One Last Time(72)
“He just said she wasn’t going to dinner with them. Finn was relieved, and Aubrey couldn’t care less.”
Nicole laughs. “I swear, she shits sunshine and farts glitter. That girl is the happiest person I’ve ever met. I’m going to beat whoever it is that makes her the slightest bit sad.”
Aubrey is really her own source of anti-depressants. There’s very little that makes her sad, she finds the good in everything. “It’ll be a boy,” I tell her.
“And I’ll kill him.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
Nicole points back to the paper. “You better get to work.”
I groan and drop my head on my arm. “I hate this. Nothing seems interesting because he’s so much more than I can put into words. He’s sweet, loving, has this big heart, and I love him.”
“Doesn’t hurt that he’s well equipped in the peen department.”
That would be what she goes back to. However, she isn’t wrong. “Truth.”
My phone dings, and I’m sure it’s Scott telling me he’s on his way.
Noah: My hotel overlooks the aquarium, and all I can think about is Aubrey needing an animal for her collection.
I smile at the fact that he’s thinking of us.
Me: She does NOT need more, but I need you to come back sooner rather than later.
* * *
Noah: My master plan is succeeding.
* * *
Me: Oh, yeah? What exactly is your plan?
* * *
Noah: I’ll never tell.
I start to type back a response but can feel Nicole’s eyes watching me. “What?” I ask her.
“Nothing. It’s cute watching you get all starry-eyed when he texts you. Do you guys sext? Can I see?”
“No, we don’t sext!” I shake my head with a laugh.
“Why the hell not?”
She’s insane. “Because I’m not seventeen.”
“Your loss. Just ask him for a dick pic then.”
Sometimes it’s best to ignore her.
I look back to the screen, wanting to ask him a million questions. Since our night together, we’ve barely had two minutes to catch up. He’s been in back-to-back meetings, and the three-hour time difference has done nothing to help with the lack of communication. Really, there’s only one thing I want to know. The rest we can figure out when he gets here.
Me: When are you coming back to Tampa?
* * *
Noah: Soon, sweetheart. I know the timing sucks, but I need to be here right now. Trust me, I’d much rather be there with you.
Soon sucks. I want him here now. However, I’m not going to make him feel bad when he clearly has to work.
Me: Fine, I guess I’ll forgive you this once.
* * *
Noah: This one time, huh?
* * *
Me: Well, you’re not just some average Joe.
I giggle at the fact that his name really is Joseph.
Noah: Are you sure about that? I did tell you my real name was Joseph.
* * *
Me: This is true, Mr. Bowman, and I appreciate you telling me everything about your past. I know we haven’t talked about the accident since that night, but I’m glad I found out from you.
* * *
Noah: You will always hear the truth from me first. It wasn’t easy telling you, but I wanted you to know about Tanya. I need to run. I love you, Kristin.
* * *
Me: I love you, too.
I put the phone down with a huge grin. I never in a million years thought I’d be in love like this. I didn’t know it even existed. Now, I don’t ever want to be without it.
“You’re as bad as Heather now.”
“You’ll find a man who makes you feel like this, and then you’ll understand.”
He’s out there. She just has to find him.
She flips me off in typical Nicole fashion. “So I can be like you two? No thanks. Heather took a leave of absence to follow him around. You’re over here practically glowing from a text message, and I’m getting double time with twins . . . who is living the life?”
As much as she likes to play the single and loving life card, I remember not all that long ago when she was broken. I take her hand in mine. “I love you, Nic. I think you’re the bravest woman I know. Not many could go through the hell you have and still be standing, but love isn’t a weapon. Real, true, honest love is precious and can heal the damage others have done. Don’t give up on it.”
The iron curtains she works so hard to hide behind shift, and I catch the pain in her eyes. As quickly as it appears, it’s gone. She pulls her hand back and looks away. “I’m better like this.”
Nicole wants to be loved. No matter what she says, that need is engrained in us. It sucks that the one time she took a chance on it, it broke her.