15. Now
Chapter 15
Now
C HAPTER FIFTEEN
“What do you think?” I twirl in high-waisted frayed jeans with a black long-sleeved crop top and boots.
“I think you need to change.” Amy’s never been one for sugarcoating.
I look down. “Really? It’s not bad.”
“It’s not bad for a girl’s night or pizza at Nick’s … a few months down the road, but you need a first date ‘do me’ dress.”
“I do not need a first date ‘do me’ dress. I think this is fine. Besides, it’s our second date, and we’ve been talking every night for the last couple of weeks.”
Amy crosses her arms. “Okay, you’re further proving my point. You’re on a second date by country standards, but by NYC standards, you’re on at least your third or fourth date. You need a ‘do me’ dress.”
“Ame, I didn’t even pack anything nicer than this … I chaotically threw clothes in a duffle bag.”
I can see the gears in her brain rotating. “Aha!” She snaps her fingers and runs out of the room. When she comes back, she’s hiding her hands behind her.
I throw a warning glare and unplug my straightener.
“Okay, hear me out. If you don’t like it, I promise I’ll get on board with this.” She waves her petite finger over my outfit.
I take a deep breath. “Fine. What do you have?”
Amy brings the mini dress she’s holding around, and my mouth drops.
“You hate it.”
“I love it.” I lift my jaw back up as I walk to the dress. I feel the black, sparkly fabric beneath my hands. It’s soft and smooth at the same time. The neckline plunges down to mid-chest. It’s sexy and modest at the same time … and exactly something I would wear at home, out at Encore.
Amy’s face lights up. “Ooh, goody! I have heels to match!”
“I’ll definitely ask to borrow this beautiful dress, but I draw the line at heels.” Amy’s gaze is off in the distance, and I point a finger in her direction. “I mean it, Ame.”
She sighs. “Okay, fine.”
“Why’d you even pack something like this?” My fingers keep tracing the material, as I’m giddy about getting to wear something comfy and pretty for the first time in a while.
“You never know what the day is going to bring.”
I roll my eyes. Of course.
The doorbell rings, and I jump. “Right on time.”
Nana whistles downstairs. “I knew I liked him.”
“Here we go.” I take a deep breath and stroll down the stairs. “Why do I feel like I’m heading to prom?”
“Is it the corsage?” Amy bops my nose.
“Or lack thereof? I don’t think my prom date got me a corsage either.” Unless you count a pile of dandelions he pinned together before they fell apart.
Nana cuts us off to open the door. “Hi, Nick. Nice of you to come pick Katie girl up.”
“It’s my pleasure.” His face lights up when he spots me. “You look amazing.”
I smile. “Thank you.” Taking in the full-fledged gray, pinstriped suit, brilliant blue tie, and navy dress shoes, I have to stop myself from drooling. He catches me staring and grins—his perfect white teeth. His short brown hair compliments his chestnut-brown eyes, which are full of fire. “You look great, yourself.”
“What’s the plan?” Nana grabs her purse.
Does she think she’s coming?
Nick straightens his jacket. “I was thinking dinner, drinks, and dancing if you’re up for it?”
“That’s perfect.” The butterflies in my stomach can’t wait to get out of here.
He shifts his attention to Nana. “Should I have her back at a particular time?”
Nana rubs her hands together. “The later, the better, if you know what I mean.” She winks.
My palm finds my face for what is certainly not the first time today. Good Lord, Nana.
“All right, well, you two should get going.” Amy pushes us out the door. “Have a great time!”
“Ooh, a minivan,” I giggle.
Nick opens the van door for me to get in and then climbs in himself while laughing loudly. “Sexy, I know, but this is all the rental company had on short notice. Please don’t dump me for it.” He holds his hands up in surrender.
“I mean, that’s going to be tough. I only date guys with Bentleys or greater,” I tease.
He laughs. “What’s greater than a Bentley?”
I shake my head. “Evidently a minivan.”
“How do you feel about Hondas? I still have one parked at my parents’ place because I don’t have a use for it, but I can’t bear to get rid of it.”
“A Honda’s good, and I’ve been there for sure.”
He flips the turn signal. “You have an old Honda you’re unable to part with?”
