13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Nick
“Oh my gosh!” Eliza exclaims suddenly, just as I toss the wrapper for my hot dog into the trash. “That’s incredible .”
I furrow my brow, glancing around at the grassy area. I don’t see anything incredible. The park has been turned into an evening venue, along with a carnival. The live band has yet to start playing on the stage, but the sun is disappearing from the sky, so it won’t be long.
“You have to do it,” she continues, and I finally see what she’s talking about.
“Oh, no way,” I say, shaking my head as I take in the dunk tank which is currently recruiting volunteers. “I don’t have any extra clothes.”
“Come on, Nick.” Eliza turns to me, pleading as she still holds a half-eaten hot dog. From what I can tell, she’s been having a blast. She’s been laughing all evening, and I swear the sound is like music to my ears. There’s just something infectious about her…
But I’m not willingly letting her dunk me in cold water in the crisp October air.
“Why don’t you do it,” I suggest, nudging her playfully as she continues toward the dunk tank. “I know for certain I can dunk you.”
“Which is exactly why I’m not doing it.” She tips her head back, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders as her green eyes twinkle under the warm string lights.
Man, she’s gorgeous.
“I, on the other hand, have a terrible arm. There’s like a seventy percent chance that you won’t even get wet,” Eliza urges, just before tossing her hot dog wrapper into one of the trash cans. “Trust me. I played softball for like two seasons in middle school and spent most of my time on the bench.”
“Yeah, you should do it, Nick,” a familiar voice says from behind me.
“I’m with Eliza,” Vanessa adds, as she and Daniel join up with us.
“Oh hey, Vanessa!” Eliza beams .
“Hey, girl. I’m so glad you made it out tonight. This is my husband Daniel, by the way.” Vanessa gestures toward her husband.
“Nice to meet you, Daniel,” Eliza greets him warmly, and suddenly, my heart is doing flip-flops at the fact that Eliza’s meeting my best friend.
“Anyway,” Vanessa continues, “I hope she dunks you, Nick. But even if she doesn’t, it’d be nice to see you sweat.”
“And then you can cool off in the water,” Daniel jokes, punching me in the arm. “Plus, it’s for charity. And I’ll donate a hundred bucks to get you up there.”
I roll my eyes. “You would.”
“Oooh! Pleeeeeease.” Eliza grabs my arm, and for a moment, all I can feel is the softness and warmth of her fingers wrapped around my wrist.
And then she sticks out her bottom lip to pout.
“Aw, look at that face,” Vanessa croons, framing her face with her hands. “You can’t say no to that, Nick. Treat the lady and get in the tank.”
The look on Daniel’s face is one for the books, though I’m not entirely sure how to interpret it. I can’t tell if he’s amused by the way his wife is egging it on, or the fact that I’m actually considering it.
I meet Eliza’s gaze one last time and let out a sigh. “Aw, what the heck. I’ll do it.”
“Oh. My. Gosh. Yes!” Eliza pumps her fist in the air in the most adorable way, and I can’t lie, the smile on her face makes it worth it.
But still, this is not gonna be fun .
“Alright, alright.” Daniel chuckles as we head over to the tank.
“Have a happy time in the tank, Nick,” Roger Farris, an older man we go to church with, says with a grin. “I hope she’s got a heck of an arm.” He shoots me a wink as I climb up the ladder and get situated on the plank.
Glancing down, the water looks … cold.
“Okay, so, you know how the game works, right?” Roger asks Eliza, his eyes full of amusement beneath his bushy white brows. “You hit the target here.” He points to the bullseye. “And Nick hits the water. You got five tries.”
“ Five tries?! ” I gasp from the plank as my eyes go wide. “That’s a lot.”
“Yeah, well, it’s usually three, but I’m feeling generous.” Roger chuckles, before setting a bucket of balls at the red line on the ground beside Eliza. “And I’d kind of like to see her win.”
Vanessa and Daniel stand a few feet from Eliza, both watching the scene like it’s about to be fireworks.
