Chapter Seventeen
E m got out of the shower, toweled off, and applied her luxurious new scented body lotion. Maybe she hadn’t found her soulmate yet, but her new self-care routine had her skin soft and glowing. So at least there was that.
Emerie walked into her bedroom closet and sifted through a few of the sexy, daring, or ultrafeminine looks that she wouldn’t have imagined she could pull off, just a few months ago. Through this experience, she’d gained a growing sense of confidence. And though she still hated the fuss and muss, she loved her new look. She pulled a skirt from the rack and examined it. But it didn’t quite feel right for a Friday night date. It was more of a Sunday brunch look.
She halted at the sound of knocking. There was silence, followed by another round of knocking—harder and longer this time.
Kassie lived in Emerie’s building. She was likely popping in to keep Em company and dish about her latest date with Harrison while Em got dressed for her second date with Alan—the first dating app candidate who’d been worth a second look.
Em yanked off her towel and slipped on a short robe before going to the front door and checking the peephole.
“Nick?” She opened the door. “What are you doing here? I’m getting ready for my date.”
“I know my timing is shitty, but I really need to talk to you, Em. Could you spare like ten minutes?”
Emerie was prepared to tell him they needed to do this some other time. But Nick’s tone was urgent, and he seemed nervous and unsettled. The opposite of his usual laid-back demeanor.
Em clutched her robe—holding it together where it was falling open and revealing peeks of cleavage. She opened the door and gestured toward the living room.
“Ten minutes is all I can spare, so start talking.” Em folded her arms as she studied her friend, who seemed more rattled than she’d ever seen him before. “What’s going on, Nick? The past few weeks you’ve been acting… I don’t know… weird.”
Honestly, things had been strange for her, too, in the weeks since their kiss. But Nick hadn’t brought it up again, and neither had she. Besides, between Nick’s work and the band and her increased client load, dance practice, and now dating… they hadn’t seen each other much since that night. Still, Nick’s tense vibe was surprising.
“So what’s this about, Nick?”
“The past few weeks have been rough for me. Between my work and all of your practice for the dance exhibition, we don’t get to spend much time together anymore.”
Em wasn’t sure what to make of Nick’s admission or where he was going with this. But she’d spent the past several years captive to Nicholas Washington’s charm. She wouldn’t let that deep, sexy voice and that penetrating gaze sway her again.
“You’re saying you’re upset because the dance exhibition is taking away from the time I spend with you ?”
“No. I mean… yes. But I—” Nick swallowed hard, and his forehead glistened with beads of perspiration, despite it still being winter in the Carolinas.
Had he run up the stairs rather than taking the elevator?
“Look, Em, I realize that sounds—”
“Selfish? Immature?” she offered.
“I was thinking petty , but okay. I can see your point,” Nick conceded. He sighed heavily and dragged a hand through his hair. “Look, Em, you’re the shining star of that class. I am thrilled that you’re getting your chance to shine. I’m just…”
Nick’s words faded and her friend looked more flustered than she’d ever seen him.
“You’re just… what , Nick?”
“Jealous of Carlos because he gets to spend so much time with you during practice. And of this guy Alan, who you’re going on a second date with. And who the hell ever else you’ve been spending time with on that damn dating app. Because… God, this does sound incredibly selfish and immature, but I swear it comes from a place of absolute sincerity.”
“ What comes from a place of sincerity?” Em’s head was spinning. “You didn’t even finish your sentence. Why would you be jealous of Carlos or Alan or anyone else I’m spending time with?” The volume of Em’s voice was climbing, as was her frustration with Nick.
A few months ago, she would’ve been over the moon to hear Nick proclaim how much he missed spending time with her. But she’d told Nick how she felt about him, and he’d rejected her. And she was growing tired of his self-centered little games. So she didn’t feel that warm, fuzzy feeling she would’ve a few months or even weeks ago. What she felt was incandescent rage.
“What the fuck is this, Nick?” Em seethed, her heartbeat going a mile a minute.
Nick took a half step backward, clearly aware that she was angry. “I’m just trying to say that I miss you, Em. I miss us .”
