Page 14 of Keep My Heart (The Haydon Falls #1)
‘That’s not it at all. He’s just being a friend.’
‘Maybe, but it doesn’t make sense for a guy who works like 100 hours a week to give up his time to help you date. Why wouldn’t he use that time to find a date for himself?’
‘Maybe he doesn’t want to date right now. Why are you acting like you don’t want me seeing him? Just last night you were telling me to sleep with him.’
‘But then I thought about it after you left and decided it wasn’t a good idea. You don’t even know Nick anymore. The small-town boy we grew up with is now a big city lawyer. Are you sure you can trust him?’
‘Diane, why are you saying this stuff about Nick? He was the nicest guy in our high school. He never got into fights. He always volunteered for stuff. He helped his dad with the orchard.’
‘That was 15 years ago. A person can change a lot in 15 years. Just look at Chris. You thought he was perfect back in high school and look how he turned out.’
‘I didn’t think he was perfect. I just couldn’t see his flaws because I wanted so badly for things to work out with us. He promised me this great life in the big city, someplace completely different than Haydon Falls, and I believed him.’
‘This town isn’t that bad. I actually like it.’
‘I like it too, but back then, Chris convinced me this place was boring and we’d be happier in a big city where there’s more to do. But then we got there and spent all our time at home.’
‘Chris should’ve taken you out,’ Diane says, sounding disgusted with him. ‘I can’t believe how much he changed after high school. He was always the life of the party and then he got married and didn’t want to leave the couch.’
‘Except when he went on his business trips ,’ I say, rolling my eyes. ‘Did he really think I wouldn’t notice all the debt he was racking up with his scams?’
‘Enough about him. We aren’t supposed to be talking about Chris.’ Diane turns to face me. ‘Going back to Nick, what exactly happened last night?’
‘I’m not sure I should tell you now that you think he’s doing this for the wrong reasons.’
‘He kissed you.’
I look away, trying to hold back the smile that desperately wants to appear.
‘He did, didn’t he? He kissed you.’
‘It was a date,’ I say, looking back at her. ‘It’s normal to kiss a girl on a date.’
‘Not a fake one,’ she scoffs. ‘I can’t believe he’d do this.’
‘Do what? Kiss me? Why is that wrong? ’
‘Because he’s pretending it’s fake when it’s not. He needs to be honest and stop making up excuses to go out with you.’
‘It’s not an excuse. Diane, I’m telling you, Nick is just being nice. He really wants to help me.’
She stares at me. ‘The guy who had a huge crush on you in high school is just helping you learn to date? Do you really believe that?’
‘He did not have a crush on me. He never even made a move on me.’
‘Because he didn’t think he had a chance with you. But now he’s rich, successful, and a lot better looking. Maybe he thinks now is his chance to get the girl he’s always wanted.’
I laugh. ‘That’s ridiculous.’ I swirl what’s left of my coffee around the bottom of the mug. ‘And what if it’s me that wants him?’
‘Do you?’
I smile. ‘Maybe.’ I let out a dreamy sigh.
‘Last night was so great. I was so into Nick that I barely even thought about Chris and the divorce. And when Nick and I talked, the hours just flew by. That never happened with Chris. We couldn’t even talk for ten minutes.
He had nothing to say and he got bored when I talked. ’
She slowly smiles. ‘Okay.’
‘Okay what?’
‘Okay, I’m going to support whatever this is between you and Nick, but I want you to be careful.’
‘I don’t need to be. Nick’s a great guy. He’s not going to hurt me.’
‘He better not. If he does, I’ll send Tom over there to beat him up.’
I roll my eyes. ‘Tom wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
‘Yeah, you’re right.’
‘Mommy, I found them!’ Leah yells, running outside with her ballet shoes.
‘Did you have breakfast?’
She shakes her head, her long blonde hair flying everywhere. ‘Go inside and have breakfast with Daddy.’
‘Leah, can I have a hug?’ I say to her. ‘I didn’t get to see you yesterday.’
She runs over and hugs me, then holds up her shoes. ‘I have to go to ballet.’
‘Okay, go ahead.’
She runs back into the house.
‘I should get going.’ I stand up. ‘You mind if I change clothes while I’m here? I don’t want to run back home.’
‘Go ahead.’ Diane gets up. ‘You can use the guest room. Your suitcase is by the door.’
As we walk back to the house, Diane holds onto my arm, stopping me. ‘I didn’t mean to be a downer about Nick. I just saw how excited you were about him and got concerned. I don’t want you getting your hopes up with someone you’re not actually dating.’
‘I’m not. I know this isn’t real. It’s just nice to be with a guy who actually wants to hang out with me. Last night when I was with Nick, I felt better than I have in years. He made me feel hopeful about finding someone.’
She smiles. ‘Tell him I said hi.’
‘I will.’
We go in the house and I change into a sundress and sandals. If I were going to breakfast with my mom or Diane, I’d throw on shorts and a t-shirt, but this is a date so I want to look nice.
I’m not going to worry about what Diane said about Nick’s motives.
Right now I need to feel good about myself so I have the confidence to date again, and Nick gives me that confidence.
The way he looked at me last night, and paid attention to me, held my hand, kissed me—it made me feel beautiful and desired, things I haven’t felt with Chris in years.
Last night, I even started to get excited about dating again, which is a huge deal since just a couple days ago I was dreading it.
When I get to Maury’s Chicken Roost, I see Nick waiting outside. His head is down as he texts someone on his phone. He’s wearing jeans and a white polo that fits tight against his chest. My pulse quickens just seeing him there and goes even faster as I approach him.
‘Hey, Nick.’ I stop just in front of him, a big smile on my face.
He glances up from his phone, blinking a few times as he takes a step back. ‘Wow. You look gorgeous.’ He smiles and pulls me in for a hug. I melt into his arms, inhaling his cologne, and wishing that this was real. A real date that might lead to more.