Page 25 of Who's Loving You

“Got it.” I hold up my hand to silence him. “Valentina is fine. No need for unnecessary nicknames. That makes it appear as if we are friends.”

The waiter picks the perfect time to come walking up to the table, saving me from this conversation.

The guys place a drink order and we all give him our food choices. Once the drinks are placed in front of us –Lucy and I with our refills, and Nico and Chase with sodas– we begin chatting, lightening the mood.

I talk mostly with Chase who seems like a real catch. For Lucy, of course. Not only does the guy look like theboy next-door, he has the personality to match. Sweet, a little shy, and small town manners taught by parents who may have used a switch to tan his hide if he stepped out of line. He’s just the kind of man my bestie needs.

Lord knows she’s picked enough losers to last a lifetime.

The night continues on and I find myself laughing at things Nico says. When he’s not being a bed hopping playboy, he’s actually quite funny. Or is it the margaritas that make him a comedian?

“Excuse me. I need the ladies room.” I push my chair back and stand up, but wobble on my feet.

“Woah. Are you sure you can make it by yourself, mi Reina?” Nico jumps from his chair and grips onto my arms to steady me.

God I wish he wouldn’t have done that. His hands are strong and feel nice on my arms. What’s worse is he smells amazing, like smoky whisky and vetiver. Let’s not even talk about the swirls of brown in his eyes that flicker under the neon lights of the restaurant.

“I’ll go with her. I could use a freshen up myself.” Lucy grabs my hand and guides me through the tables.

“How are you not drunk right now?” People look a little fuzzy and my heels suddenly feel difficult to walk in.

“Because I’ve had two margaritas and food, while you’ve had four and a few nibbles of your plate. C’mon. Let me help you and then I’ll drive you home.”

I stop just before entering the ladies room and pet her cheek. “You’re the best friend in the whole world, Lucy Summers. If we’re not married when we’re thirty-five, can we marry each other?”

“Sure, babe. I’d be happy to be your little housewife.You know I’d quit working while you made the big bucks, right?”

“Anything for you pookie.”

Lucy helps me to the restroom, making sure I don’t fall over on the toilet, then walks me back to the table.

“I think we’re going to go. Val needs some rest. I’ll find the waiter so we can pay.” Lucy swivels her head, looking for our waiter.

“We got it,” Chase tells her. “We inserted ourselves into your night, so we thought it only fair to treat.”

Lucy’s cheeks turn rosy and she smiles, biting her lip in a non-seductive way. Just cute.

“Did you drive here, separately?” Nico asks and I immediately groan.

“Yes.” I drop my head and realize that was a bad idea.

The floor moves as if on a treadmill and I can’t stop it.

“We’ll leave my car here. No biggie. I can get it in the morning.”

Chase stands and knits his brow together. “I don’t like that idea. Something could happen to it. What if I drive you home?”

Now Lucy’s lip bite is sayingcome on over, big boy.

“I shouldn’t. Val–”

“Can get an Uber,” I tell her, but Nico has a response of his own.

“I’ll drive her home. Chase, are you cool to hang with Lucy for a bit until I get Valentina home and catch a ride back here to get my car?”

“Of course.”

“I can drive, actually. I feel fine. My body can handle alcohol a lot better than that supermodel over there.”She waves her hand up and down her body and Chase’s eyes follow the hourglass figure.