“Now that you’re no longer my complete focus, suddenly you miss us .” Em stressed the final word, her chest heaving with each breath. “You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me, either. Does that just about sum things up?”
“Shit.” Nick huffed. “That makes me sound like a complete dick. And maybe I am. But it’s true. You and I are more than just friends, Em. We’re… we’re…”
“We’re what , exactly, Nick?” Emerie demanded, stepping closer, her hands balled into fists at her side as she stared up at her best friend.
The question was one she’d considered a lot lately. That “practice” kiss a few weeks ago had confirmed that there was something more than just friendship between them. But they clearly weren’t lovers, either. So where did that leave them? In some weird, gray space in between the two?
Em stared at Nick, waiting for a response. He seemed to search her face for an answer of his own, neither of them speaking. Then suddenly, Nick stepped forward, cupped her jaw in his large hand, and pressed his lips to hers.
Em gasped, surprised by her friend’s action. But as his lips moved over hers with a heat and intensity that made her body instantly react, the stiffness in her spine and the anger that fueled it began to dissipate.
She hated to admit it, but she still had feelings for Nick, and she wanted him.
She pressed her hands to Nick’s chest and leaned into him, her heartbeat filling her ears, and her pulse racing.
Nick tilted her head slightly, and her lips parted the tiniest bit. His tongue swept between her lips and glided against hers as he deepened the kiss.
Em sank into him, loving the feel of her body melting into his as he captured her mouth in a hungry kiss that made her wonder if he’d been as starved for this as she had.
Nick’s hand drifted down her neck, then down her side, and settled on her hip. He pulled her closer, their lower bodies flush, removing any doubt about whether Nick was attracted to her. The feeling of him hard against her belly was more pronounced given that she was wearing absolutely nothing beneath the thin, satin robe.
Em settled into the kiss, into the feel of Nick’s arms around her, the taste of his warm mouth, and the way he held her as if she belonged to him and no one else. Because that was what she wanted, too.
A knock at the door startled them. Nick suspended the kiss but didn’t let go of her. They stared at each other, neither of them speaking. There was more knocking.
“Emerie, it’s Alan. I know I’m kind of early but…”
Em slapped a hand over her mouth, her heart racing as the dreaminess of the kiss faded and she came back to reality. “It’s Alan.”
“I heard.” Nick heaved a quiet sigh.
“What the hell am I doing?” Em paced the floor, one hand pressed to her forehead as she whispered beneath her breath. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to Nick. She poked his chest. “No, what the hell are you doing? Did you just wake up today and decide to choose violence?”
“No, of course not. You know me better than that, Em.” Nick seemed genuinely hurt by her accusation. “I’m here because—”
Alan knocked again. “Emerie? Would it be better if I—”
“Just a minute, Alan. I’ll be there in a sec!” Em called. She sucked in a deep breath. She needed a moment to think; a moment to breathe.
Twenty minutes ago, she was floating on a cloud, trying to decide what to wear for her second date with Alan, and now her head was spinning, her temples were throbbing, and she felt like she was in the midst of a panic attack. Em was going to strangle her best friend.
“I can get rid of him,” Nick said. “I’ll just explain that—”
“The only person I’m getting rid of tonight is you, Nicholas Washington.” Emerie grabbed her friend’s elbow and dragged him toward her bedroom.
“Wait… you’re still going out with that guy after we kissed?” Nick protested as she ushered him into her bedroom.
“Yes, I’m still going out with Alan.” Em closed the door behind them. She shoved a finger in Nick’s direction. “You don’t get to waltz in here and try to stake your claim on me because someone else is finally interested.”
Nick winced and lowered his gaze.
Good . At least he had the decency to be ashamed of himself.
“Look, I know my timing is sus. But Alan isn’t the guy for you. You deserve better.”
“And you know this how , exactly?” Em tightened her loosening belt, then folded her arms as she glared at Nick.
He shifted his gaze from hers. “I just do.”
