25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Eliza
“You know, I think we need to replace that back sliding door,” Dad says, leaning against his elbow as we all sit around the kitchen table.
Nick nods. “I’d be happy to change it out this weekend. I didn’t realize it wasn’t latching all that well.”
I take in the sight of him, his jaw dotted with stubble, and while he’s looking handsome as ever in a black Henley and light wash jeans, he looks … tired.
Maybe the Black Friday sale wore him out.
“You’re a really big help around here.” Dad beams, not even bothering to hide the fact that he’s drooling over Nick more than I am—or, well, more than a real girlfriend would. “It was kind of you to rebuild the ramp free of charge…”
Nick brushes it off. “I just see it as my way to give back to the community.”
“Don’t let him fool you, Dad,” I chime in. “He’s basically a saint.”
Nick glances over at me, giving me a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” I say, though something doesn’t sit quite right with the moment.
Something is wrong with Nick.
Worry creeps into my chest, wondering if everything is okay with the store and his family. I mean, surely, if there was something major going on, he would tell me … right?
As Dad and Nick continue to chat, I study my fake boyfriend, my mind running back to last night.
I want to do it all over again, and the fact that I do, is more of a punch to the gut than I expected.
I know I’m feeling things for Nick now. And the question keeps coming back to my head:
Would it be worth it to love again?
I wrestle with the thought, checking out the way Nick’s hands are clasped in front of him against the cherry wood table. His hands are strong from all of the woodworking, but they were soft when they were on my waist.
I shiver at the thought of them on my bare skin.
Oh. My. Gosh.
“You need some water?” Granny’s question interrupts my thoughts as I whip my head around. She’s standing just a few feet from me, giving me a curious look.
Busted.
“Yeah, it’s just a little warm in here,” I say quickly, ignoring the curious expression on my dad and Nick’s face.
“Why don’t we go take a look at that door?” Dad suggests, pushing back from the table. “I can also show you the shop out back, too. It’s been a long time since we’ve opened it up, but you might have a use for some of the things in there. I don’t think it’s been messed with in years.”
“Yeah, that’s a great idea! I hadn’t ever thought to mention that to him,” Granny adds, giving them both a warm smile. “Some of that stuff is probably antique now—like me.”
Dad laughs. “Hey, antiques are worth a lot of money.”
Everyone chuckles—including Nick—but his eyes aren’t quite lighting up like usual.
I’ll ask him about it when I get a chance.
I make the mental note and push my chair back from the table, watching as Dad and Nick disappear through the house. I never really thought that he would be spending time with any of my family members alone, but for some reason, it doesn’t bother me.
“Your mom is making apple cider,” Granny remarks as we stand there in the kitchen. “You want some? Or should I get you a glass of cold water, instead? I saw the way you were looking at him.”
I make a face. “What? I have no idea what you’re talking about. ”
She only laughs, shaking her head at me. “Uh huh, okay. I think I know a flustered woman when I see one.”
My face grows bright red and I don’t even know if I can argue with her. Thankfully, I don’t have to as my mom steps into the small dining room.
“Apple cider is ready, ya’ll.” She grins at me, her hair pinned half up. My mom looks about ten years younger than she actually is, and I hope like heck that I get those genes. But really, she’s gorgeous, with bright green eyes and blonde hair.
“Nick and Will went out to see Pop’s old workshop. It’s been a long time since anyone’s been in there…” Granny turns to my mom, giving her the same soft smile.
My heart squeezes at the grief on Granny’s face. I reach out to her and grab her hand. “We ought to clean it out then, and restore it back to its former glory.”
Granny shrugs. “Maybe. I just know that he’d want someone to make good use out of his things.”
“Well, you have Nick now,” Mom reasons, sending a wave of guilt through my body. “He might just be the missing piece that we’ve all needed. I can see how happy he makes Eliza, and he’s taking great care of the two of you.”
“He’s a really great kid.” Granny eyes me as the words slip from her lips. “I hope he stays around.”
I give them both a sheepish smile. “Well…”
Mom’s shoulder drop. “You’re not sure about him, are you? ”
I ignore the feeling of Granny’s eyes boring into the side of my head. “Um … it’s not that I’m not sure about him. He’s a really, really amazing guy. It’s just that…” My voice trails off as the realization hits me square in the chest. “I don’t want to give someone my everything, and then have them leave me cold … like Devon.” I feel a warm hand on my shoulder and look over to see Granny, her face full of sympathy.
“Devon really did you dirty, honey, but not every man is like him.”
