... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

“I suggest you hold your judgment there, Niles. You don’t know me.”

“But I’d like to. As a friend, of course. Even if it does scare me a little. You’re very passionate,” he said.

She chuckled. “I don’t think this date is going to be so bad.”

They arrived at the restaurant. She tried not to feel overwhelmed as it was fancy. There were a valet and a maître d’. They were seated at a nice, cute spot, private. The lights were low. The music soft.

“This is as friends?”

“This is one of the best restaurants around. Trust me. You’re going to love this.” They were handed the menus and she noticed hers didn’t have any prices on.

“If we’re doing this as friends, I need to know the cost.”

“No, you really don’t.”

“Niles, I can’t have you paying for me.”

“I’m a gentleman. I asked you on a date, I picked the place, and I will pay.”

“My dad set this up.”

“He did, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t turn him down.”

“You’re being sweet. Is he paying you to be sweet?” Tabitha asked.

“No, this is who I am. But believe me, I can be a real bastard when I want to be. Would you like some wine?”

She shook her head. “Just water for me.” The last occasion she’d relaxed, drank some beer, and partied, Angel had called her to tell her about Nathan’s fever and how he’d gotten really sick. She’d been too drunk to drive and at the hospital, the guilt had overwhelmed her. Even though Sandy had told her not to worry about what other people thought, she hated looking like the idiot young girl who’d gotten pregnant by accident but wanted to continue living her life. She didn’t want that.

So, she never drank. Sure, she went to parties and danced. They were always few and far between.

“Would you trust me to order for you?”

“Why not? Have at it.” She didn’t see a reason to argue with the man. He’d taken care of everything else. This was supposed to be a relaxing evening. The waiter took their menus and she glanced around the restaurant.

“It’s a nice place.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Do you take all of the women here?”

“No,” Niles said, laughing. “I don’t date a whole lot.”

“You don’t?” She looked at him. He had to be in his thirties. He was older than her. Why was her father setting her up with older men? “Do you mind me asking your age?”

“Oh, of course not, I’m thirty-five.”

“Right,” she said. “I’m twenty-three.”

“Yes, your father did say.”

“What else did he say exactly?” she asked.

Niles’s face went a nice shade of red.

“That flattering?”

“He said that you’ve … I don’t feel comfortable with this.”

“Oh, please, do continue.”

He sighed. “You’re making this very difficult.”

“I imagine it’s hard for everyone on a date,” she said. The only person she’d been with, the only guy who’d ever made her heart soar, was Simon. The very man she was angry with right now. Who she wanted to forget more than anything. He could go around fighting, doing whatever the hell he wanted while she had to remain at home being the good little girl. No, she was done waiting around for him.

“Your father told me you were in love with a man, a man who he didn’t think deserved you. You’ve been waiting for him to come back to town. How from a young age, you’d both promised yourself you’d be together for a lifetime?”

“It seems my father likes to talk a whole lot.”

“He cares.”

She pressed her lips together, trying not to be hurt. “His name’s Simon. The guy. The one I’m in love with.” She no longer wore the ring he’d given her. Not on her finger at least. The ring was around her neck. She kept it on her person, always.

Damn it.

Was she really waiting for someone that was never going to be hers? The security footage Daisy had shown her hadn’t exactly given her an insight into Simon’s life.

She’d waited for him. Had he done the same? There were a lot of women at that fight. All of them had been over him like he was a fucking drug.

Niles reached over, taking her hand, making her jump.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m okay. I’m so sorry. I zoned out a little.”

“Simon hurt you a great deal, didn’t he?”

“No, of course not.”

“You don’t have to lie to spare my feelings. You’ve been pretty clear where I stand.”

She took a deep breath, licking her lips. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“I kind of do.” She took a deep breath. “I … I don’t know where to begin.”

“How about you don’t begin? Why don’t you just speak and see where that leads you?”

“Do you think five years is a long time to be waiting for someone? He promised me he’d be back. I know he keeps his promises, usually. I sound like a sucker right now. I can even hear it myself. I suck at this.” She hated how desperate she sounded. This wasn’t like her. This wasn’t her, period.