Chapter 14 - Nico
FOURTEEN
NICO
By the time the cats are all put away, we’ve officially reached the end of our volunteer obligations. And as we walk back to the front desk area, I start to sweat.
Because I’m running out of time to ask Scarlett—her name is Scarlett—on a date.
This is the best opening I could ever hope for. Accidentally running into her, in public, in a setting that has nothing to do with her job or our previous interactions…it’s the best chance I have. Especially now that a dozen animals have softened her.
Especially knowing she trusts me enough to give me her real name.
I can’t believe she gave me her real name.
When we reach the front desk, I’ve reached a state of fuck it. I’m just going to ask her.
But just as I open my mouth, a girl walks through the front door who immediately captures everyone’s attention.
It’s not just the combat boots, all-black clothes, or fishnets showing through ripped pants—it’s the I don’t give a fuck attitude emanating from her. Which triples when she sees me staring, digs her hands into her sweatshirt pockets as she looks me up and down, and snaps, “Can I help you?”
My gaze shoots to the ceiling. “What? No, I’m good.”
I hear a snicker beside me.
The girl trains her attention on the front desk staff, popping a large bubble with her gum. “I’m here to pick up a cat.”
“Uh…okay. Any particular type of cat?”
“The spicy black one that no one wants.”
I let out a snort of laughter that I hide with a cough.
It earns me a death glare.
“Oh!” one of the volunteers exclaims excitedly. “You’re the one who just got approved for Milton. Hold on, let me grab him for you.”
And then she’s bringing out the black kitten that, not fifteen minutes ago, was trying desperately to get away from me.
When it’s handed over to the girl, not only does it not try to escape, but it sits regally in her hands, staring at her for a half-second before finally lying flat against her chest and closing its eyes with a purr.
Then I’m the one sending a glare.
“He’s perfect,” the girl says with the tiniest hint of a smile. “I’m assuming there’s paperwork?”
The cat is still curled up in her arms when we exit the room to leave them to their adoption process.
“I guess some pets really do resemble their owners,” I muse as I hold the door open for Scarlett.
“You’re just mad it didn’t like you,” she says with an adorable giggle.
“You’re damn right I am,” I murmur. “I thought all animals liked me.”
“Maybe it’s just dogs,” she comments as a German shepherd rushes up to us. “Did you only have dogs growing up?”
I nod as I pet the fluffy pup. “Yeah, we were a dog household. We always had one in the house when we were kids, and then once I moved out, I started fostering. I work with their sister organization in Philly.” I send her a hesitant glance.
“That’s why I mentioned it last week. I swear I wasn’t stalking you. ”
Thank God, she sends me a sweet smile. “I know. I was never worried about that.” Then, to herself, she muses, “Maybe I should be.”
“Go out with me.” It escapes me in a rush. Holding it back is basically impossible after that.
Except, the shocked and fearful look she turns to me with makes me wish I’d tried a little bit harder.
“What?”
I swallow and decide to keep going. “Go out with me. Please.”
I try not to be offended by the disbelief on her face. “And…do what?” she asks.
I almost laugh. “Whatever we want. It’s just a date. We could grab some food, or see a movie, or—”
“Just a date?”
Her sudden intensity makes me frown. “Uh, yeah. It’s not like we haven’t done them before, this time would just mean—”
“That you’re not paying me.”
My eyes widen. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
She sighs. “Sorry, but it’s true. That would be the only difference.”
My head is spinning. Technically, that’s true, but—
“I can’t, Nico,” she says simply. But she doesn’t say it like a rejection. She sounds almost…sad.
“Okay,” I say slowly. “Can I ask why? Because if you honestly think I’m just trying to get out of paying you, then I’ve done a piss-poor job of showing you who I am.”
“But that’s just it,” she says. “I don’t know who you are. I mean—” She lets out a humorless laugh. “We’ve seen each other a few times. I have no idea who you are. And you want me to trust you with thousands of dollars? One free date is two thousand dollars, Nico.”
I open my mouth, then close it right away. I never thought of it like that.
She sighs and steps closer. After a moment, she takes one of my hands.
“Look. I like you. I have fun with you every time we’re together.
And yes, in another life, if you asked me out on the street, I’d say yes in a heartbeat.
But that’s just not my reality. I don’t date clients.
” Her thumb brushes over the back of my hand.
“I’m sorry,” she adds in a near-whisper.
Inwardly, I sigh. I can’t even blame her.
I’m not giving up, but I don’t blame her.
“Okay,” I say after a moment. “I understand.”
And then before she can read this as a breakup, I add, “I’ll keep paying.”
Her brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
I wrap my other arm around her waist and pull her closer. “I mean, I still want to date you. I want the kind of date that this would be if we were in another life. But I’ll pay for it. I’ll earn your trust.”
She still looks skeptical. “I don’t understand. If this were a normal date, you’d still be trying to get under my skirt.”
“I know this might sound stupid since we’ve already had sex, but…no, I wouldn’t.”
She doesn’t even try to hide her disbelief.
“I mean it,” I press. “I can guarantee that even if we’d met the normal way, I would’ve been more caught up in the get-to-know-you part than anything else.”
She’s too polite to tell me she doesn’t believe me, but her quirked eyebrow is enough to say what she isn’t.
I try a different approach. “Okay, then how about this? We date. I still pay you. But we don’t have sex.”
Her nose scrunches at that. “Why would we do that?”
Oh, my sweet girl. Who hurt you?
I want so badly to ask her. To get her talking so I can finally understand why she sees the world—and men—the way she does. But she’s clearly not ready for that yet, so for now, I don’t ask.
I brush my thumb over her hand that I’m still holding. “Because I like you,” I say softly. “Because it’s not your body I’m after, but you.”
My knees almost buckle with relief when I see a tentative hope flash across her face. She’s scared and unsure, but it’s the beginning of trust.
“So let’s just…hang out,” I suggest with what I hope is a casual shrug. “No pressure, no masks needed, just two people spending time together who want to get to know each other.”
There’s still a beat of hesitation, but after a moment, she says slowly, “Okay.”
I grin and take a step back, still holding on to her hand. “Great. So…art or music?”
She blinks at me. “I… What?”
Patiently, I ask again. “Do you like art or music more?”
She still doesn’t seem to understand the question. “Whatever you like is fine.”
I have to focus on swallowing my sigh. “Red…” But then something occurs to me, and I turn fully so I can take both of her hands. “Do you know what I’d really like tonight?”
She shakes her head.
“I’d really like to learn what you like. No hidden motives, no catering to my likes.”
“I don’t know if I can do that,” she whispers.
It’s the most honest moment we’ve shared.
I can’t help cupping her face in my hand. I know she’s scared; I can see it in every inch of her. But I’m hoping I can coax her out of her shell anyway.
“I know, baby,” I whisper. “But can you try? If not for me, then do it for yourself. I want you to have fun, too.”
Her throat moves on a rough swallow, none of that fear dimming, but after a moment, she gives me the tiniest nod.
I know the moment my smile brings out my dimple because a huff of laughter leaves her pretty lips.
“Good. Now. Art or music?”
There’s still a little bit of hesitation, and her voice is still quiet, but she says, “Music.”
My grin widens. “Amazing. I have the perfect spot.”