Stole My Heart 💕

12 - Family Reunion

Candice stirred in her sleep, her body reluctant to leave the warmth of the blankets. The golden morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft patterns on the walls. Blinking groggily, she turned to check the time on her phone and gasped. 8:30 AM! She sat up abruptly, her heart racing as she realized she had overslept.

She hurried out of bed, freshening up as quickly as she could. Her guilt gnawed at her—she had never been one to sleep in so late, but last night had been a whirlwind of emotions. Between the conversations, the thoughts of Nick, and her own restless heart, sleep had been elusive. Now, she was running late, and she felt a pang of embarrassment.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of her room and hesitated at the kitchen entrance. To her surprise, it wasn't Nick's mother at the stove but Nick himself, effortlessly moving around the kitchen with a casual grace that made her heart skip a beat. He was dressed in a simple white t-shirt and grey sweatpants, his hair still slightly tousled from sleep. The sight of him in such a domestic setting, so at ease, made something flutter deep inside her.

Trying to be discreet, Candice peeked inside without making a sound, watching him with quiet admiration. However, before she could take another step, his voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Good morning, baby doll," he greeted smoothly, without even turning around.

She blinked in surprise, her cheeks tinging pink. "Good morning..." she mumbled sheepishly before adding, "Sorry, I slept for so long."

Nick finally turned to face her, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he leaned casually against the counter. "Don't be sorry for everything," he said, his voice laced with tenderness. "You needed the rest because of the medicine."

Candice nodded, still feeling a little self-conscious. "Where's Mom?" she asked, glancing around.

"She went out for a bit. She'll be back soon," Nick replied. Then, holding out a warm mug, he added, "Here's your coffee."

She took it gratefully, their fingers brushing for a fleeting moment. A spark shot through her, making her stomach flip. "Thank you," she murmured, looking down at the coffee to avoid his intense gaze.

Nick grabbed his own cup and motioned towards the balcony. "Come, let's sit outside."

Candice followed him, stepping into the open air. The view was breathtaking—the morning sun bathed everything in golden hues, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh blooms. Birds chirped in the distance, and the sight of the lush greenery stretching beyond the horizon felt soothing.

They settled into their seats, sipping their coffee in comfortable silence. Nick stretched his legs out, tilting his head back slightly as he took a sip, looking utterly relaxed. Candice found herself sneaking glances at him, admiring the way the sunlight caught the sharp angles of his jawline, the way his fingers curled around the mug.

"You're staring," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Her eyes widened, and she looked away hurriedly. "I am not!"

Nick chuckled, setting his cup down. "You totally were."

She pouted. "It's your fault for looking so... different in the morning."

He raised a brow, amused. "Different? How so?"

Candice hesitated before mumbling, "You look... more relaxed."

Nick grinned, leaning in slightly. "So, you prefer me this way?"

She felt her face heat up. "I didn't say that!"

Nick laughed softly, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered near her cheek, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. The tension between them grew thick, the air charged with something unspoken but deeply felt. Candice's breath hitched as his gaze flickered to her lips, and for a split second, she thought he might close the distance between them.