“Not a Honda, but I had an ancient Sundance I rode to the ground. Even when she died, I wouldn’t let anyone get rid of her. I’m pretty sure Lily’s long since been recycled at this point, and it’s not the car … or, not all the car. It’s the nostalgia.” And all that comes with it.
His eyes light up. “Yes! You get it.”
Nick makes a turn down the street, and we head further into Sloane instead of toward Nashville.
“Where are we headed?” I stare out the window and wait for him to say he made a wrong turn, but he doesn’t.
“This little tavern in town has rave reviews. I know you’ve mentioned how great the chicken is here, but I thought …”
“Hot chicken,” I say absentmindedly.
I tune out right after he agrees. “Oh yes, that’s it!”
We pull into the parking lot at the Firefly Lounge, and my stomach churns. Is he still here? Will he see us? Will we blend in amongst the sea of Sloaners?
“Wow, I guess the food here is good.” Nick cranes his neck to gauge the crowd waiting to get in. Some are smoking and talking, others are outside to be with their friends, cackling when a joke is thrown out there. “This is busier than I expected.”
I hesitate to unbuckle my seat belt as he parks the car. “Sloane’s a small town, and it’s a Saturday night. There are limited options to eat here.”
He pauses and puts his hand on the center console. “Would you rather get out- out for a night?” Ever the gentleman.
Yes , but I don’t say it out loud. “Oh no, this is great. Their burgers are amazing.” I paste a smile on my face and cross my fingers that Jase has already left for the night.
“Oh, perfect.” Nick climbs out of the minivan and comes around to open the door on my side. Like I said, a gentleman.
I should warn him, but what do I say: hey, the minute we walk in there, there will be a thousand pictures of us? They’ll be splattered all over our small-town gossip column tomorrow, along with pictures of me and my ex running a race together. You know the race, the one where I ran into your arms for no reason and asked you to kiss me? It might not have been the most genuine moment. Or, hey, my ex works here, and not any ex, but ‘the one who got away’ ex. Maybe not that, but I have to say something.
I step out of the van and take the hand he offers me. As we pace to the door, my thumb starts drawing circles on the back of his hand. “Hey, Nick.”
“Yeah?” He bends his head down, and his ear is close to me.
At least he understands discretion.
“I haven’t been back in Sloane in six years. There’s a lot of drama getting dug up since I’ve been home. There will be a lot of ears tonight.” Tell him about Jase. I open my mouth to continue talking but chicken out and pick at the skin under my nail instead.
Straightening, he winks and rubs my hand with his thumb. “Let’s give ‘em a show.”
I want to agree with him and fight fire is with fire, but I can’t be as free, or as me, as I want to be with Nick … not with Jase so close.
Nick chuckles and smooths my hair behind my ear. “Hey, it’s totally fine. You can lead, and I’ll roll with it.”
The moment feels too intimate, like it doesn’t belong to him and me. Like he doesn’t belong with me. Perhaps, more importantly, I don’t belong with him, either. Brushing the intrusive thoughts aside, I reach out to open the door, but Nick beats me to it. He drops my hand and holds the door open for me. I smile, surprised by the gesture.
“Are you sure you’re not Southern?”
His smile meets his eyes. “No, ma’am.”
“You’re right. If you were Southern, you would’ve had a great tip of the hat.”
“Like this?” He gestures with a pretend hat on his head.
“Yep, like that.”
A familiar voice bellows, “Two this evening?”
Peering up at Jase, his green eyes are darker than normal, his anger—no, jealousy?— apparent. Well, it serves him right.
“Yes, two please.” I can’t help being a little smug at his reaction.
“Booth or table?” Jase clicks his tongue while he checks out the seating chart.
“Do you have a preference?” My tone is sweet as sugar for my date, and by the twitch in Jase’s eye, he notices.
“A booth would be great if you have it, man,” he says to Jase.
“Coming right up, man, ” Jase replies, making fun of Nick. He picks up two menus and walks us to the corner booth I sat in when Jade and I stopped in a few days back.
We no sooner slide into the booth when Nick leans in. “Who’s the friendly guy?”
I shake my head. Don’t get me started. “You don’t want to know.”
“Ah, the ex.” Nick makes an okay symbol with his fingers.
