Whiskey and Country

30

NICHOLAS

“Scoot closer,” I said to Dahlia as we positioned ourselves on our stargazing deck, Jack sleeping beside her, tucked in a red sleeping bag, Buddy snoring on his right. With my phone, I snapped a picture of the four of us. “I’ll get it framed.”

Dahlia kissed my chin as I took another shot of us. “Thanks for letting Jack and I be a part of Derek’s list. I had fun today. I’m glad Joan could take over the shop all afternoon. She’s been amazing so far. And she knows everyone in town. I found someone I could count on, and she’s the perfect candidate.”

“It’s all you. You make people want to be the best versions of themselves. It’s a gift you have, Dahlia Ellis. I know because it’s rubbing on me too.”

“Thanks, but you’re speaking over your head. You’re pretty extra extraordinary yourself, Nicholas Peterson. We make a great pair, you and I.”

I kissed the nape of her neck, pushing the tresses of copper hair over her shoulder, relishing the floral scent of her. With her back to my front, I hooked an arm around the curve of her waist and pulled her against my hard-on. All stiff and ready, just at the idea of spending the night together.

“You’re lucky we have company, or I would’ve made you scream my name right here. All night long.” Dahlia writhed her ass against my erection, playing with my willpower. “Thanks for the double sleeping bag you got us, woman. This makes camping so much more worth it.” I moved to my other side and turned off the fairy lights with the switch I’d installed on the side of the stage next to my head.

In the darkness, nestled in my arms, the woman I never knew could steal my heart now faced me. Entangled, we stared at the dark sky, the stars shining like someone sprinkled diamonds from space.

“This is perfect,” she said. My hand ventured under her shirt, trailing the length of her ribcage with my fingertips and moving back up to trace the line of her spine. A low quivering gasp left her mouth and her body tense.

At a slow pace, I started over, enjoying the goosebumps that had blossomed under the pads of my fingers. Dahlia squirmed against me, nestling herself deeper in my arms.

“Now this is perfect,” I said, my hand on her backside, holding her close.

In the pitch-black darkness, we couldn’t see each other clearly, but my mouth found hers, and I swallowed her whimpers.

She anchored herself to me, and in the safety of each other’s arms, we enjoyed the silence.

My lids fluttered to stay open, and I lost the battle, her quiet breaths rocking me to sleep.

“Nick?”

I blinked, unsure if it was part of a dream or not.

“Hmm.”

“I really like us together. Thanks for everything you do for us. It means a lot, and I’m thankful for all of it. I’ll never take anything for granted ever again. This is me telling you I’m grateful to have you in my life. In our lives.”

“It all comes naturally with you and Jack. As if you’ve always been a part of my life. I’m the lucky one. Now sleep. I’m watching over you,” I said as she sank her body into mine, my palm splayed on her ass. “I’m glad I found you too. I’ll never wish to be anywhere else. And I’ll always make sure you’re happy and safe.”

* * *

“You expecting someone?” Dahlia asked me as I got up to get the door the next afternoon. I shrugged. The pounding intensified on the other side.

“No. None of the guys from work said anything about coming over, and the neighbors are gone for the day. Everyone else I know is here.”

My eyes traveled to Jack drawing in the living room, Buddy sitting next to him. And Dahlia seated at the kitchen table, looking over paint samples I picked up for the bedroom.

Another knock on the door.

My grin stretched to both ears when I yanked it open. My best friend stood on the front porch, a duffle bag slung over his shoulders, looking like his preppy self, dressed in dark trousers and a purple buttoned-up shirt rolled at the elbows.

“Hey man, what are you doing here?” I asked, pulling Tucker into a hug. I failed at holding back the smile curling my lips. “Are you lost? Those clothes have no place here.”

He tugged away and tsk-tsked. “You’re just jealous that I’m better looking than you. Thought coming to town for a surprise visit would be a good idea. You know, just to throw away any plan you might have.”

I moved to the side to let him in.

As if his eyes were magnets only attracted to the opposite sex, Tucker’s gaze landed on Dahlia. “Oh, you have company.” He elbowed me in the arm. Jack, curious, came to me, and I picked him up and kissed his cheek. “Man, how long have you been here? Did time fly by and I didn’t get the memo? Whoa, you’ve got yourself a family.” He bunched his dark eyebrows, gave me a what-the-hell stare. “Did I miss an entire episode of Nick Peterson’s life?”

Tucker slapped his chest, his dramatic ways in full display, and I rolled my eyes as Dahlia rose to her feet to meet him.

“This little guy here is Jack. Jack, this is my friend, Tuck. Don’t listen to anything he says. He’s a troublemaker.”

They both studied each other with a frown, but Jack held out his fist for Tucker to bump as we practiced all the time. My friend and I burst out laughing. And like a dad, pride overflowed in me.

“Nice to meet you, Jack. I see you already know the secret code to our friendship.” He ruffled the boy’s hair. “You can call me Uncle Tuck.”

I flipped a palm over, glancing at my friend. “Uncle Tuck?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, thought it sounds good.”

I shook my head but ended up laughing along with him.

My woman neared us, interrupting our chuckles.

Tuck gave her a slow once-over, his panty-melting smirk plastered on, his playboy ways untamed. “Hey there. I’m Tuck, Nick’s best friend. And the most handsome between the two of us.”

Dahlia furrowed her brows, looking at him, unimpressed.

I silenced my snicker with a closed fist.

Jack watched the interaction as closely as I did.

“Dahlia,” my girl finally said, shaking his hand. With a loud sigh, she shook her head. “You see, I thought I was Nick’s best friend. This isn’t working. We’ve already come to the conclusion that when we’re in this town, I get the best friend title. Sorry, man. You’re now second best.”

“Did you just man me?” Tucker asked with a stunned expression.

Dahlia failed to reel in the grin bursting on her lips. “Yep. I think I did. Man.”

Tucker pivoted to face me, his eyes wide. “Nick, I like her. She’s a keeper. Are you single, woman?” he asked in his most flirting tone. The one he used every time he tried to hook up with someone.

I clapped his shoulders. “Out of reach, man. Sorry. She’s too good for you.”

Dahlia’s gaze traveled between us, her smirk getting bigger by the second.

“And I’m already taken,” she said, locking lips with me.