them lasted about eighteen months. It just didn't work out." There was no way I would tell her the truth. My last girlfriend had stated it perfectly: I could never get over the past.

A new song started, and Ella shook her head as if waking up. "I don't know what I'm doing. I should get home." She pulled back.

"Wait." I took her hand and spun her again. I wasn't ready to be done. "Last one. Then I'll let you go."

She hesitated and then gave in. "You were always so determined."

"Tell me about that little girl of Mercy's. She's cute."

"Yes. Megan is the cutest little girl. I like her a lot."

I quirked a smile. "I like her too."

"You just like her because she thought I should dance with you."

I shrugged. "She has good taste."

Ella laughed, and the sound was music to my ears.

More and more, I wanted this woman in my arms. I didn't know when it had happened. Maybe when I'd first seen her. Maybe at the hospital. Maybe the other night when I'd held her during the confrontation with Clint.

She smiled. "You look deep in thought. Thinking about your ex girlfriends?"

"Are you jealous?"

"You wish."

I grinned, but it quickly faded. "Ella, can you forgive me? Could we start over?" I hadn't been expecting to blurt that out, but it was what I felt. The chemistry and tension between us had returned, even stronger than it had been when we were younger.

She stopped dancing, giving me the same look I'd seen when I'd first gotten back. "I told you I can't. Just like I can't forgive myself." She pulled her hand back and turned away. "Thanks for the dance."