I brace myself as Eliza shoots me a devilish grin and then rears back, throwing the baseball at the target.
She misses, but only by an inch.
I’m in shock.
“I thought you said you had a horrible arm,” I call out to her, still impressed with how much force she threw the ball with.
“I do have a terrible arm, but I never said I have a terrible aim .” She giggles, leaning down and picking up another ball .
“She’s gonna bring you down!” Daniel shouts, folding his arms across his chest.
“Get ‘em, Eliza!” Vanessa echoes, clapping her hands. “Keep your eye on the target.”
Great, it’s like Little League.
“Prepare to be soaked,” Eliza mutters just before slinging the ball at the target.
Clink .
The sound of the ball hitting the metal echoes in the air…
And then all I feel is the gush of cool water around me.
I come up and whip my head around, sending water droplets spewing everywhere. I’m drenched, and my friends are laughing their heads off…
But not Eliza.
She rushes to the tank to meet me as I climb out.
“Here.” She grabs a towel from Roger and hands it to me. “You must be freezing.”
I take it from her and smile, ignoring the cool breeze that’s sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re feeling a little guilty about dunking me, huh?”
She blushes, causing my heart to stutter. “Well … you know. It was worth it, but I don’t want you to freeze. You’re a good sport.”
“You have a great arm,” I say, wrapping the towel around my shoulders. Hindsight being twenty-twenty, I should’ve taken my shirt off before getting dunked, but whatever. It’ll be fine .
“If it makes you feel better, there’s a fire going over there.” She points to the massive fire pit off to the side of the stage, where you can cook your own hot dogs and make smores. Just the sight of the fire has me feeling warmer and I nod.
“I think I’ll probably survive.”
“You’re literally the best for doing that,” she beams, bouncing beside me. “That totally made my whole night.”
“Well good. The next time you’re having a bad day, I’ll be sure to remember I can just borrow the dunk tank and let you have at it,” I joke, noting the curious look on Vanessa and Daniel’s face.
“So … you two…” Daniel begins, just before Vanessa swats his arm.
“We’ve gotta get home. Louise can only handle the twins for so long,” she says quickly, giving us a smile. “I heard the band is supposed to be really good tonight. You two should stay and enjoy it. Maybe sit by the fire and dry first, though.”
“Yeah, of course,” I chip in when Eliza stays quiet. “Have a good evening.”
“Thanks for cheering me on,” Eliza finally says as they turn to leave. The look on her face is difficult to read, and I’m not sure if she’s ready to go home or if something they said put her off…
“I can take you home if you want,” I say, my voice softening as we stand off to the side. More people are funneling in as the band sets up on the stage, and I try not to show that I’m shivering in my boots.
She looks up at me. “Oh, are you ready to go? I guess not having a change of clothes kind of ruins things. ”
“I’m up for anything.”
She frowns, letting out a sigh. “Well, let’s at least go sit by the fire for a while so you can dry.”
I follow her over to the large fire and pull up two metal chairs. The flames are a welcomed warmth, and I find myself scooting closer as we both sit down. “I haven’t really introduced you to anyone,” I say cautiously, suddenly wondering if that’s why she’s not happy.
“Oh, that’s okay,” she dismisses me, crossing one leg over the other. “Everyone is busy and enjoying their families. I’ll get to know people in time. I just have to get out more.”
I nod, relaxing as my jeans start to feel more damp than drenched. “I can’t imagine moving to a new town. If I was in your shoes, I probably wouldn’t ever get to know anyone.”
She raises her brows, her green eyes full of surprise. “Really? You seem like a social kind of guy.”
“Not really.” I purse my lips, shifting to angle the other, more wet, side of my body toward the fire. “I mean, sure, I talk to the people I know, but I don’t make friends all that easy. I really only have two close friends: Daniel and Vanessa.”
“I really like Vanessa,” Eliza adds, leaning her elbows on her knees. “I think she’s super cool. She’s not from around here, either, which gives us something in common.”
