Nese #2
Enough of this. How about checking out the newest issue of Vogue? That always gets me out of a funk.
After a quick shower, I put on a pair of jeans and immediately am transported back to helping Coop purchase new ones. That’s over and done with. I’ll only see him in The Closet and onstage. Get a grip.
Locking up, I walk to the neighborhood’s only bookstore a few blocks away.
In the magazine section, I pick up the most recent issue of Vogue, which features stars on the Oscars’ red carpet.
Where I was. I flip through the pages, recognizing the people being photographed.
There’s even a spread about the bands who were nominated for best song.
My gaze lingers on UC. To be honest, it stopped at Coop and didn’t move.
He wore Versace better than the hottest model.
I slam the magazine shut. Then slip it into my bag.
I need to relax. I wander through the cooking, gardening, and romance sections—a girl needs some romance on the road!
—and add a few additional reads to my bag, ending up in the New Age section.
My fingers travel through several spines, stealing down titles about Zen and Buddhism.
I stop on a book by one of Coop’s favorite authors and pull it off of the shelf.
The front of the book proclaims it’s signed by the author.
I flip it open, and sure enough, there’s his signature. I drop it into my basket.
After paying, I return to my room and dump my full bag onto the floor. I spend time scouring the new magazine, then read the back covers of all the books. The Zen one looks pretty interesting, even if it does touch on religion.
The front door opens. Noah yells, “Anyone home?”
“I’m in my room,” I reply.
Shortly, he stands at the threshold, arms high above on the doorframe. “Hey. I’m happy work is over.” I nod. “Is anyone else here?”
“Nope. Only us two until Alexis gets off work. Owen told me he’ll join up with us at the bar later.”
His eyebrows raise then lower. “Wanna have some fun?”
I know what he means, and it isn’t playing checkers.
Do I want to have sex again with Noah? Before, I’d be down for whatever.
Now, though, he doesn’t do it for me. Perhaps it’s his hair that hasn’t seen a barber for too long—maybe it’s his facial hair that’s moved from stubble to growly—or it could simply be he’s not… stop it, Nese!
“I would love to, but I’m expecting a call from work. Sorry!”
“Next time.” He pushes away from the doorway. “In that case, I’m going to take a shower so I’ll be out of the bathroom when Alexis gets here.”
“Sounds good.” Alone, again, in my bedroom, I close the door. What is wrong with me? I should’ve hooked up with him. Coop can’t be the last guy I’ve slept with—I have to break this cycle. Maybe someone at the bar will catch my attention?
A text arrives from Jenna:
Jenna:
How are you doing? Missed you at the rental the other night.
I’m enjoying my time back home! It’s great being with my roommates and going to my old haunts.
Am I laying it on too thick? Nah. It is fun seeing everyone, although… I kinda wish it were time for UC’s tour to resume. Not to see Coop or anything, of course—it just would be nice to live in the bubble a while longer.
JENNA:
Happy you’re having a good time. Can’t say the same for Coop, though. He was over last night and being totally mopey. He misses you!
I doubt it.
JENNA:
Was it your idea to return to GA?
Ibetter end this thread now. So what if Coop was “mopey”?
Yup - I bought the ticket and I’m thrilled to be back! See you next week when we go Down Under!
With renewed determination, I don a pair of skinny black jeans, high heels, and a sexy, sparkly top.
I take one step and immediately regret my footwear choice.
Kicking off the stilettos, I opt for ballerina flats that are cute, although not as “on the prowl” as the others.
Seriously? Coop is cock-blocking me across the continent—but for his Range Rover, I wouldn’t have hurt my ankle. Damn him!
The front door opens again and Alexis yells, “Give me twenty and I’ll be ready to celebrate Nese’s return!”
However short lived. I pick up my red lipstick. “Sounds good!” Ensuring my makeup is flawless, I meet up with Alexis and Noah in the living room. Who both are wearing t-shirts and worn blue jeans. “Oh la la,” Alexis comments. “Fancy!”
Defending myself, I reply, “I wanted to look nice.”
“You sure do,” Noah says. “How was your call?”
Remembering the lie I told him to get him out of my room earlier, I shrug my shoulders. “It was good. Got the instructions for next week’s trip.” Luke sent them via email last week, but Noah doesn’t need to know this.
“Ready?” Alexis asks.
“Definitely!” I secure my purse around my shoulder. “Let’s go.”
We walk next door to the bar, which has a jukebox. I order us beers and bring them to the table Noah snagged. “Nice seat.” He beams at me as I pass out the drinks. Not my preferred pomegranate martini, but this place doesn’t make them.
Alexis joins us and not a minute later “Refocused Destiny” begins to play. “Remind you of anything?”
Yeah. The Oscars. Watching UC perform this song at all the gigs, from backstage. Dressing them. Dressing Coop. “I might have heard it a time or two.” For good measure, I toss my head back and laugh, then gulp some beer.
A few people stop at our table, apparently known to both Noah and Alexis. They talk about stuff around the neighborhood, things I would’ve known a year ago. Not now. They try to bring me into their conversation but it’s hard to concentrate.
A guy in a nice leather jacket (even if it is from a collection that came out two years ago) sits next to me. About six foot tall. Good, he’s taller. Short light brown hair. Which I overlook.
“Hi there. I like your style.”
I smile. He seems promising. “Thanks.” I touch his leather-clad arm. “I like yours too.”
“Haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new in town?” He notices I reach for my nearly empty glass and motions for the server to bring me another.
“Newly returned,” I correct him. “Been away for about a year.”
Two beers are dropped off. “I doubt anything much has changed.” He takes a swig from the bottle. “What do you do?”
“I’m in the fashion industry. You?” I sip from my second beer. Tastes like the first.
“I work in marketing.” A song by The Light Rail comes on and I start to bop in my seat. “Want to dance?”
“Sure.” This seems promising. We make our way over to the makeshift dancefloor by the jukebox and raise our arms in the air to the lyrics of “Hurts Good.”
Next, a slow song by Hunte plays. He takes me in his arms and we sway in time to the beat. In my ear, he murmurs, “This is nice.”
It is.
Pasted against his front, his body feels good.
I lean back and gaze into his hazel eyes.
Oh hell no! Between the hair and the eyes, it’s like I can’t get away from Coop!
It doesn’t matter that Jenna called him “mopey.” I can’t get it on with a guy who shares way too many of the same characteristics with the damn guitarist.
When the song ends, I excuse myself for the restroom, snagging Alexis when I pass her.
“Looks like you’re having fun,” she notes.
If only he didn’t look too much like a certain guitarist. “Yeah, it’s not going to work out though.”
One eyebrow quirks. “Why? He seems like a good time.”
“I know. He is a nice guy.” I sigh. “I’m just not into him. How about you hang with him? He seems more your type.”
She adds more lip gloss. “Only if you’re really not interested. Not breaking the roommate code, even if you’ve been away for a year.”
“Thanks.” I hug her. “Go ahead. I’m going to slip out.” She gives me a nod, and I leave via the back entry.
So much for a big night out.