Whiskey and Country

16

DAHLIA

“Who’s watching Jack tonight?” my girlfriend Addison asked as we sat on the deck, having breakfast as my little boy played with his wooden blocks beside us.

“Paula’s niece.” Paula was the nanny. A woman in her early sixties who was head over heels in love with my baby boy. “Carter will pick up Jack later and drive him to his place, and she’ll meet him there. I’m lucky he’s still in town. It all kinda fits, the dates and everything. Jack and he are spending a couple of days together before Cart has to leave.”

“You guys are doing a great job with Jack.”

God, I loved my family. It wasn’t typical, but it was us. Carter and Dahlia, grown-up and messy, raising a child together.

“Mama often says she isn’t surprised we make it work and that it suits us.”

“I agree. You guys are my idols. Always have been. Jack is lucky to have you two.” I sighed. Yep. Everything about Carter and me raising Jack together made sense. At least it did to us. “Are you nervous?”

I shrugged. “About tonight? Not really. I’m more excited than anything. Introducing Nick to everybody would be much more stressful. They will assume we’re dating. Not that I care, though. But I don’t want him to feel pressured or left out. We’re a pretty close-knit circle.”

Addi lifted her eyebrows. “Oh yeah, the mysterious man you’ve been seeing. I can’t wait to meet him.”

I sighed. “Already told ya. We’re not seeing each other. It’s more like a new exploratory friendship.”

“Exploratory? What does that even mean? Is it a secret code word for oral? Dah, are you finally getting amazing sex? Is that guy just tipping your world out of its axis with his incredibly skillful tongue?”

My friend shut her lids and poked her tongue out, kissing the air. I face-palmed, watching her antics, and we both burst into a fit of laughter.

“Addi. No. I’m not. Too soon. Stop doing that. You look ridiculous. And it’s disturbing. Are you sure you’ve grown up in the last decade? Gosh.” I shook my head. “Exploratory means exactly what it sounds like. Let’s say we’re getting to know each other. Minus the sex. For now. Anyway, we went on just two dates, if you include the lunch on the day we met. Don’t get ahead of yourself. He’s new in town. I’m just being his friend.”

“Yeah, yeah, friends.”

I lifted both my hands between us. “I swear. You’ll be the first to know if I dive into a serious relationship. It’s been so long. I feel rusty. Don’t know how to date as an adult. It never happened before. Jeff passed away when I was twenty. It will take some time to get accustomed to the idea.”

Addison’s gaze stayed fixed on me as she brought her cup of tea to her lips. “Okay, I hear ya. Why are you nervous then? It’s no big deal if you’re just being his good good friend. Unless”—she lowered the mug to the table—“unless you like like him.” She made a kissing sound with her mouth.

I threw a balled napkin at her. “Stop being annoying, girlfriend. I’m not ready to date. Let’s say we’re just enjoying each other’s company.”

Addi tilted her head back, and another fit of laughter bubbled out. “Yeah. Tell yourself that. After three years, you’re more than ready for a man to rock your world, and your bed, Dah. I feel the change in you. And I can tell you like like this Nick guy.”

With my hands covering my face, I laughed too.

“Okay, fine. He’s nice. And hot. Funny and smart. The truth is, I wanna be able to open my heart to love again. I’ve missed the rosy blush of a new relationship. I love the tingles that appear when we’re together. And the way my body ignites when he stares at me. We could chat for days, and I don’t think we would ever lack anything to talk about. Somehow, it’s like I’ve known him forever. It makes no sense.” I paused. “Is it a crime if I want to see him again? Should I feel bad about it?”

Addi’s amusement died, and she leaned forward to grab my hands in hers. “No, Dah. You’ve mourned Jeff for a long time. It’s okay to start living again. To want something new. Something exciting.”

“It’s scary.”

“Yes. But also, beautiful. It’s okay to let your heart feel things for another man. You’ve just met Nick. See where this could go, but don’t put pressure on yourself, okay? Take it slow.”

“You should tell my hormones. They’ve been in overdrive since the day he walked into the shop—shy, lost, and so damn irresistible. As if he woke something in me. Big time.”

