The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“That guy has it bad,” Giselle comments once the backdoor is shut.

“It’s definitely mutual. Now tell me what happened with Killian that has you drinking before noon.”

She drinks her glass of wine slowly until it’s completely drained. “The guy is just such an asshole,” she finally says. Seeing her glass is empty, she refills it. “Now, tell me about your romantic getaway.” And I know that’s all I’m getting out of her right now.

A little while later, my dad and Corrine show up. Nick and Killian run to the store to buy groceries and when they return, Nick grills up some burgers and steaks while Corrine and I make several side dishes. We all congregate to the dining room to eat. The guys banter back and forth about their Super Bowl win, and the women discuss Giselle’s latest job with some high-class executive who is having his entire place redecorated. It’s the most content I’ve felt in a long time, like everything is finally falling into place.

Just as we finish cleaning up from dinner, there’s a knock on the door. Since Nick is laying Reed down, I run to the door to quickly answer it, and standing there is Celeste with a single suitcase. She smiles wide at me, and I smile back.

“I’m glad you could make it.”

“Thank you for having me.” She leaves her luggage by the stairs, and we join everyone back in the living room. I make introductions around the room even though she knows my dad and stepmom.

“I love that everyone is here,” I say. “I was so scared when we closed up our flat to come back here, but I’m glad we did.”

“I was about to drag you back myself,” my dad jokes.

“Speaking of which, have you decided if you’re going to sell or rent it out?” Giselle asks.

“You own a place in France?” Celeste asks, joining in the conversation.

“I lived there for six years. It made more sense to buy than rent. Giselle and I went to college there and then both got our master’s. I haven’t decided if I’m going to sell it, though.”

Nick and Killian walk into the room as I’m finishing my sentence. “Sell what?” Nick questions as he sits down on the couch. He lifts me slightly then snuggles me into his side.

“My flat in Paris.”

“You should keep it, so we can visit. I’ve never been. You can show me your home away from home.” He presses a kiss to my neck.

“True, but we could always stay in a hotel. The market is flourishing, and I could make a decent amount on it. It’s in a college district.”

“Does that mean you’re staying for good?” Giselle asks, and I shoot her a glare.

“What do you mean for good?” my dad jumps in, confused. I didn’t want to get into this now, but it seems I don’t have a choice.

“Are you planning to move back?” Nick asks, his voice devoid of all emotion.

“When I came to visit it was only for a week because I was offered a position as an Art Education Coordinator. When we left to come here, I took a leave of absence with the Museum I was working at. You get two months of maternity leave, but I put in a request for additional time.”

“How much extra?” Nick asks, his tone now ice cold.

“If I plan to keep my job, I have to return in four months.”

“Olivia!” my dad exclaims. “You didn’t mention this when you agreed to move home.”

“I know. I wanted to keep my options open. I never imagined I would find Reed’s dad. Obviously, a lot has changed.”

Celeste’s eyes are trained on me when she says, “You agreed to shared custody. You can’t just leave with Nick’s baby.” If Nick’s tone was ice cold, his friend’s is equivalent to an arctic glacier, and in this moment, I can understand why they’re such good friends. They might not see eye-to-eye on everything, but she one hundred percent has his back.

“I’m not going anywhere. I was just keeping my options open,” I repeat. “I love my life here, and I love being near my dad.”

“What happens if Nick ends up on another team? Like in Florida or Texas?” Celeste pushes, and I stop myself from telling her to mind her own business. It’s clear she’s only being protective of Nick.

“And this is where the conversation needs to end,” my dad says. “As the coach, I can’t discuss this with my player, especially with his contract up in the air.”

Nick agrees, and the conversation shifts to another topic, but my mind is stuck on Celeste’s question. If Nick leaves, would I go? Would he ask me to go?

He must sense my confusion because he dusts my hair over my shoulder and whispers into my ear, “I’m not going anywhere, and if I have to, we’ll discuss it together. Just don’t go and leave the country without me.” He kisses my temple then my earlobe. “Okay?”