49. Chapter 49
Lydia
Nick insisted on driving me to dinner, which is fine with me. I like riding in his truck. I like the way he effortlessly reaches across the center console to hold my hand or rest his palm on my leg.
A few minutes later, we pull into the restaurant parking lot and he parks.
For a second, I think maybe he’s going to come in too, but he climbs out of his side and walks around to mine, opening my door.
I slide out of the truck, careful not to flash everyone within viewing distance, and turn to grab my purse.
As I do, Nick gently places his hand on my back, brushing it across my shoulders. I turn to look at him.
“I’m not going inside with you. I know better than to try to crash girls’ night.” He smirks, giving me a cute, crooked grin.
“I want you to have fun. Have a couple drinks.” He clears his throat, seeming almost nervous about what he’ll say next. “But I do plan to stay in the parking lot. I would feel better knowing I’m close by in case you need anything. We don’t even know if Simon is still around, but…”
I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss Nick on the cheek. “Thank you.”
With that, I turn to walk away, sparing him a small smile and a wink over my shoulder before opening the door and walking inside. I find Sam and Ellie as soon as I walk in and head over, smiling widely at them both.
“Hey, girls. Sorry I’m late.” I drape my purse across the back of my chair and slide in across from them. There’s already a basket of chips, some salsa, and guacamole in front of them.
“Hey, girl! Damn, you look hot. That dress is super cute!” Sam says. She herself looks stunning in a pair of distressed wide-leg jeans and a fitted cream-colored top.
“It really is. Where’d you get it?” Ellie asks. “I’d love to carry something like that in the boutique.” She’s wearing a floral boho top that somehow pairs perfectly with her patchwork denim. Both these women are so effortlessly beautiful.
“I’m actually not sure. Nick got it for me.” I can feel the blush start at my neck and creep into my hairline.
Both their eyes widen in surprise. Ellie is the first to speak, her disbelief evident as she rattles off questions in rapid succession.
“Nick? Nick Fulsom? The Nick Fulsom? The complete and total bachelor Nick? Are we talking about the same Nick? The one we’ve never, not once, seen with a woman since high school?” Her voice grows more incredulous with each question, her curiosity clearly piqued by this unexpected revelation.
I can’t help but laugh in response.
“How about we get some margaritas and you fill us in on all the juicy details?” Sam says, flagging down a waiter, a wicked grin playing across her lips.
Forty-five minutes later, we’ve each finished our first margarita, another basket of chips, and two bowls of salsa.
I filled them in on how Nick and I met, how we’ve been taking things slow because of my past relationship, and how, now that it’s officially over, we’ve decided to move forward together.
I didn’t give them the details on why I left Simon or how I later found out our marriage was never actually real.
Instead, I share the smallest pieces of why I came to live here.
Ellie and Sam are great, and I know one day I’ll tell them everything. But tonight isn’t the right time. We’re having fun, and I don’t want to bring the mood down.
When the server comes back and asks if we’d like another round, all three of us say yes.
“I think before those get here, I am going to run to the bathroom. Which way is it?” I ask the girls.
“Just behind us at the end of the hallway,” Ellie tells me, pointing toward the back of the restaurant.
I get up and head into the bathroom. I wash my hands, dry them, and toss the paper towel into the wastebasket.
When I look back in the mirror, I can’t help but appreciate my reflection.
My cheeks are flushed slightly from the tequila, my eyes bright and happy from all the laughing.
And the lighting in here is really good.
I pull out my phone and snap a cute, and hopefully a little sexy, selfie.
I glance at it, hesitating for half a second, but before I can overthink it, I send it to Nick.
I laugh softly at myself. Who even am I?
I have never once sent a selfie to a man.
But he makes me feel flirty and sexy. I love it.
Just as I reach for the door handle, my phone pings in my hand.
Nick: Damn, my girl is stunning.
I smile and start to type out a response.
As I unlock the door and step out, goosebumps break out across my neck. I immediately sense him there.
“Hi, Lydia. Did you miss me?”