He was Nick. And I’d have been lying if I’d told Ella that I wasn’t interested in him.
Even though I knew I shouldn’t be.
“This was fun,” Nick said as we walked side by side around the bar, following the stone laid path on the side of the building that led to the parking lot. “Thanks for coming out with me.”
“Sure,” I replied, looking up at his profile. He caught me looking and smiled down at me. “This was the best non-date I’ve been on in a long time.”
Nick laughed. “When was the last time you went on a real date?”
“A real date, huh?”
Nick nodded. “Yup. Candlelit dinner. Flowers. The whole nine yards.”
“God, I don’t even know.” Nick arched a brow at me. Obviously suspicious. “I’m serious. I haven’t dated anyone since I moved here. I’m always at the shop.”
“Hmm. I’m not sure I’m buying your story, Carly. I’m sure there’s a list of guys waiting to take you out.”
I snorted. “You have noticed that most of the locals are AARP members, right?”
“Are you always this impossible to compliment?” He asked, smirking down at me.
“It’s part of my charm.” I cut my gaze down to the steps ahead of me. “What about you? You leave a string of broken hearts back in Fallon when you left?”
Nick chuckled. “Hardly. It’s been about six months since my last proper date.”
“Six months? That’s not so bad. What happened?”
I looked over at him, waiting for his answer, but he just shrugged it off. “Nothing, really. Just didn’t work out. Fallon is a small community, mostly military and their families. Even though I worked at a bar the past few months, there wasn’t a hopping singles scene. The girl I took out was the cousin of a buddy of mine who’d come to visit for a week. He wanted to take her out for a good time, so I agreed to double with him and his wife. The girl was from the other side of the country and there was never really any potential there.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say. There were plenty of available girls in Holiday Cove and the surrounding areas—especially when summer was just around the corner. There would be a lot of tourists coming into town to see the museum and while most of them were just in town for the day, they were likely staying in a neighboring town and readily available if Nick wanted them.
Nick crossed the parking lot and beat me to the passenger door. He opened it for me, a victorious smile in his eyes, and after I climbed inside, he shut it softly and rounded the truck to get into the driver’s seat. “Is your car at The Siren?” he asked, firing up the engine and starting back the way we came.
I shook my head. “No. I walk to work actually. So, if you wouldn’t mind dropping me at home.”
“No problem.” He reached for the center dial. “You want some music?”
“Sure.”
“What kind do you like? I haven’t learned the stations yet.”
I took the controls and flipped to the soft rock station. They played stuff from the 80s and before I knew it, Nick and I were both singing along. Nick beat out the percussion on the steering wheel, occasionally sliding a smile my way, as we flew down the highway back to Holiday Cove. We were having so much fun, laughing and making fun of each other that I almost forgot to point out the exit.
He dropped the volume as we entered the residential neighborhood, not wanting to piss anyone off, and I pointed to my street. “I’m down this way.”
He turned where I’d indicated and immediately slammed on the brakes.
I screamed at the abrupt stop, but more because of the reason behind it.
Someone was stumbling across the street and hadn’t even stopped to look both ways. We’d nearly plowed them over. Nick tapped his horn to get their attention. “Shit!”
The person turned at the sharp beeping sound.
“Oh my God!” I clapped my hands to my mouth.
It was Alesha.
I jumped out of the truck and raced over to her as she made her way to the sidewalk. “Alesha, what the fuck!”
Nick’s door slammed and he reached us with three long strides.
“Hey, Sis!” Alesha slurred, throwing her arms in the air as though I’d just arrived to the party. “I was looooking for you…forgot my…” She paused and patted at the pockets of her nearly non-existent denim shorts. “Forgot my keys.”
Every nerve in my body was on red alert, sizzling with anger. “Are you drunk?” I hissed.
Her eyes wandered over to Nick and a giant grin split her face as she realized he was there too. “Nick! I forgot my keys!”
“Do you need help getting her to the house?” Nick asked me, ignoring Alesha entirely.
I shook my head. “No. I’ve got it. Thanks for the ride.”