38. Chapter 38
Lydia
In the week following me learning of Simon’s slimy deception, I’ve thought less about him and more about the man sitting across from me.
We have spent practically every day and night together since then, and my world has never felt so right.
I take another sip of my coffee to cover the goofy grin spreading across my face.
“What are you smiling at, pretty girl?” Nick asks, not even having to look up from the newspaper he picked up this morning when he left to grab us both coffees before heading to work.
“How’d you know I was smiling? You didn’t even look up,” I say, the smile evident in my voice.
Nick looks up at me through his dark, full lashes I am ridiculously jealous of.
“I know you pretty well. And right now you’re trying to hide a great big grin behind that coffee cup.
It seems you’re just as goofy happy as I am these days,” he says, reaching across the table and lifting my hand to his lips to brush a small kiss across my knuckles.
Sweet gestures are the norm for this man, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to them.
I relish the way my heart seems to stutter when he kisses me softly, or when I get a “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” text out of nowhere.
He’ll show up with flowers. He’ll get my favorite coffee.
He’ll turn up at the bookstore with a burger and fries from the diner after I mention I’m not going to be able to leave for lunch.
So far, he is pretty damn close to perfect.
Keeping hold of my hand, Nick folds up the newspaper.
“Can I make you dinner tonight? At my place?”
“At your house?”
So far, we have spent most of our time here either lounging on the couch or tangled up in the sheets.
Or in the shower. Twice. Why does going to his house for dinner feel like we are taking another step forward?
We have had nearly all our meals together recently.
Him offering to make me dinner at his place shouldn’t feel like such a big deal, but it does.
To me, it means he’s comfortable enough to share his space with me.
He wants to bring me more into his world.
“Yeah, at my house. I’d love to show you where I live. I should’ve asked you sooner.” He chews on his bottom lip, something I’ve noticed he does when he’s nervous. In this instance, I don’t think he is nervous about me being in his home, but about the possibility of me saying no.
“I’d really like that. What can I bring?” I ask.
“Not a thing. Leave it all to me. I’ll be by to get you around five. Does that work?” He gives my hand another small kiss before gently letting it go.
“Yep, five is good. I get off at the shop today at three. Are you sure I can’t bring anything?”
“Maybe an overnight bag?” he asks, giving me the sweetest wink as he walks toward the door and slips his jacket on.
“Sounds good. I’m sure I’ve got a ratty pair of sweats you haven’t seen yet.” I shrug, following him.
“Ooh, yes please. Make sure they’ve got some stains and a few holes in them too.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me suggestively.
I laugh, grabbing both sides of his jacket in my hands. I reach up on my tiptoes, smacking a hard kiss to his lips. “Be careful what you wish for, Fulsom.”
I turn around and start walking back to the kitchen, glancing over my shoulder just in time to see him shamelessly checking me out in my oversized T-shirt and panties. I give him my best coquettish wink and turn back around, hearing his deep, throaty laugh as he walks out the door.
I’ve been at the bookstore for a few hours, and I’m now organizing a display of new arrivals. The bell rings over the front door and I peer up from the small table.
Making my way to the front of the store, I find Sam and Ellie standing there, checking out the romantasy display I set up this morning. They both turn when they see me walking toward them.
“Lydia! We’re so glad you’re here. We were hoping we’d catch you working today. How are you?”
They step toward me at the same time, each giving me a light, friendly hug.
I’ve never really had girlfriends before, so the interaction should make me uneasy. But the laid-back smiles and warmth from them both immediately put me at ease. I hug them back, smiling. Have they come in to see me?
My first instinct is suspicion. Old habits die hard, I guess. But I brush it off quickly, deciding I’m just happy to see them.
“I’m great. How are you girls? Are you book shopping?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“I feel like I’m always needing new books, but I got a Kindle a few months ago, so I’ve mostly been using that.
But this is a series I’ve never heard of, and the covers are stunning.
I think I may need them just to display on my bookcase!
” Ellie says, a little more animated than Sam, talking loudly with her hands.
“Would that be silly? I don’t care.” She reaches out and grabs the three new titles I’ve been wanting to read myself. “I’m getting them anyway.”
She places the books on the counter, tossing a couple of stickers on top of them too. I laugh and step behind the counter to ring up her purchases.
“As much as I would love to spend endless amounts of time picking out more books to shamelessly add to my Tbr, I have to get back to the store in a little bit,” Sam says.
“We popped in to see if you want to have dinner with us tomorrow for girls’ night.
We can get margaritas! I don’t know if you’ve been to the Mexican place here in town yet, but they have the best chips and salsa. ”
“And their margaritas are as big as my head. And they’re soooo good,” Ellie adds, rolling her eyes back dramatically.
Sam laughs at her before turning back to me.
“What do you say? Wanna come hang out with us for girls’ night tomorrow? Please say yes!” She clasps her hands in front of her and sticks out her lip in a dramatic pout. Ellie immediately copies the expression.
I can’t help but laugh at them.
“I would love to. I haven’t had a good margarita in forever. What time?”
Even as I say it, I’m already mentally flipping through my closet, trying to figure out what I can wear.
Once we’re finished chatting about the evening, I finish ringing up Ellie’s books and place them in a cute tote bag. She smiles at me from across the counter.
“Yay! Meet us there at six. I have to get back to work now, and so does Ellie, though she’ll probably just park herself in a chair with her new books once she gets there.”
Ellie doesn’t even try to hide her shrug and smile as she’s pulled out the front door. “See you tomorrow, Lydia!”
I wave back at the girls as they go. Is this really my life?
I’ve only been in town for a short while, and somehow I have a guy who looks at me like I hung the moon, and now I have girlfriends to have “girls’ nights” with?
This is so foreign and new to me. I can’t wipe the smile from my face.
I move around the bookstore for the rest of the afternoon, arranging and rearranging new book displays. I’m not sure how long this feeling will last, but I am determined to enjoy it while it does.
Leaving work this afternoon, I feel lighter and happier than I was a couple of months ago, something I never thought would be possible. I pull out my key to unlock my front door, surprised to find it already unlocked. That’s weird.
I am sure I locked it behind me when I left for work this morning. Maybe I was so blissed out by Nick’s visit I forgot? I shrug it off and start to walk inside when I hear someone shouting my name.
I step back and look toward Rita’s house to see the tiny woman making her way toward me as quickly as her legs will allow, while wearing her silver metallic leggings. There’s a concerned look on her face that immediately puts me on edge.
“What’s wrong, Rita? Slow down, everything’s okay.” I usher her to sit down on the porch swing.
She looks up at me, her eyes full of distress.
“There was a man here earlier. I was sitting on my porch, so I don’t think he saw me watching him, but he knocked on your door a few times.
When you didn’t answer, he somehow got it unlocked and went inside.
I tried to call you, but you never answered.
Were you expecting someone? I know you’ve been spending some time with Nick Fulsom, and I want full details on that later, but this wasn’t him.
He was skinny. Kind of nerdy looking. Blonde hair. ”
She searches my eyes, waiting to understand.
My blood turns cold.
I can’t speak. I can’t catch my breath. I’m afraid my legs might give out. Even though Rita is sitting directly in front of me, she blurs entirely.
How?
How has he done it? I’ve been so careful, but it wasn’t enough.
Simon has found me.