Em heaved a sigh and shook her head. She wasn’t sure what had gotten into Nick. He was behaving like a puppy peeing on fire hydrants to mark his territory. But this time, she wouldn’t give in to his selfish antics.
She’d initiated the Soulmate Project because she was tired of the roles that she and Nick had fallen into. Tired of playing the faithful, lovelorn sidekick to Nick’s charming playboy. Emerie was ready to find the person she was meant to be with, and no matter how much she wanted him to be, that clearly wasn’t Nick.
Alan was the first of her dates she’d liked enough to consider a second date with. She wasn’t about to let Nick ruin things with the best prospect she’d had since Dillon.
“Well, bestie , your concerns have been noted. Now unless you want to climb out of my sixth-floor window, I suggest you park your ass in that chair, stay in this room, and stay quiet. I’m going to let Alan in, get dressed, then we’ll be on our way. Then you can leave and lock up behind you.”
“But, Em—”
“ No , Nick,” Em said firmly. “I am not letting you mess this up for me. You promised you would help me with this. That you would be my wingman the way I’ve been for you all this time. This is the exact opposite of helping.” Em’s anger receded, and there was just hurt left behind. She placed a hand on her friend’s arm, and her eyes pleaded with his. “Please do this for me. We can talk about everything else later.”
Nick dragged a hand down his face and sighed. He nodded solemnly. “If that’s what you want.”
“Thank you.” Emerie slipped the shower bonnet from her head and tossed it onto the bed. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Remember… stay in here and do not make a sound.”
Em closed the door behind her, hurried toward the front door, stopping in front of the mirror long enough to fluff up her hair, flattened by the shower cap.
Em put on her biggest smile, then opened the door a crack. She peered at the handsome man standing on the other side. He smelled like soap and cologne. The two cloying scents clashing.
“Sorry it took me so long, Alan. But I’m still getting dressed. Did we get our signals mixed up? I thought you weren’t coming for another half hour.”
“No, you’re right. That was the plan, but I found myself in the area earlier, and I was eager to see you again. So I thought I’d take a chance on seeing if you were ready.” He flashed a grin that was probably intended to be sexy but missed its mark by a mile. “Mind if I come in and wait?”
Em stared at him a moment, her brain churning. If she’d been there alone, she probably would’ve asked him to wait in the car. But while he didn’t give her stalker vibes, she felt more confident knowing Nick was in the other room.
“Sure. Have a seat.” Em gestured toward the living room. “I shouldn’t be long. Can I get you a drink? Water, juice, soda, coffee, maybe?”
Alan rubbed his beard as he took in her bare legs beneath the short robe. He cleared his throat. “Juice would be great. What are the options?”
“Cranberry or white grape.” Em pulled her robe tighter, suddenly self-conscious.
“Cranberry would be great. If you have a splash of vodka to go with it… even better.” Alan chuckled, his dark eyes twinkling.
Em grabbed a glass and pulled a bottle of cranberry juice from the fridge, ignoring his suggestion about the vodka. They weren’t supposed to be having cocktails at her place before they went to a movie theater off-island. She handed him the glass.
Alan took a sip and practically coughed. “Just juice, huh?” He studied the glass as if the liquid inside had offended him.
“We can go for cocktails after the movie.” Em flashed a smile. “And if we’re going to make it to the theater in time, I should get dressed. I’ll be as quick as I—”
“Actually…” Alan set his drink down and caught her hand.
The zing of electricity she’d felt when Nick had taken her hand earlier was notably absent. There was only the sensation of chilliness and the roughness of Alan’s palm.
Em’s gaze dropped to their joined hands, then up at Alan again.
“I was thinking… it’s opening weekend. The theater will probably be really crowded. Not ideal. What if we see the movie next weekend or the weekend after that? By then, the crowd will have died down a bit.” Alan grinned.
“Sure. Okay, I guess.” Em shrugged. It was the ninth or tenth installment in a dying action movie franchise. She honestly couldn’t care less about the movie. She’d checked out three or four movies ago. She only kept seeing the movies because Nick loved the franchise.
“So what should we do tonight? Dinner? Billiards? The Foxhole maybe? There’s live music there tonight.” Em didn’t yank her hand from his, but she took a half step backward.