“Yeah, I bet that’s nice to have in common—”
“But it’s good to have friends who’ve lived here, too,” she says quickly, poking my knee. “I think you’re already shaping up to be a great friend. ”
Friend. Right.
Well, that’s what we are.
I nod, swallowing the disappointment. “Glad you think so. I hope you like it here,” I continue talking so that I don’t wallow in the rejection. “I know Vanessa is thrilled you’re here. There’s just not a lot of people our age around this little town, so she always gets stuck hanging out with Daniel … and me.”
“Ah, so your BFF time is invaded by your best friend’s wife,” Eliza teases, laughing as she leans back in her seat. “You poor thing.”
I chuckle but shake my head. “I just think she deserves to have some friends of her own”
She shrugs, the lines around her eyes deepening with thought. “I’d rather be one of few than one of many, I think. Chicago always just seemed to swallow me up. It’s like it never mattered if I was coming or going. I was invisible to most people.”
“It’s a big city. I can see how you’d feel that way,” I remark. “Sometimes though, I wish I’d moved away—at least for a little bit.”
She turns to face me. “You never went to college?”
My face heats up with embarrassment. “Um, no. I…” My voice trails off as I recall my dad all those years ago. “I didn’t end up going to school. My dad got really sick. I stayed behind to help run the store. He ended up passing away, and I just never got around to it after that.”
She reaches out to squeeze my hand gently. “I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you made a tough decision, but a loving one. ”
I offer her a small smile, grateful for her understanding. “Thanks. It was hard at the time, but I don’t regret it. Family comes first, you know?”
She nods in agreement.
“Anyway, are you planning on staying in West Falls long?” I ask her.
She hesitates, leaning back and meeting my gaze as the band’s soft country tune begins to fill the night air around us. “I don’t know, but I’m open to it. I think I might like to settle down in a place that’s like this. I kinda like the slower pace.”
“Me, too.” I smile. “I always thought I’d raise a family here.”
“Yeah?” Eliza perks up, brushing some of her hair out of her face. “I’m honestly surprised that you’re still single. You seem like a great guy—a saint, really.”
I laugh. “Not a saint, but I, uh…” My voice trails off as I wring my hands. “I’m not very good at all that dating stuff—never have been. It’s a small town, so there aren’t a lot of opportunities to meet people. And the people I do meet, don’t usually want to stick around West Falls,” I explain. “Heck, even my own sister moved away the first chance she got. That said, I’m now the only one here who can help out my mom. So … I never really saw the point in looking too hard for something more. Being there for my family has always been my priority.”
Her eyes soften as she listens. “I get that. Family is important.” She pauses, her gaze drifting to the crackling flames. “But you deserve happiness too, you know? ”
“Yeah, yeah that’s what my mom and sister say too.” I chuckle. “But what about you?” I ask carefully, not wanting to push her. “You seem like a catch.”
Eliza bursts into laughter. “Me? A catch ? Ha! You should try telling my ex-boyfriend of eight years that…”
“That’s a long time to be with someone,” I comment, watching as Eliza’s laughter fades into a wistful smile. “What happened?”
She shakes her head, her gaze now fixed on the crackling flames. “I guess we just … wanted different things. He’s hyper-focused on his law career, and climbing the corporate ladder. And he thought I should be happy doing the same thing. But … I was ready to settle down and start a family with him. I mean, that’s what you do when you’ve been together for so long, right? Except, he couldn’t see beyond his next big case, his next promotion. And in the end, we just grew apart.”
I nod in understanding, seeing the sadness flicker in Eliza’s eyes. “It must’ve been hard.”
“It was,” she admits quietly. “And I won’t be dating again for a very long time because of it. But … I think the breakup was the wake-up call I needed to realize what I truly want in life.”
My heart sinks as I realize this means I most likely have no chance with her … And while I understand why she feels the way she does, there’s a small part of me that wants to prove to her that not all men are like her ex-boyfriend.
