Chapter Two #2
Lottie nodded and watched the black and white movie playing on the screen, disappearing into another time where things were just as complicated as they were in the present, but at least someone would get a happy ending by the time the screen went black.
When Lottie had gotten home later that evening, her parents had barely noticed her absence, assuming she was still at school or with friends until nine o’clock at night.
Their indifference to her mattered less now that she had somewhere else to go.
That night had started a new tradition of movie watching, swapping stories, and visiting with Mrs. Griffin.
Occasionally some of the older woman’s friends and neighbors would join in which started another tradition.
After that night, Lottie stepped onto the path that would lead her to where she was now, staring into a throng of people.
As the crowd moved, so many costumes and familiar faces on display, her eyes were only able to focus on the one person in town determined to avoid her.
Looking over at the table where Nate joined his family, Lottie sighed, wishing more than anything that he could get out of his head and over his need to distance himself so much so they could just be together already.
Where Nate saw her as an irritation, an enemy of his peace of mind, Lottie saw him as her equal, the one person she felt could handle her eccentric way of dressing and need to know everything about everybody.
They were a perfect match, both too intense for their own good, and if he would just slow down long enough to let himself see that, she knew they would be great together.
They’d always made a good team, especially in high school where they fed off each other’s energy to get things done.
Lottie thought that all the late nights they’d spent working on the school paper or decorating for dances with the rest of the student council was bringing them closer together, and it had the night of graduation, but after losing her virginity to the man, it seemed there was to be nothing more between them.
It seemed Nate would forever see them as rivals and her as nothing more than a pest, an inconvenience.
This saddened her, but she would rather he see her as a nuisance than as nothing at all, so Lottie leaned into it, teasing him at every turn and generally putting herself in his pathway every chance she got.
It was a habit now, and even as she heard others shouting drink orders at her, Lottie automatically started mixing one for Nate just as she had done any time he showed up at the bar.
Grabbing some of Felix’s signature cider, Lottie added pears, apples, lemons, pomegranate seeds, whiskey, brandy, prosecco and a cinnamon stick to a glass before nodding to the other bartender on duty and making her way over to the table occupied by more people than would have been there a year ago.
It seemed that with the exception of Nate, every Kemp man was paired up and living their happily-ever-after.
Smoothing a hand down her costume skirt, Lottie smiled at the others before sliding Nate’s glass in front of him followed quickly by a basket of soft pretzels she knew were his favorite.
She knew everything there was to know about the man.
She’d known and been observing him long enough that the library in her mind had its own wing dedicated to him.
“Good evening, Mister Mayor.” She lightly bumped him with her hip, finally drawing his attention up and away from his phone. “Busy evening?”
Nate gave her a once over, the feel of his eyes on her making her shiver as it always did. She could feel passion, the fervor in his gaze like a physical touch as it swept up and down her body, but when his steely blue eyes met hers, there was nothing there but resigned annoyance.
“That’s none of your business,” he said gruffly. He took a sip of his drink and sighed, his tight shoulders slumping slightly as he leaned back in his chair.
Seeing the drink she’d made up just for him providing even the smallest bit of relaxation to the perpetually overworked man gave Lottie more satisfaction than she should derive from the simple gesture.
Everything in her ached to take care of him, but Nate had always made it abundantly clear that he never wanted anything from Lottie except her to leave him be. He was stubborn like that.
Nate looked over at her, a quizzical look on his face. “Did you need something?”
Lottie smiled flirtatiously and batted her lashes. “If that’s you finally offering yourself up to me, consider it a yes.” She held his gaze, hoping that he would finally give into the rightness that lay between them again so they could start a future together.
At the sight of Nate’s eye roll, Lottie’s heart sank. “I’ve told you a million times, Charlotte. I’m not granting you an interview.”
“Right.” Of course that’s what he would think she meant because he only saw her as the troublesome town reporter, nothing more. Lottie’s smile was strained as she looked around the table, nodding to her best friend Willa where she sat wrapped in the arms of her husband. “You all have a good night.”
Walking back to the bar, her own shoulders slumped in defeat, Lottie plastered on a smile for the customers, ignoring Nate as best she could, knowing the whole time that it was a useless endeavor.
She’d been unable to ignore him most of her life and didn’t see herself suddenly being able to anytime soon.