Free I Promise You This (Love in Provence Book 3) by Patricia Sands Page A

today.”
    Kat laughed and acknowledged inwardly she really didn’t want the day to end. “It’s been an incredible day, Nick! Truly! I would love to have dinner with you. Why don’t we compromise and go as we are so we can make it another early night. Feel like seafood?”
    “Too right! Good plan!”
    “Since we’re in this end of the city, let me show you the Distillery District. It’s a dynamic new area in the restored, red-brick Victorian-era buildings of the historical Gooderham and Worts whiskey distillery. This restaurant was one of my favorites. I hope it is still as good.”
    As they drove over, Kat gave the update from Roslyn’s last message. “She said Molly is stable and the process is continuing . . . and they are removing the feeding tube tomorrow.”
    “Beauty! We’ll toast to that!”
    And so they did, with a perfectly chilled sauvignon blanc, before they shared an enormous seafood platter. Laughing, they simultaneously declared, “What a feast!” when it was placed before them on the table.
    They lingered over the generous servings of mussels, scallops, shrimp, crab, and lobster before their cappuccino and espresso were served. There was no shortage of conversation, as Nick asked Kat about her adjustment to life in France and told her about his most recent adventures.
    “The last time you and I shared a meal like this, we were in Saint-Tropez,” Nick reminded Kat, his voice suddenly quiet and serious. She felt her face flush as the memory of that weekend returned. She looked away awkwardly.
    Nick took her hand. His touch was gentle but his gaze was strong and deep into her eyes. “Kat, please don’t take this the wrong way. You know how much I like Philippe. He’s a great bloke. And I know the two of you have something special going. But I need to say this . . .”
    He paused, his eyes filling with such emotion that Katherine felt almost fearful. “Ever since that night on the boat in Saint-Tropez . . . bloody pissed as I was . . . and I’m so sorry about that . . . I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”
    Katherine felt her face burn with embarrassment, even as Nick made her laugh. With his inimitable humor, he reminded her of their dinner and all that followed at La Voile Rouge. “You said you had never seen so much champagne. We danced up a storm, didn’t we—put those youngsters to shame!”
    Kat’s cheeks raged brighter, remembering her musings earlier that day. She recalled that night through a bit of a fog, but at the same time in vivid detail. It had been another turning point for her. Never had she dreamed of feeling so alive and sensual, at her age, as Nick had made her feel that night. He had made love to her like no one ever before. And then passed out.
    With a wide grin, Nick went on, “Every time I hear ‘You Sexy Thing,’ I see the two of us boogying like there was no tomorrow. They wouldn’t stop playing it, remember? I’ll never forget it.”
    Then he sang, in a wacky falsetto with the most devilish look on his face. “I believe in miracles . . . where you from . . . you sexy thang . . .”
    Kat laughed in spite of herself.
    “Did you hear that the town shut down the club?” he told her. “Too many noise violations—we got there just in time!”
    His amusement ebbed, and his change of tone now left no question of the depth of his feelings. Kat could not believe her ears.
    “I’m in love with you, Kat. I need you to know this.”
    Flustered, Kat looked down and fidgeted with her napkin before she began to stutter a response. “Nick . . . I . . .”
    Nick held up a hand to still her. “Wait, let me finish.” His voice was warm, thick with feelings. “I think you’re a fantastic woman and if there is any chance for me to win your heart, I want to do that. You’ve no idea how much I thought about you last year when I was waiting out that ridiculous Interpol issue. I looked at pictures of us in Saint-Trop . . . and other