I glance down at my hands, not sure what to say .
“You wanna dance?” Eliza asks suddenly, and I look up, seeing her eyes zeroed in on the couples spinning around the dance floor.
My stomach flips. “I don’t really dance…”
“Why not?” She turns back to me, standing to her feet and extending her hand. “I bet you know how.”
“To a slow song, maybe. But … I didn’t even go to my high school prom.”
“Okay, well, that’s sad.” Eliza laughs, grabbing my hand and tugging. “Let’s go make up for it then.”
Friends can dance.
That’s all she’s saying.
Reluctantly, I join her, letting her lead me toward the makeshift dance floor. My eyes scan the crowd, landing on the faces of my mom and Ms. Marilyn, both seated at a table…
Watching us.
Of course.
I almost say something to Eliza, but instead, I catch my breath as her body is suddenly very close to mine.
A slow tune, led by an acoustic guitar leads the procession before the lead singer’s sultry deep voice fills the air. I rest a hand gently on Eliza’s waist as my other hand holds hers.
“You can dance,” she exclaims, looking up at me as we two-step slowly.
“I used to dance with my mom and sister sometimes,” I say softly, breathing in the scent of her hair. Eliza leans in closer, and her locks tickle my nose .
She’s so close to me.
And I just want to wrap her up in my arms and hold her.
“That’s really sweet,” she murmurs, tilting her head back to look up at me. Her nose brushes my chin as she does so, and my heart begins to hammer so hard in my chest that she might be able to feel it.
I hold her gaze as our bodies sway to the rhythm of the music, but this feels like so much more than just a simple dance. With each passing moment, my heart races faster and I can feel the electricity between us growing stronger.
At least for me.
But surely, she feels it, too.
Her thick lips curl upward in a sweet smile, and I fight the urge not to lean in and take them with mine.
Eliza squeezes my hand, and I search her green eyes for some sort of answer. And, for a split second, I can see the same longing and attraction mirrored back at me. My hand tightens around hers, almost as if we are holding on for dear life. But just as I think something might happen between us, the music stops and she drops my hand.
“That was fun!” she exclaims, her voice slightly breathless as she steps back, a hint of pink dusting her cheeks. “Thanks for dancing with me.”
I nod, trying to swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. “Thank you for asking me. It was … nice. ”
Eliza smiles warmly before excusing herself, walking toward my mom and Ms. Marilyn, and leaving me standing alone on the dance floor.
I stare at her for a few moments, wondering if her cheeks are flushed because of the moment that we just had—or I think we had—or if it’s because her granny is embarrassing her. Regardless, I eventually muster up the courage to approach the women.
“Well, I better head home,” Ms. Marilyn says with a yawn as soon as I’m in earshot. “It’s been a long night.” She stands to her feet, slinging her purse over her shoulder.
“Me, too,” Mom agrees, before shooting me a smile. “You look like you had a good time.”
“Yeah,” I say, stealing a glance over at Eliza.
“I think I might just head home with you, if that’s okay,” she says to Ms. Marilyn. “I’m exhausted, and it’ll save you the trip.” Eliza turns to me, giving me a smile.
I nod, trying to hide my disappointment.
“Thank you so much for tonight, Nick. It was fun. I’ll see you around,” Eliza says before heading off with Ms. Marilyn.
“Well, you two got awfully close out there.” Mom taps my legs with her foot. “It was so cute.”
I pull out a chair, plopping down. “Yeah, but we’re just friends. I doubt she sees me as anything more than that.”
Mom is quiet for a moment. “Maybe just give her some time. From what Marilyn told me tonight, she’s been through the wringer. ”
I nod, running my hands down my slightly damp jeans. “Probably best if I just let her be.”
Mom leans forward. “Just be patient. You never know what could happen.”
I stare off in the direction Eliza went off to, replaying the conversation we had about her not wanting to date.
Yeah, I have a pretty good idea.
But being friends is better than nothing … right?