The Great Charade, page 22
“Right. So don’t forget that.”
“Uh huh. See you about four, Nicky. Burgers.”
The line went dead, and she shook her head again. Mistake. This was most likely a mistake. Maybe Abby wouldn’t go. Maybe she already had plans. Hell, maybe she wouldn’t even call her.
But as she sat in her truck, staring at the entrance to the gym, her mind went back to last night, this morning. In bed, yes. But not only that. Just being in Abby’s presence, looking into her eyes, watching her smile—all things that made her just a little bit happier inside.
“Oh, hell,” she murmured. She picked up her phone. Maybe she should add Abby to her favorites. She picked up on the second ring.
“Hey you. What a surprise.”
Nic found herself smiling at the sound of Abby’s voice. “Hey. So, I was wondering, if you don’t have plans, maybe you’d want to join me for dinner tonight. Well, not really tonight. About four, actually.”
“No, I don’t have plans. I would love to.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up about a quarter to four. Will that work?”
“I’ll be ready. I’m assuming casual?”
“Oh, yeah. Burgers.” She cleared her throat. “So, this isn’t like a date or anything, you know. Just—”
“Oh, I know. And you don’t have to spend the night with me tonight if you don’t want to.” A pause. “But I’d love for you to.”
Nic’s breath caught as she tried to swallow. “We’ll see,” she managed.
“Okay. See you in a few hours. Looking forward to meeting your friends.” Another pause. “Looking forward to being with you, Nic. Bye.”
She stared out into space, wondering what was happening to her. Wondering where those walls were that she’d so carefully constructed over the years. She’d built them strong and built them high.
Or so she thought.
Chapter Forty-seven
“So nice to meet you,” Addison said with a friendly smile. “Nic has told us so much about you.”
Abby looked at Nic. “You have?”
“Have not.”
Abby gave a subtle wink to Addison. “She’s told me a little about you too. When are you due?”
“April seventeenth. I can’t imagine I won’t burst by then.” Addison held the door open. “Come in, please. Eric is out on the patio already. Go visit with him. I was just washing the tomatoes.”
“Oh, I can help,” Abby quickly offered. She smiled at Nic. “I’ll be right out.”
“Grab a couple of beers,” Addison added.
Nic stared at them, looking at first one then the other. “I can help too.”
“No, no. We got this.”
Nic pointed her finger at Addison. “No talking about me.”
Addison dramatically rolled her eyes. “Now why would we talk about you?”
Abby patted her arm. “I’m just going to help slice tomatoes and onions and stuff. I’ll come out to meet Eric in a second.”
“Okay.” Nic opened the fridge and took out two beers. “I’ll go supervise him cleaning the grill.”
As soon as Nic closed the patio door, they looked at each other and grinned. “I see you found her last night.”
Abby nodded. “The plan worked like a charm. Thank you.” She grabbed a tomato, then paused. “I told you I’d missed her, but I had no idea just how much until I saw her again.”
“So did you talk?”
“Yes. She reiterated that we weren’t dating and that she couldn’t give me anything other than what we shared last night.”
“And?”
Abby smiled. “And I’m falling in love with her, and I have no intention of letting her run from this. She can pretend—can tell herself—that she feels nothing for me, but I know she does. It’ll catch up with her sooner or later.”
“And in the meantime?”
“In the meantime, I’ll let her believe that she’s in control.”
Addison laughed. “Oh, I think our Nicky has lost this battle already. I tell you, she was in such a gloomy state. Today? Her eyes are bright and lively.” She slid a cutting board and a knife toward her. “And she’s out there watching us, probably so afraid I’m telling secrets or something.”
“I’m so glad she invited me along today. I wanted to officially meet you. I was afraid I’d say something out of line.”
“You know what? Even if she finds out that I reached out to you, I don’t think she’d be angry.”
“No, I don’t suppose she would. But still, let’s keep that to ourselves for now, huh?”
* * *
“So, from what I can see, she looks really cute,” Eric said as he peered over her shoulder.
Nic nodded. Abby and Addison were chatting like old friends as they sliced the vegetables. She’d been a little nervous, wondering if they would hit it off or not. She didn’t know why, though. They were both likable women.
“I swear, Addison gets bigger every time I see her. You think she’s going to make two more months?”
“She was at the doctor on Thursday. The date hasn’t changed.” Eric laughed. “Addison is convinced she’s having twins.”
“When are you going to settle on a name?”
“I like Sarah for a girl. Addison likes Shelby,” he said as he wrinkled up his nose, indicating he didn’t care for it. “And for a boy, I want to go with a normal name, like Michael or something. She wants something different, like Grayson or Carson. Those are her two favorites.”
“It’s gonna be a cute little girl. I just know it.” She nudged his arm. “I like Shelby.”
“Yeah. I’m only pretending I have a say in it.” He sat down at the table, and she joined him. “So, you broke down and called her or what?”
Nic grinned. “I went to the bar last night. She found me.”
“So, it’s like fate or something, right?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not fate, Eric. I don’t believe in that stuff. We just, you know, hooked up. Nothing more.”
