Chapter One
Everything True
Nicole
Excitement tickled through me, every muscle in my stomach trembling as I straightened the hem of my skirt.
Little-kid shouts drifted from the playground, and a breeze rustled the trees, relieving the humidity, the sun warm on my shoulders.
I bit my lower lip, a ridiculous smile pulling at my lips.
I hadn’t anticipated anything in months.
Instead, I’d been uncomfortable at home, watching Dan come and go and squirming at the awfulness of what I’d done, how it had caused him harm.
Then I’d been embarrassed at work because somehow everybody knew.
And of course, I’d been enmeshed in Elizabeth’s disaster.
I’d felt better once I’d blocked Allison and stopped going to Sunday dinner at Grandma’s. Grandma wasn’t going to pick me over her, so I stayed home.
And laid low in town as much as I could because Allison was mean when she wanted to be. She was mad about being arrested, although I hadn’t told her to take those photos from Dan’s phone and use them to cover up her fooling around with someone else’s boyfriend.
She didn’t want to take responsibility for anything, just like Elizabeth, posting that video of Jase and insisting he deserved it. So I laid low and figured out a few things . . .
Like I needed better friends.
And I didn’t want to end up in handcuffs.
Plus I never wanted my parents looking at me with deep disappointment like this again.
Still, I was lonely, though, because I had no other friends and turns out no one wanted to make friends with a liar.
And they sure didn’t want to date one.
Not that being alone was anything new. I mean, I’d been alone with Allison and Elizabeth, too. Other women gave us a wide berth, and when we were out, men flocked around them and ignored me.
So winning Holly Calvert’s blind date photography session seemed fortuitous. Maybe she’d match me with someone who might see me, not what I’d done or my cousin or my best friend.
“Hey!” Holly’s bright smile rivaled the sunlight pouring light rays through the tall, white clouds.
I’d only met her a few times as adults – she’d been a few years ahead of me in school, then I’d been at Southern.
Plus, she was close friends with Tick, and Allison hated her for that, so we always avoided her.
She was bubbling and sparkling, though, like champagne, and I relaxed. “Hey.”
“I’m so excited for this.” With her camera slung around her neck, blonde hair in a ponytail that shone against her black t-shirt and leggings, she waved a black satin sleep mask at me. “Y’all are going to be so cute. Are you ready?”
I flexed my hands, palms sweaty, so I flapped them to dry the clamminess. I didn’t want to shake hands with him with damp palms. “Sure.”
With the eyemask in place, she settled her hands on my shoulders and steered me as we walked a short distance. I stumbled once, heels sinking into the grass. Maybe they hadn’t been the best idea.
Still, a giddy smile stretched my lips so wide my cheeks ached. My hair would fluff over the mask’s elastic band, but that was okay. I’d made sure I didn’t smudge my lipstick. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and a warmth that might be hope bloomed in my chest.
With gentle hands, Holly slowed me to a stop and turned my body.
My back brushed a solid male form, and I shivered.
I could feel each of his breaths, and Lord, he smelled amazing – warm, clean, a hint of aftershave mixed with starch and fresh grass.
I inhaled deeply, brows pinching together.
That smell was a little familiar . . . was he someone I’d met?
Swallowing a nervous giggle, I smoothed my skirt. I thought I looked okay, a white tank over a denim skirt with my red heels. Please let him like me.
The camera exploded with a series of small clicks. “Okay, y’all can turn around and take the masks off.”
With a deep breath, I put on a big smile and spun, pulling off the satin mask.
Oh, no.
He froze, mask half off his head, gimme cap askew atop his dark honey-toned short hair. His grin disappeared, the hand holding a bouquet of flowers dropping to his side.
“Well, shit.”
Find Everything True Here.