He then puts a bottle of water to my mouth, and I swallow. The gesture isn’t grandiose in any way, but very thoughtful. I can’t remember a time somebody took care of me like this.
“I should shower and change,” I say with a shy smile.
“Sure. I’ll meet you in the kitchen afterward. Want some coffee?”
“Yes, please.” Then I add, “You’re the best.”
“Only the best for my girl.” He winks before gently slipping out from under me and leaving.
Somehow the air feels empty and off. A charge that’s been crackling quietly in the background vanishes. Suddenly bereft, I hug myself, then go to the bathroom. A hot shower is just what the doctor ordered.
I flip the light switch, then put a hand over my eyes as the satanically bright bulbs come on.Ugh.I’m never drinking like that again! What did it solve, anyway? Owen and Dana are still looking forward to their disgustingly happy future together, and I’m the only one suffering.
My vision gradually adjusts, and I slowly lower my hand…then soundlessly scream at my reflection. My eyes are so swollen, they look like bread dough left out on the kitchen counter for too long. Mascara streaks line my cheeks. Is that achocolate stainon my tunic? I sniff it.Yep.And my hair’s sticking out in all directions like I’ve been run through a tumble dryer.
How could Nicholas not laugh seeing me like this? I would’ve never suspected I looked such a mess from the way he interacted with me.
All right. First step is a shower. When I come out my eyes are still swollen, but they look slightly better. Or maybe that’s just futile optimism. I consider hiding in my room until I look more human, but no. Nicholas has made coffee and is waiting.
He didn’t laugh before, so he probably won’t laugh now.
Inhaling deeply, I go down to the kitchen. Nicholas is at the counter, tapping away on his phone. He’s showered too—he smells like soap and aftershave. Underneath the scent is him—something warm and masculine that never fails to bring my nerve endings to life. A gray T-shirt and black shorts hug the thick muscles I clung to all night.
He places his phone on the counter. “How’s your head? Aspirin kicking in?”
“Yes. Coffee will be perfect to get rid of what little achiness is left.” I pour two cups and hand him one. The oven clock says it’s one twenty-five. I can’t believe he stayed in bed with me so long. He must’ve been awake for a while. “Thanks for taking care of me last night.”
As he opens his mouth to say something, the doorbell rings. Another gaggle of women from Nikki and Ted?
He checks the intercom.
I brace for another tsunami of tall women pretty enough to be pageant queens. Instead, Nicholas murmurs something and the door shuts, plunging us into silence.
He reappears carrying a huge bouquet of yellow and orange daisies, cheery enough to make even the most morose person smile. There are some sunflowers in it as well.
“These came for you,” he says, handing me the flowers.
“Me?” I take them, holding them close. Their lovely scent tickles my nose as confusion spirals through me. “From who?” Nobody knows I’m staying with Nicholas. Well, except Georgia, but she never sends flowers.
“From me.” He retakes his stool at the counter.
“You?” I say stupidly. Ifeelstupid, since it’s still an effort to think. I really need to finish my coffee. “For what?”
“Does a man need a reason to give his girl flowers?”
Ah. He must be worried about another Joey ambush. The flowers are beautiful. The misery from yesterday slowly ebbs, and warmth fills my heart. “Thank you. I can’t remember the last time I got flowers.”
Nicholas cocks a disapproving eyebrow. “Owen didn’t give you any?”
“He has a pollen allergy.”
He shakes his head and mutters something. Based on his tone, it’s nothing flattering.
I pluck a note from the midst of the flowers. I open it, expecting a short but thoughtful message, likeI hope you’re doing wellor something similar.
But instead, there is a line of beautiful foreign calligraphy in the center of the card. Below is Nicholas’s name. “What does it say?” I ask, showing him the note.
He smiles. “I’ll tell you later.”
