Olive
My head flops back onto the headrest as the vehicle’s motion relaxes me. Just as promised, the rideshare was waiting for me outside my apartment building exactly one hour after he hung up on me. Exhaustion still nags at my mind, but getting out with my best friend will hopefully help. I push down the mounting guilt that he’s paying for me. If roles were ever reversed, I would do the same for him.
My eyes drift closed until a vibration from my purse rouses me. As I pull out my phone, my eyebrows push together in confusion. I don’t recognize the number, but once again, answer it just in case it’s Benny.
“Hello?”
“Uh, Olive. Hi.”
I’d know that voice anywhere. And it isn’t my brother.
“Nate,” I say on an exhale.
“Yeah…I didn’t think you’d actually answer.” He sounds so unsure of himself. It’s so different than the confident and demanding Nate from a few nights prior that my heartbeat picks up pace.
“Well, I didn’t know it was you.”
His deep chuckle floats through the phone. “Fair enough.”
My finger toys with the zipper on my purse. “How did you get my number?”
His deep voice pulls at my core. “Ah, I cannot reveal my resources. Professional integrity and all that.”
I roll my eyes. I know exactly how he got it. I was just hoping he would confirm. His voice deepens even more to a level that weaves under my skin and sizzles down my body.
“What are you doing right now?” he asks.
My response is instantaneous, as if enchanted by his tone. “Going to dinner with Cade.”
“Where at?”
I mentally shake myself at the question I desperately want to answer—if I’m being honest with myself, it would be in hopes he would show up so I could see him again. Continuing to talk to him will wear down my resolve more quickly than I would like to admit. I sigh. Muffled voices and music hit my ear. Curiosity and what seems like a hint of jealousy at whoever he’s out with settles into my gut. “Where are you?”
“My best friend’s engagement party.” He sounds almost sad.
I scrunch my face in response, even if he can’t see me. “Why the heck are you calling me and not enjoying yourself at the party?”
Silence, then, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
My eyes snap shut, chest aching with emotion. “Nate,” I say in a warning I hope he heeds.
“You prefer I lie to you?”
Sighing, I rub my forehead. “No, Nate.” My body sways as the car stops in front of the restaurant. “I have to go.” I don’t wait for a response when I disconnect the call, even though it pains me to do so. I quickly save his number before thanking the driver and hurrying into the restaurant.
Cade stands right inside the door, looking down at his phone, and doesn’t see me approach. When I’m next to him, I pinch his tricep.
“Ow, what the—” Cade wretches his arm away from me before smiling wide when he sees it’s me. “What a greeting.”
“Cade Wheeler, I have a bone to pick with you.”
He laughs and slings his arm around my shoulder, guiding me to follow the hostess to our table. “I have a feeling I know what this is about.”
Once we’re settled into our seats and give our drink orders to the waitress, I glare at my friend. “Want to tell me why you gave Nate my number?”
Cade shrugs and grins. “Because I think you need someone like him in your life.”
With a huff, I roll my eyes.
