After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 352

Sitting in Nicol’s car, Nettie felt a little awkward. She hadn’t really found the right moment to thank him. After all, when Shirley went after her earlier, it was Nicol who had stepped in and had her back.

“Nicol, thanks for helping me out today,” Nettie said quietly.

He caught her meaning right away, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Don’t mention it.”

Her cheeks warmed. She quickly turned to look out the window, searching for something else to talk about. “At least Catherine did well in court today. I think she’s got this one in the bag.”

“Definitely. There’s no way she’s losing,” Nicol replied, grinning.

Nettie nodded, relieved. “That’s good to hear.”

When they pulled up outside Nettie’s apartment building, Nicol glanced over. “Would it be alright if I came up for a glass of water? I think that food earlier was a bit too salty.”

Nettie froze, then hurried to say, “Oh! I can grab a bottle of water from the convenience store nearby, if you want.”

She reached for the door handle, ready to dash across the street and buy him some water.

But Nicol caught her wrist before she could go. “Come back here.”

She looked at him, puzzled.

He let out a soft sigh, almost laughing. “Do you really think I just want water?”

“Then what do you…?” Nettie trailed off, still not quite catching on.

“I want to come up to your place. The water thing is just an excuse,” he said, finally spelling it out.

Nettie bit her lip, her face growing even warmer. Oh. So that’s what this was.

He looked down at his suit, then shrugged, smiling. “I don’t mind at all.”

Nettie placed the glass of water on the table in front of him, then busied herself straightening things around the apartment. Nicol watched her as he finished his drink.

He remembered the last time they were together, how he’d told her how he felt at the restaurant and she’d gotten so flustered she took off in a cab. He’d been thinking about it ever since, trying to figure out if he messed up somewhere.

He didn’t want to let things stay awkward between them.

“Hey, stop cleaning for a second. Come sit with me. Let’s talk,” Nicol said, his voice gentle.

Nettie hesitated. She wasn’t really cleaning, just avoiding him because she was embarrassed. She remembered how she’d run away after his confession, and honestly, if it wasn’t for Catherine’s court case today, she probably wouldn’t have seen him again so soon.

“I’m almost done, just a second,” she mumbled, pretending to tidy up a stray piece of cat fur. Right then, Nicol stood up and walked over, taking her hand and gently pulling her up to face him.