“Actually…” Alan drew the word out, and Em’s shoulders tensed instinctively “… I was thinking we could do dinner and a movie here. There must be something on one of the streaming services neither of us has seen, and we can order in. I discovered a fantastic Asian fusion restaurant that delivers to the island.”
So that’s why Alan had shown up to her apartment a half hour early.
He was hoping to make it a Netflix and Chill night. But that wasn’t going to happen. They’d had one date and a series of messages on the dating app. She barely knew the man. And in the history of her dating life, she’d never slept with someone she didn’t know well and feel totally at ease with. She and Alan certainly hadn’t reached that stage.
“Actually, I was really looking forward to going out tonight.” Em tugged her hand free as subtly as she could manage. “Bought a new outfit just for the occasion.”
“And I’ll bet you look amazing in it.” Alan stroked his full beard and scanned her legs again. “But I promise to appreciate it just as much if you wear it here.”
Em took a full step backward this time. “Seems pointless to get all dressed up if we’re just hanging out at my place.”
Alan stepped forward, his legs much longer than hers. “Good point. I happen to think you look pretty damn amazing just the way you are. No need to get dressed on my account.”
Em wasn’t afraid. But Alan clearly either wasn’t taking the hint or simply didn’t care what she wanted. Neither was acceptable.
“ Actually …” Em repeated what had become the word of the evening. “On second thought, it’s been a long, exhausting day for me. I’m not feeling great. Perhaps we should take a rain check on the entire evening.” She folded her arms.
“After I came all this way, you want me to leave?” Alan folded his arms, too. He glared at her. “I’m sorry if I offended you by suggesting we stay in tonight. But isn’t the point of this to get to know each other and see if there’s something here? It would be much easier to accomplish that in the comfort and quiet of your apartment than in a crowded movie theater or restaurant.”
“Maybe I haven’t been clear enough.” Em kept her voice steady, despite her growing uneasiness and his increasing agitation. “I’d like you to leave my apartment. Now . Please.”
Em moved toward the door, but Alan grabbed her arm. His grip was tight, but not painful.
“Emerie, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. You’re taking this all wrong. I—”
“I think she asked you to leave more than once, bruh .”
They both turned toward Nick’s voice as he stalked toward them like a train barreling down a railroad track. His expression and body language were far more menacing than Alan’s.
“Who the hell is this?” Alan’s tone was accusatory.
“The guy who won’t ask you twice to take your fucking hand off of her.” Nick was standing toe-to-toe with the man, staring him down.
Alan released her arm and stepped back.
“This is Nicky,” Em said. Her face was hot, and her gut churned. She wasn’t sure who she was more pissed at right now. Alan for being a pushy jerk or Nick for riding in on his white horse without giving her a chance to resolve the problem herself. “He’s the childhood best friend I told you about.”
“I thought Nicky was a woman.” Alan frowned.
“Clearly not.” Nick grinned like a cartoon villain.
“Nick came by to tell me something. Then you arrived earlier than we’d agreed and—”
“What kind of game are you two playing?” Alan shifted his gaze between the two of them. “What was the plan, Emerie? You already have a man? Were you two planning to rob me or is one man just not enough for you?”
Okay, she was definitely more pissed at Alan. But she was more angry with herself. How could she have liked this guy enough to give him a second date?
“I was supposed to meet you downstairs. You invited yourself in,” she reminded him, her voice rising.
“And she asked you to leave. So take the hint and get the hell out before I help you find the door.” Nick’s hands were balled into fists at his sides, and a vein bulged in his temple.
“Please,” Em added.
Alan snatched his jacket off the couch and put it on.
“Gladly. Because it seems things just aren’t working out for us.” He strode toward the door Nick held open.
“And what was your first clue about that, Casanova?” Em yelled after Alan as he strode down the hall. She slammed the front door and locked it. “Asshole!”
Emerie heaved a sigh, her back pressed to the closed door. Between another failed candidate and whatever was happening with Nick, the Soulmate Project was officially in trouble.