“Yeah, but,” I counter, “he started out being a really good guy. He showered me with gifts and affection and made me feel like the whole world revolved around me.”
Mom nods as she pours three mugs of apple cider. “Well, that happens sometimes—and every relationship goes through a honeymoon phase. However, I have to admit that we saw the change in Devon … and there were some red flags.”
“He was a walking red flag,” I mutter, rolling my eyes at my own ignorance. “I just didn’t want to admit that he was.”
“And do you think Nick is a walking red flag, or however you say that?” Granny bumps my hip with hers.
I hesitate, racking my brain.
Do I think Nick has any red flags?
“I … I don’t know.”
“He works a lot,” Mom points out, handing Granny and me our mugs. “That could be considered a con—not a red flag, though.”
“He’s also never really had a serious relationship,” Granny adds .
“That’s because he’s never left this town,” I reason with a light laugh. “If he lived anywhere else, I’m pretty sure he would’ve had a lot of girlfriends. Women would be all over him.”
“That’s probably true,” Granny agrees, smiling. “But I guess you get to be the lucky girl who snags him, huh?”
I nod but I don’t feel the win at all. In fact, I’m feeling even worse about everything.
Because Nick isn’t mine.
“I think he’s a good guy. I don’t know him the way that you two do, but I have to say, he’s really impressed me since we met him yesterday.” Mom blows across her mug, sending a ripple through the cider. “I think that so far, he fits really well with our family. And come on, I know you two would make some cute kids.”
“Mom!” I feel my face growing hot again. “Please! It’s way too early to be talking about that.”
She shrugs, giving me a grin. “I don’t know … your dad proposed after only three months of dating, and we were married less than a year later. When you know, you know.”
“I know the story,” I grumble, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. I spent the entire relationship with Devon wondering why, after so many years, he still hadn’t decided that I was the right one for him.
Although, I guess it’s a good thing, because clearly, I wasn’t.
“It’s all going to work out the way it should,” Granny cuts in, just as the back door opens. “We’ll just have to see.”
“Yes, we will.” Mom shoots me a wink as Nick and Dad join us in the kitchen again .
“I knew I smelled cider.” Dad laughs, squeezing Nick’s shoulder. “I told ya!”
“You were right.” Nick chuckles. “You’ve got the nose of a hound dog.” They both crack up in this obnoxious manly laughter, and I blink a few times, eyeing my mom and Granny. They’re both looking at Nick and Dad with stars in their eyes.
He does fit in with us; almost scarily so.
“Would you like some cider?” Mom offers Nick.
“Well, actually…” Nick’s hesitates, looking over at me. “I really need to get home. I have some things to do around the house that I’ve gotten behind on, and I have another full work day tomorrow.”
“It is getting pretty late.” Mom glances at the clock on the wall. “We sure enjoyed getting to see you today.”
“Likewise,” Nick replies warmly. He bids my family goodbye—giving hugs and promising to see them again—and I’m stuck trying to decide if it’s part of the charade or if he means it.
Stupid fake relationship.
“I’ll walk you to your truck,” I mutter, following him to the door. He doesn’t say anything as we pull on our coats and step out into the cool night air. Once again, we crunch our way to where his truck is parked, the full moon illuminating the area.
“Your dad is a great man,” Nick says, his eyes not meeting mine. “It’s really something that you have such a great relationship with your parents.”
“Thanks…” My voice trails off as we finally meet gazes. My heart thunders in my chest, and if it weren’t for the rustling of the trees, I would swear that he could hear it pounding against my ribcage. “It’s been so nice having you here with my family,” I blurt out in the tense moment.
Nick raises his brows. “Yeah, you know, I could’ve just come as your friend. It didn’t have to be like this. ” Something in his voice catches me off guard, and I struggle to understand. “But anyway.” He shifts before I can comment. “I’m going to come over on Sunday afternoon and take care of that back glass door. After that, I think I’ll be able to get out of your hair for a while—no more projects here.”
“You haven’t been here just for projects,” I say, my voice dropping off. “I don’t … I don’t understand.”
He shakes his head. “I just mean that I won’t be around here after that.”
I don’t understand why he’s saying what he is, but it almost feels like it’s a jab. “Nick, is something wrong?”
His blue eyes meet mine, stormy and nearly gray. “No, not at all,” his voice is bright, but it doesn’t match what’s reflected in his gaze. “I’m just a little tired. I’ll see ya around, Eliza.”
“Wait…”
But it’s too late. As the words leave my lips, he’s already pulling out of the driveway.
And everything feels wrong.