The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“Now I have Nick,” I finish her sentence for me. She’s right. I always run. I want the fairytale, but I never fight for it. I want the happily-ever-after without wanting to work for it. I don’t know what is going to happen with Nick or what’s going through his head, but instead of running, I need to face this head on because he’s worth fighting for. I ran when I felt like my life was out of my control, but now it’s time to stay and fight. Then it hits me…

“Giselle…what if in order to be with him, it means having to move to California?” She knows what I’m asking. Does this mean I’ll be living across the country from my best friend?

Fresh tears brim over as she opens her mouth to speak, but no words come out. Then she closes her eyes for several beats before opening them back up. “Then I’ll come and visit you and Reed every chance I get.” My heart tightens. I can’t imagine my life without Giselle in it. I shake my head, not liking her answer.

“Livi…” Her tears fall like a waterfall down her cheeks. “My mom…she’s not doing so well, and I don’t know how to help her. And now with my dad gone and my sister away at college, I have to stay here.”

I hug my best friend. “I’m so sorry. I completely understand.”

“Thank you. I probably shouldn’t have left to Hawaii, but I just needed a breather from it all, to escape from reality for a few days, and since my sister was off of school for spring break, she offered to keep an eye on our mom, so I could go.”

“I hate that you’re going through this. What can I do?”

“You can go figure out what’s going on with you and Nick. One of us deserves a goddamned fairytale ending.” She laughs softly, trying to play off the seriousness of what she just told me about her mom. “Go! Go call him.” She stands and grabs her keys. “I have a couple errands to run, but I’ll be back later.”

Before she makes it out the door, she says, “Oh! By the way, this came for you.” She hands me a large envelope.

“Thanks.” I open it and inside is all the information I requested from the accountant who handles Nick’s charity, Touchdown for Reading. Apparently, the original accountant retired, and Nick recently hired someone new. When we spoke, I asked him to go through and let me know how active the charity has been these last few years, so I know where to begin. I pull the papers out of the envelope and a note falls out.

You might want to check the charges I highlighted.

I flip through until I find the highlighted amounts. I read over them several times. This can’t be right. There’s no way…

My intercom buzzes, so I put the papers down. “Hello.”

“It’s Victoria.”

“Okay, I’ll buzz you up.”

Knowing it will take a minute for the elevator to make its way up to my floor, I call Nick.

“Liv,” he says when he picks up.

“Hey, can you come over? We need to talk.”

“I’m on my way now. I should be there in two hours.” Two hours?

“Where are you?”

He pauses for a second. “Where are you?”

“Home…where else would I be?”

“Your dad said you were going to the Hamptons. I was on my way there.” Oh no!

“I was going to, but Giselle talked some sense into me.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Okay, good, because your mom is on her way up.”

I end the call just as Victoria knocks on my door.

“Victoria, come in.”

“Thank you.” She steps into my home, and I close the door behind us. “Well, this is a beautiful home you have here,” she says, her gaze darting around my living room.

“Thank you. Would you like something to drink?” I ask, trying to be polite, but also wanting to stall so Nick has time to get here.

“No, thank you. I won’t be here long.”

“Well, I’m thirsty,” I tell her. “Feel free to get comfortable while I grab a drink. You sure you don’t want anything?”

“I’m sure,” she snaps, losing a bit of her patience.

While in the kitchen, I read through the documents once more just to make sure what I’m looking at is correct. Unfortunately, it is.

After grabbing a bottle of water, I head back out to the living room to find Victoria is still standing where I left her, texting on her cell phone. When she hears me enter, she puts her phone away and looks up.

“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” I ask.

“I’ll cut right to the chase,” she says. “Convince Nicholas to keep his contract with LA, and I will make sure you’re taken care of.”

“Excuse me?”

“This home you’re living in runs roughly three million dollars. If you want to continue to live a life of luxury, convince Nicholas to keep the contract with LA. I’ll make sure your home is paid off, and on top of whatever child support he’s agreed to pay, I’ll double it so you’re living more than comfortably.”