I drummed my nails on the steering wheel. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why are you moving out? You’re obviously a family man, you’re trying to save money, and a house would be a better place to store stuff for a landscaping company. Or are you that determined to get away from them bugging you about getting a girlfriend?”
“It’s not that.” He sighed. “I was supposed to buy my mom a house, you know? Not live in her basement. I think if I’m not holed up here, they’ll worry about me less. I want to feel like I have a life outside them again."
I squinted at the lights of my condo building. “You know you’ll still be living with your cousin?”
“She’ll be at Harvey’s place,” he demurred.
“Does that mean you can finally have girls over past nine p.m.?” I grinned, parking my car.
“Yes. We can hang out more then.”
Was he saying we'd hang out more when we were alone and not trying to convince anyone we’re boyfriend and girlfriend?
“O-okay. That’s a plan,” I said.
“Sorry it’s like this right now.” He yawned. “When did you move out? How many modeling gigs before you got independence?”
“I left the day I turned eighteen. I stayed with a friend for a few weeks before I could put a down payment on this place.” I grabbed my stuff and headed inside, each step snapping againstthe pavement. “The gigs didn’t come right away. I had to work retail to pay for my headshots, build my portfolio, and then… Well, you know, at eighteen, I got more opportunities.” I could sell pictures of my feet.
“What’s your portfolio like? Your social media?”
“No; nothing you’d want to see. It’s kind of embarrassing.” I fumbled for my keys and avoided the blurred reflection in the metallic doors.
“I figured we were embarrassment-proof at this point. You caught me changing in the stacks.”
“Hey, I’m not complaining.” I giggled and poked the call button in my building. Damn, was that too forward again? We were flirting. Actually flirting. No audience, just sleep-deprived teasing. I sucked in a shaky breath. “Maybe after our double date, I can show you some things. You know, if we’re alone, and you still want to know…”
If he still wanted the real me.
“I will.” He sounded like he was smiling.
Was that possible or just wishful thinking? I shook my head. “I’m about to step into the elevator, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Text me when you get into your apartment.” His voice was gruff with exhaustion and tinged with teasing.
My heart fluttered, so I tucked my phone against my cheek. “Okay, Dad. And just so you know, if you ever get lonely, you can always call me.”
“Thanks, Nic. You can call me any time too, even if you’re not lonely. Sweet dreams.”
If I dreamed of him, they would be.
33
Double Trouble
A double date at the bar required a casual-cute outfit. I wore a low-key designer jacket, a crop top, and high-waisted pants with deep pockets. I wanted to look good, not just hot. After all, I wanted him to take me seriously after this.
Harvey was the first one there. He glowered at a corner table and played with his piercings while seemingly drawing on a phone app.
It took me actually pulling out a chair at the table for him to glance up. “Hey. Are the cousins late?” I asked.
“They’re almost here.” He frowned. “You’re Nikki, right?”
“Yep.” Did he not remember me? I tugged at my shirt. Maybe the lack of a lime green tee made it hard for him to place me.