Eric studied her. “You know there’s nothing wrong with having someone, Nicky. Maybe it’s time you gave it a chance.”
“I don’t think so. Besides, I don’t think Abby is looking for anything either. She seems fine with our current arrangement.”
“Which is?”
Nic shrugged. “Which is no commitment, no relationship. Just sex.”
Eric laughed. “Well, I guess there are worse things in life.”
Chapter Forty-eight
“Okay, so I don’t know anything about pregnancies, but Addison is going to have that baby any day now,” she said as Nic drove them back to her apartment. “The poor thing looks miserable.”
“She is. She’s been sleeping in the recliner. She says she just plops down and pushes the button to lay back.”
Abby laughed. “She told me.” She reached across the console and rested her hand on Nic’s thigh. “I really like them. It was a fun evening.”
“Yeah, they’re the best.”
When they pulled up to her apartment, Abby squeezed Nic’s thigh. “I forgot my remote. You’ll need to put in the gate code.” She waited for Nic to lower her window. “It’s eight-zero-four-seven-three.”
“Pound sign or something?”
“Nope.” Nic put in the code and the gate opened, allowing them to drive through. “Will you stay?” she asked almost shyly.
“Yes. That is, if—”
“Yes. I’ve been dying to kiss you all evening.”
She got her chance a short time later when the door closed behind them. She found herself being pressed against the door. Her mouth met Nic’s in an urgent kiss, and they moaned simultaneously as Nic’s thigh pressed between her legs.
God, but Nic could get her into a heated state, couldn’t she? Warm hands shoved her bra aside, fingers brushing over her nipples. Then Nic’s tongue moved past her lips, circling her own. She moaned again, letting Nic have complete control. She felt the zipper of her jeans go down and soon fingers found their way inside. She braced herself against the door as Nic found her clit, rubbing lightly across it. Then those fingers dipped into her wetness for just a second before returning.
“I love how you touch me,” she murmured with her eyes closed.
Nic’s mouth nibbled at her neck, one hand at her breast, fingers rubbing her nipple, the other hand down her jeans. Abby was nearly breathless as Nic held her against the door, hands and mouth driving her arousal to a feverish high. Just as her orgasm was about to envelop her, Nic dropped to her knees and shoved the offending jeans down in one motion before her mouth claimed her clit, sucking it hard into her mouth.
Abby jerked once, then stilled as Nic’s hands cupped her from behind. A mere five seconds later, she climaxed, a loud “ohh” leaving her mouth as she pressed Nic closer to her.
“I’m going to fall down.”
“I won’t let you fall,” Nic said quietly as she stood again, kissing her with an exquisite softness, a kiss that told her just how much Nic cared for her. It melted her heart.
“Let’s go to bed, huh? I have all sorts of things I want to do to you.” She smiled as they kissed again. “Lovely things. It’ll probably take hours.”
“I’ve got nowhere to be.”
“Good. Because tonight…you’re mine.”
Chapter Forty-nine
“I think it’s corny when people say you glow, but I believe it now. You’re freaking glowing,” Sharon said with a laugh.
Abby laughed too. “I know I am. I’ve been so blissfully happy these last few weeks.”
“So let me get this straight. You’re not dating. You’re not in a relationship. You’re just…having sex?”
Abby bit into her sandwich. “On the surface, yes. That’s what she wants to believe.”
“Yet you’ve seen her nearly every night?”
“Yes. And I don’t push, I really don’t. Yesterday, for instance. I hadn’t spoken to her all day. We had no plans. And I was fighting with myself about calling her. Then the doorbell rang, and she was there.” She grabbed a chip from the bag. “She’s scared, so I’m letting her work at her own pace.”
“I don’t understand her whole phobia about dating.”
“It’s a childhood thing having to do with her parents,” she said evasively. “I know her story and I completely understand where she’s coming from. That’s why I’m letting her make the rules.”
“But you’re falling in love?”
“God, yes. And so is she. She just doesn’t know it.” Or did she? Hadn’t there been an almost terrified look in Nic’s eyes that morning as they’d cuddled in bed? Abby had smiled at her, had kissed her lightly, chasing that look away. Yes, Nic knew it. That’s why the look of fear was on her face.
“So, you’re going to pretend you’re not dating when you kinda are?”
She nibbled on another chip. “I’ll go as slow as she needs. I don’t want her to run, but I think she’ll try. When she realizes how entangled we’ve become, I think she’ll run. And then I’ll have to convince her to come back.”
She saw movement a few tables over and she looked up, nearly gasping. Sharon followed her gaze.
“Who is that?”
“It’s…it’s Holly.”
“Your Holly?”
“Yes.”
Holly was dressed rather casually today. Jeans—designer jeans, to be sure, but still jeans. A burgundy button-down shirt was covered by a sweater that was a shade or two lighter. Even her lipstick matched.
“I was hoping I’d find you out here.” Holly glanced at the gold watch on her wrist. “Do you have a few minutes to chat? Alone?”
Abby glanced at Sharon, who was busy gathering up her lunch, but she reached out a hand, stopping her. “No, don’t leave. We’ll go up to my office. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The walk through the courtyard was made in silence, but her mind was jumping to all different kinds of scenarios as to why Holly had come to see her. The most obvious one—she wanted to “get together”—came to mind.