Jase comes back a few minutes later with a pad and pen in hand. “Welcome to Firefly Lounge. I’m Jase, and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I start y’all off with something to drink?”
“I’ll do a glass of Moscato.” I keep my eyes glued to the menu. Two can play that game.
“Do you have a Lager on tap?” Nick strains to see the bar.
“We do, brewed right here,” Jase answers.
“I’ll do a pint of that, please.” Nick opens his menu a bit more. “What’s good here?”
Jase doesn’t put his hand on his hip, but he’s damn well close to it. “Everything.”
“Ah.” Nick sighs.
“I’ll give y’all a minute.” Jase backs away.
“So, how recent an ex is he?” Nick asks when Jase is out of earshot.
I pretend like I need to do math in the air. “Oh, about … six years.”
“Must have ended badly for him to still be like that .”
I shrug. “The burgers are worth it, though.”
Nick moves his attention to ‘Burgers and ’Wiches’ section.
An old high school acquaintance, Molly, taps a microphone at the edge of the bar. She taps one more time, and the speakers screech. She winces and apologizes. “Sorry, y’all. Still getting’ used to this new sound system. Trivia will be starting in about ten minutes. Grab your sheets now if you’re playing.”
“Trivia?” Nick moves his hand to his chin, considering.
I laugh. “Oh, Nick Scott, you have no idea what you’re asking for?”
“Oh? It must be good if you’re using my full name?”
“Kay’s a mastermind,” Jase announces. He nearly drops our drinks on the table.
“Oh, yeah, Kay? ” Nick rubs his hand on mine.
I don’t move. He’s trying to antagonize Jase the same way Jase is trying to antagonize the two of us … but Jase’s nickname doesn’t sound right on Nick’s lips.
Jase gruffly interrupts my thoughts. “So, what’ll it be?”
“Ladies first,” Nick insists, scouring the menu.
“I’ll have the—”
“Cowboy Burger?” Jase guesses for me.
“Yes.” I look up at him for the first time since the host stand, and his eyes, while dark, look a little red around them. Has he been crying? I shake it off. Jason Cole has only cried twice in his entire life: first was his dad’s funeral, and second …
“I’ll have the same.” Nick brings me back to the present.
“Great, they’ll be a few minutes,” Jase barks. He pulls the slip off his notepad to hang it in the kitchen window.
“All right, all right.” Molly beams from the bar. “Last call for trivia. We’ll be getting started in a few minutes.”
“You sure you’re up for this?” I check with Nick, who is already halfway out of the booth.
“Oh yes, Dailey. I have to see if you’re truly the Quizmaster you say you are.”
I grin. “I am.”
He chuckles. “All right, you hold the fort down, and I’ll go get us a paper.”
I can’t help the comfort I feel when I’m talking to Nick. It’s easy with him—fun, even. He almost makes me forget everything happening at work, home, and with Jase. Yet, when my gaze wanders, it’s Jase’s eyes that find mine from across the bar. He blinks them away, and the disappointment at the gesture slaps me in the face.
“Okay, we need a team name,” Nick warns. He slides the pen and paper across the booth.
“How about: ‘The Question Heirs?’” I beam.
Nick scratches his chin. “The Question Heirs,” he echoes, emphasizing each word.
“What do you think?”
He ponders. “I think … OH! The Question Heirs, like questionnaires?” A smirk tugs at his lips. “Guess you are pretty good at this. What’s your secret?”
I shrug. “I watch a lot of TV.”
“We’ll see if it helps us this round. For all we know, it could be a legal round or dumb laws round; then, I’m our guy.”
“Okay … we’re gonna get started,” Molly calls. “Don’t forget to put a team name at the top of your papers—the funnier, the better. First round: Sitcoms.”
Nick snickers. “You had to know what she was going to say?”
I raise my hands in surrender. “Honest to God, I did not, but most trivia nights do have a TV round.”
“I have got to get out more.”
Molly clears her throat. “Question 1: In Friends , when Phoebe drags Monica out to Karaoke night, what song does Monica sing?”
I write down Delta Dawn without consulting Nick.
He peeks at the paper. “I don’t even know what that song is.”
“Shh,” I whisper. “You can’t say something like that here.”
“At a bar?”
