“I bet he did,” June snickered. “Okay. So back to the problem. Actually, is there even a problem? You date Nick and Matthew and ride off into the sunset. Either Austin joins y’all or he doesn’t.”
“It sounds that simple, but my heart doesn’t feel like it’s that simple,” I said. “I want Austin too. I just . . . I can’t wait. Ireallylike Matthew. I really like Nick.”
“So keep seeing them,” Avery said. “And maybe Austin will figure it out.”
“Fingers crossed he talks to the guys, and one of them figures it out,” Madi said. “Between the four of them, they should be able to. They have at least one brain cell.”
“I don’t know. You have a lot of faith in them,” June said. “But maybe.”
I thought about Austin and his shocked expression. I had no idea what he was going to do now.
I ate a few more chips with queso as our conversation drifted into other topics. Wedding dresses, small business issues, the tourist system, the need for a girls’ trip sometime before the holidays. By the time I got home, I was full and happy and felt a lot better about what I was doing.
I just needed to text Nick.
With a cup of hot tea in hand, I settled onto my couch and pulled up my texts.
Me
I can’t believe you fixed my oven AND recommended wine and fruit to Matthew
A few bubbles appeared and disappeared. I squeaked when his name flashed across the screen with an incoming call.Oh god, oh god, oh god.I let my phone ring for a few seconds, then made myself answer.
“Hi,” I exhaled.
“I didn’t think you were gonna answer me,” Nick chuckled.
“I considered letting it go to voicemail, but you know. You did fix my oven.”
“And you love listening to my very sexy voice.”
I laughed. “Yeah. Sure. Maybe.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I would have been twirling my hair if I wasn’t holding a cup of tea. “I can’t believe you fixed it. You didn’t need to go out of your way to do that.”
“It wasn’t a big deal and I didn’t mind,” he said.
“But aren’t you busy?”
“I mean construction is starting, sure, but I don’t have to be out there the entire time. And again, it didn’t take me long. I’m happy to help.”
“And . . . you’re also happy to help my date pick out wine for me?”
“I am.” Nick’s voice softened. “Did you like it?”
I set my mug down and laid out completely on the couch. “I did. I only got one sip in though.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
“He fed you a berry, didn’t he?”
“He did.” I closed my eyes. I was pretty sure I was blushing from head to toe. “I really like him.”
“I can see why. He’s sweet and funny.”