At the elevator, she could stand the silence no more. She offered a smile, albeit a fake one.
“So…how have you been?”
“I’ve been missing you.”
The doors opened and she stood back, waiting while two guys got off. Just before the doors closed, someone called to hold the elevator and she stuck a hand out, stopping the doors. An older man carrying a briefcase came inside and nodded at her.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Silence again. The man got off on the third floor. They rode up to the sixth without speaking, her mind reeling as she tried to figure out why Holly was there. She went into their suite of offices, nodding quickly at her admin assistant before going on to her own office.
She closed the door, then leaned back against it. “What in the world are you doing here?” she blurted out.
Holly gave her one of her practiced smiles. “Does that mean you’ve missed me?”
“Not for a minute.” She moved around Holly to her desk, opting to sit behind it. Holly took one of the visitor’s chairs, crossing her legs and resting her purse on her lap.
“Well, I thought we could talk. Visit.”
“Whatever for?”
The smile left Holly’s face. “I think I made a mistake, Abigail.”
Abby arched an eyebrow but said nothing.
“With you.”
“Which time?” Abby shot back.
The smile Holly gave her was actually a little sad-looking, and again, she wondered what was going on.
“I should never have ended things with you.”
“Of course you should have. We were so wrong for each other, Holly. I can see that clearly now.” She waved a hand in the air. “Besides, I think you said you preferred men. Remember?”
“As I tried to tell you over Christmas, I was wrong about that. Aaron—while a very sweet man—doesn’t get my…” She paused. “Well, to be blunt, he doesn’t get my juices flowing, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh good lord, I do not need to hear this.”
“Sorry, but it’s the truth.”
“And it took you two years to figure this out?”
“I thought it was something I could live with. Turns out, I don’t think I can. Seeing you again at Christmas, I realized that what I have with Aaron is not enough.”
She frowned. “Wait a minute. Surely you’re not suggesting that you and I…what? Date again?”
“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”
Abby laughed. “Oh, can you imagine how next Christmas would be if you and I started dating again?” Her smile disappeared. “But I guess you forgot that I’m seeing someone. Remember Nic?”
“Is she still in the picture? My god, Abigail, you can do so much better than that.”
Abby stared at her. “I can do better? What? You?”
“She doesn’t even have a real job. She works for her uncle, for god’s sake, doing who knows what.” Holly leaned closer to the desk. “Aren’t you embarrassed to introduce her to your friends?”
“Wow.”
“Wow?”
“My relationship with Nic is just between us. I couldn’t care less if my friends don’t like her. Don’t care if my parents don’t like her—which I know they do. Now, whether this is a forever thing or not, I don’t know. We’re still getting to know each other.” That much was certainly true. It was also true that she could very well end up with her first truly broken heart. But she’d be damned if she’d run to Holly with it.
She stood up. “I guess our discussion is over. I’m sorry that you’re having second thoughts about Aaron and the wedding and all. But I can’t help you.”
Holly stood too. “Why won’t you give us a chance, Abby? Please?”
“A chance?” She slammed her fist on her desk. “Do you know how humiliated I was that Christmas? How depressed I was? Sleeping with you then was probably the low point in my life, Holly. You used me and I let you. And that’s on me. But that will never happen again.” She squared her shoulders. “I’ve fallen in love with someone. And I realize now that it’s the first time I’ve really been in love. Giddy in love and it feels so good. It’s completely different than what I ever felt with you. So, I’m sorry, you’ll have to find yourself someone else to screw over.”
She walked purposefully to the door and jerked it open. “Goodbye, Holly.”
Holly paused beside her and met her eyes. Abby could see embarrassment there and confusion.
“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything to Aaron about our visit.”
“Aaron and I no longer have a relationship, as you well know. Besides, if there was anything I should have told him, it’s that you crawled into my bed last year.” She paused. “Then you slithered right back to him. That’s what I should have told him.”
Holly’s eyes never wavered. “I made a mistake, Abby.”
“Again…which time?”
Chapter Fifty
Nic sat in her truck, the smell of the pizza making her stomach rumble. She stared up to the second floor, wondering if she should call first. Hell, wondering what she was even doing here in the first place. Oh, that was a lie, though, wasn’t it? She’d told herself all day that she wasn’t going to see Abby tonight. Wasn’t going to call her, certainly wasn’t going to pop over again. Because she thought she’d be absolutely crushed if there was someone in her apartment—a date, for instance. It was Friday, after all. Since there were no commitments in their relationship, Abby could date if she wanted. And surely, at some point, she would. But during these last few weeks, Abby had made no mention of it, and they’d seen each other nearly every night.
And here she was. Again. After her workout at the gym, she’d gone home to shower, thinking she’d call in a pizza instead of cooking. By the time she’d finished her shower, however, her mind had been full of Abby, and she couldn’t shake the need she had to see her. She was too embarrassed to call, though, afraid that Abby might say no. Afraid that Abby already had plans. Afraid that she was getting in too damn deep.