“No, this close to Music City,” I reply, like it’s obvious, which, to a Tennessean, it is.
Nick winks. “Got it.”
I put my hand on his. “Quick learner, huh?”
Jase plops the burgers down on the table and walks away without a word. Could he be any more of an asshole? I’m lost in Jase-hate thoughts as Molly reads question two. “Which actress played former Senator Selina Meyer, who became the first female Vice President of the United States.”
“It’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus.” I slide the paper and pen over to Nick. “Excuse me a minute; I have to head to the restroom.”
“Sure. How’s this?” He tips his fake hat.
“You nailed it.” I chuckle.
Nick smiles, evidently proud of himself.
I step out of the booth, watching my step and for any busybodies. The bar seems focused on Molly and not me, and anyone not paying attention to Molly is glued to the hockey game on TV over the whiskey display.
I turn the corner, and Jase comes out of the kitchen, double revolving doors slamming behind him.
“You.” Heat is coming out of my pores.
Jase crosses his arms. “Don’t you have a date to get back to?”
“Yes, I do, and it seems like you’re doing everything in your power to ruin it for me.”
“Not everything. ” He sighs.
“Jase!” He’s exhausting.
“Kay!” Jase calls back, eyes wide.
“Why are you doing this? We’re not together. We haven’t been together in a long time. I didn’t mess it up; you did!”
He expands his arms out like an eagle. “Yeah, you’re right. I did, but you don’t know the full story. Every time I talk to you, you go between biting my head off and looking like you’re going to kiss me.”
Busted. “I am not going to kiss you,” I all but shout.
Jase clicks his tongue on his cheek and inches closer. “So, why are you here, Kay? Of all the fancy places in Nash—why here? Why tonight, when I told you how busy we get after the race, when you knew I’d be here?”
I hang my head. “It wasn’t my choice.”
“Look at me, Kay.”
I do and find Jase close enough I can smell his intoxicating cologne. I breathe it in deep. It’s the same one he bought when he started playing football. He wore it at Homecoming and on the night we fell in love. He wore it the night we broke up … and all of it is too much to take.
“This was a mistake, I’m sorry.” I turn on my boot heels, but Jase reaches for my hand and spins me back around and into his arms.
His cool breath whispers in my ear. “What was a mistake?”
“This, all of it.” I blink in rapid succession, trying to avoid everything that is Jase—his beautiful eyes inspecting me, strong arms holding me, nostalgic cologne clouding my judgment, heart full of … I don’t know anymore.
“Close your eyes,” he orders.
“Jase,” I beg.
“Kay,” he echoes. “I’ve been waiting a really long time for this.”
“For what?” I whisper.
“This.” His lips close over me, reminding me of the incredible need I feel when I’m truly kissed by a man. I’m not talking a peck or soft kiss goodbye. I’m talking about holding on for dear life, feeling every heartbeat, palms getting sweaty and staying sweaty kind of kiss. I feel it and then some with Jase. Still. Even after all these years. The man has ruined me for all other men. Damn it, Jase .
There’s a tap into a mic, and I hear Molly in the distance announce she’s going to go through the answers to Round One.
Trivia.
Nick.
Fuckkkk .
I separate from his embrace as if a bucket of ice water was dumped on me.
“Wow.” Jase breathes heavier than before.
I shake my head and get my wits about me. “Oh my God, what did we do?”
Jase wiggles his eyebrows. “Want to do it again?”
“No, I shouldn’t have even done that . I’m on a date,” I retreat. “I … I have to go.”
He calls after me, but he doesn’t reach for me. If he would’ve, I’d have stayed.
“There you are!” Nick smiles as I approach the table. “So, great news, the answers you had were right, and I somehow got another couple right on my own. I think our team is in the middle of the pack right now.” His voice drops when he notices my face flushed and hair a bit out of place. “Are you okay?”
I swallow and grab my purse to pull some cash out for the table. “Can we go?”
“Of course,” he says. “Do you want a box for your burger?”
I shake my head. No. I don’t need any reminders of tonight.
“Okay, let’s go.” Nick puts his hand on my lower back as we head out.
Everything in me tells me to keep walking, but I glance over my shoulder and find Jase watching me, seeing me .
I want to run to him, but I grit my teeth, betray my heart, and walk away.