“See. You may be readier than you think.” Her lips grew into an oversized smirk, and I shook my head, standing up to clean the table.

Addison followed me inside. “Since I’m the official party planner for tonight, I should start making those last-minute phone calls. I’ll meet you at the shop at noon and bring lunch. We’ll spend the afternoon together.” I pulled my girlfriend into a hug. She and Carter had both been my rocks through the years.

“Thanks for driving here. Tomorrow, we’re spending the day at the spa, and I’m treating you to dinner afterward. Our last night out has been last fall. We’re overdue.”

“Oh yes, we are.” She dropped a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll shower and meet you later. Are your parents coming? I haven’t seen them in forever.”

I shook my head. “No. They’re spending a few months in Africa. They won’t be back for a while. We video chatted yesterday, and they wished me luck, so it’s all good.”

* * *

Hours later, Addison and I were helping the crew set up the tables and makeshift bar at the store. Shivers of excitement ran through me. Goosebumps blossomed on my skin at the idea I’d made this dream come true.

“Hey Da-aah,” Addi called in her honey-dripping voice from the front when I was changing in one of the dressing rooms. “There’s a gentleman here for ya.” She relished doing that. I heard the teasing in her voice.

A quick glance at my phone told me it was already five-thirty. Nick was here. That explained Addison’s sultry tone. If it was any one of my other friends, she wouldn’t have used that voice. The one she used every time a male specimen she found attractive entered her peripheral vision. And it was a daily—almost an hourly—occurrence in her case.

“Coming,” I called, zipping the strapless silvery dress and fixing my hair one last time. Everything had to be perfect tonight. Me included. I only had a few grown-up nights throughout the year. And I intended to enjoy this one.

My breath caught in my lungs, and I almost tripped on my heels as I came face to face with Nick, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled to the elbows. He had black trousers on. His blond hair was tousled in a sexy bed hair coif. His eyes drew me in, the moment they settled on me. He stepped closer, grabbed my hand, heat rushing through me, and kissed my cheek, his lips lingering there for a long second.

My whole body tingled under his touch.

The symphony playing in my chest heightened all my senses.

All I could hear was the thumping of my heart.

All I could smell was Nick’s irresistible manly-woody scent.

“Hey, you look beautiful,” he said, his tone faint and husky. The rumble of his whiskey voice rippled all over my skin. As if he was under the same magnetic enchantment as I was.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I said, both of us replaying the words we used the previous night. Nick grinned, and I beamed back. I forced my heart to calm down when all I craved was a do-over kiss. “Go get yourself something from the bar. My people should be here soon. I’ll introduce you.”

Nick nodded, let go of my hand, and sauntered to the right side where the bartenders stood.

Addison neared me and elbowed my ribs. “Girlfriend, now I understand. Wow! This man is a hot piece of ass. No wonder he woke you up from your dormant state. That gravelly voice, damn. It might even have an effect on me. Is he for real? Wow.” I offered her a stern look as she fanned herself, giving me a not-so-subtle wink. “Dah, the way he undressed you with his eyes. He was about to eat you whole. Ohmygod, I deserve a man who looks at me this way. You’re always snatching the best ones.”

I tapped her hand. “Is it too soon, though? To feel that much attraction?” Nerves wracked through me. Fear. Anxiety. Happiness.

“Dahlia, I already told you. You’ve mourned Jeff for years. I’m sure he’d want you to move on. To be happy. To live life again. To be the fierce woman he fell in love with. He’d never wish for you to be alone. You know I speak the truth. Jeff Hills adored you too much—you were his entire world for most of his life—to forbid you from falling in love again.”

“But I’ll break Cart’s heart once more.”

“Dahlia, Carter can’t be mad at you for following your heart. I know it’s hard on him. And believe me, I feel ya, but the guy must move on. It’s been years, and your stance hasn’t changed on the subject. You can’t forfeit your happiness because he can’t get over you.” My pulse raced, and I cupped my chest to calm the palpitations I feared I wouldn’t be able to contain for long. I blinked, keeping the tears threatening to fall at bay. “Breathe, Dah. It’s gonna be okay. I have your back.” I nodded. “And you’ve got this.”

Addi snaked her arm through mine.