Skipping heart

Vanya walked into the kitchen, her eyes still brimming with tears from their earlier conversation. Despite her sadness, she began to cook, her hands moving automatically as she prepared Nolan's favorite dishes.

Nolan watched her from his wheelchair, his expression unreadable. He was still feeling a bit raw from their earlier argument, but as he watched Vanya cook, he couldn't help but feel a pang of affection for her.

As Vanya cooked, the kitchen filled with the delicious aromas of sizzling vegetables, savory meats, and steaming rice. Nolan's stomach growled in anticipation, and he felt a sense of gratitude towards Vanya for taking care of him.

When Vanya finally finished cooking, she turned to leave, but Nolan was quick to react. He placed his leg in her path, making her trip, and then used his arms to swoop her into a gentle embrace.

Vanya gasped in surprise, but as she looked into Nolan's eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a look of tenderness, of affection, and of something more.

Nolan's nose brushed against Vanya's, and he pecked her hair gently, his lips barely touching her skin. The Eskimo kiss sent shivers down Vanya's spine, and she felt herself melting into Nolan's arms.

For a moment, they just stayed there, their faces inches apart, their hearts beating as one. It was a moment of pure intimacy, of connection, and of something more.

But as they pulled back, Nolan's expression changed, and he smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that," he said, his voice low and gentle. "I think I got a bit carried away."

Vanya looked at him, confused, and Nolan continued. "The lipstick on my collar, it's from a childhood friend who visited me last night. She was so excited to see me that she gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek."

Vanya's expression changed from confusion to surprise, and she looked at Nolan with newfound curiosity. "A childhood friend?" she repeated, her voice soft.

Nolan nodded, smiling. "Yes, her name is Sharon. We grew up together, and she's always been like a sister to me."

Vanya's eyes sparkled with interest, and she leaned in closer to Nolan. "I'd love to meet her," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

Nolan grinned, happy to oblige. "I'll arrange for you to meet her soon," he promised. "I think you two will get along great."

As they pulled back, Vanya smiled at Nolan, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was glad that the tension between them had been broken, and she was excited to meet Sharon and learn more about Nolan's past.

But as she turned to leave, Nolan's voice stopped her. "Vanya?"

She turned back to him, her eyes questioning. "Yes?"

Nolan's expression was serious, his eyes piercing. "I know I've been a bit...distant lately," he said, his voice low. "But I want you to know that I appreciate you. You're a good person, Vanya, and I'm lucky to have you in my life."

Vanya's heart skipped a beat as she looked into Nolan's eyes. She saw something there that she hadn't seen before, something that looked almost like...affection.

"Thank you, Nolan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nolan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Vanya," he said. "Now, how about we eat some of that delicious food you cooked?"

Vanya laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up for her and Nolan.

As they sat down to eat, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe Nolan was starting to warm up to her, maybe he was starting to see her in a different light.

But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a look of tenderness, of affection, and of something more.

And Vanya couldn't help but wonder, what did it mean?

As Nolan wheeled himself into the living room, he received a call from the doctor. He answered it, and the doctor informed him that he had arrived and was waiting for him.

"Ah, great. I'll be right there," Nolan said, his voice calm and collected.

Vanya, who had been watching from a distance, saw the doctor enter and greeted him with a nod. "Hi, Doctor. Please, come in."

The doctor smiled and returned the greeting. "Thank you, Vanya. It's nice to see you again."

Vanya smiled back, feeling a bit awkward. She didn't know the doctor very well, and she wasn't sure what to expect from the visit.

As the doctor followed Nolan into the study, Vanya quickly hid behind the door, determined to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Inside the study, Nolan wheeled himself behind his desk and gestured for the doctor to take a seat. "Thank you for coming, Doctor. I appreciate your time."

The doctor nodded, his expression serious. "Of course, Nolan. I'm here to help. What seems to be the problem?"

Nolan leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I've been experiencing some...issues with my leg. I was hoping you could take a look and give me some advice."

The doctor nodded, his eyes lighting up with interest. "I'd be happy to take a look. Can you tell me more about what's been going on?"

As the doctor and Nolan began to discuss his condition, Vanya held her breath, her ears straining to hear every word of the conversation. She was determined to learn what was going on, even if it meant hiding behind the door.

But as she listened, Vanya couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping, but she just couldn't help herself. She was worried about Nolan, and she wanted to know what was going on.