Love At First Hate (Love At Firsts Book 2)(46)

Nate and I are in a taxi, driving us to our hotel to start our festivities. I’m sure we’ll be separated until tomorrow, but I feel like we both need some time to reflect on what happened. So much has happened since the airport. Not only physically, but what was said, it’s crazy.

The craziest is that Nate feels the same way as I do, which is reassuring and terrifying. It’s reassuring for obvious reasons, but it’s terrifying me because it means we both have the power to hurt each other, even if we wouldn’t want to. That’s the part I don’t like about relationships, knowing you could hurt someone deeply and ruin something good.

“What’s on your mind?” He chuckles.

“You’re asking that way too much.” I shake my head laughing.

“I know, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve asked that to each other today.”

“Me too and I’m alright, just thinking about us.”

“What about us?” Worry laces his voice.

“Nothing bad, babe. Don’t worry. I’m just wondering where things will go between us.”

“Where do you want them to go?”

“Very far. I really like you, Nate. I don’t want this to be just a holiday fling.”

“Neither do I.”

“That’s one thing less to worry about.” I chuckle.

“What else is worrying you?”

“It’s something I have all the time so it’s not just related to you. I have this fear of having the power to hurt each other while in a relationship. You know, you’re with someone, sharing your life, but there’s always that worry of what if you hurt them and break something good?”

“You can’t think that way. It is like that for every relationship, but it’s not something that should rule your life.”

“I know.” I blow out a breath.

“Were you feeling that way with your exes?” he asks, and I know I have to tell him the truth.

“Not with Spencer, it was just casual sex. With John it was only in the beginning, things turned to shit after that, and I didn’t care.”

“So that means you’re really into me,” he says with a smug grin.

“Oh f*ck off.” I laugh.

“I knew it, I’m irresistible.”

“I created a monster.” We both laugh.

“If I can butt into your conversation, you really shouldn’t let the worry of possibly hurting the other get to you. You’ll stop yourself from living in the moment, and that’s when things turn to shit. I don’t know your story, but I’d say you’re pretty close to each other and are in love with each other. You seem like the perfect couple. Don’t let silly worries break what you have. Life is too short to have that kind of worry. Have fun in Hawaii. Spend this week experiencing life together then go back to your normal life feeling refreshed and leave your worry here,” our driver says shocking me into silence. Am I the reason why things went to shit with John? Did I stop worrying and things went downhill after that?

“You’re right, man,” Nate says to the driver.

“Dammit,” I mutter under my breath.

“Annoying when someone else is right huh?” our driver teases.

“Yeah, more than you can imagine.” I chuckle.

“Things might have changed with John, but from what you’ve told me, he’s not innocent in all of it. Don’t kick yourself about it. Besides, had you not dumped him, we wouldn’t be together.” Nate shrugs.

“Oh, we would. I would have dumped him for you the minute we started flirting.” I chuckle.

“That’s new.” He smirks.

“How long have you two been together?” the driver asks.

“Depends,” I scoff.

“On?”

“Well, we’ve known each other for over a year, have been flirting since January and have really been physically together since last night. So you take your pick.” I chuckle.

“Fair enough. It seems like you’ve been together for longer than twenty-four hours. All that flirting has probably made you closer and started the relationship.”

“It did. He’s my first too, which makes it all the more special.” Nate smiles and makes me swoon.

“You two really make the perfect couple. This is you,” he says parking the taxi in front of a beautiful hotel. “It’ll be thirty-seven dollars. If you need a taxi while you’re here, here’s my card.” He hands it to me as I hand him a fifty-dollar bill.

“You can keep the change, and we’ll give you a call for sure. Have a good night.” I get out of the taxi with Nate.

“You too.” He waits for us to get our suitcases and drives away.

“Are you going to listen to his advice?” Nate asks me.

“Yes, I think I will.” I smile at him, and we walk into the hotel, hand in hand, wheeling our suitcases behind us.

When we first get in, the hotel is magnificent. It’s luxurious and buzzing with people. It smells of vacation and happiness.

We’re about to walk to the reception when someone jumps on me, nearly knocking me down.

“What the hell?” I pull away and see it’s Haven. “What the hell is wrong with you, woman?” I laugh and hug her.