Page 19 of Falling for Nicole
Chapter Five
Nicole
Working with Declan is…interesting. I was worried about him continuing to be an arsehole to me at work, but he hasn’t been all that bad. The biggest problem is that he blows hot and cold like the fucking weather. One minute he’s fine and I start to believe we could actually turn our relationship around, and then it’s like I blink and he’s pissed off and starts throwing his weight around like he owns the place, which I guess he does…but still. It’s irritating as fuck. I never know what mood he might be in.
I’d presumed his temperamental moods were because he was stressed about the shack opening, but when I arrive at work to do the final preparations before his VIP guests arrive for the test drive opening night, he’s coiled tighter than a bloody spring and it’s nothing like I’ve experienced the past few days.
“I’m heading home to get showered and ready. I suggest you do the same,” I say, poking my head into the office. The look on his face when he turns to me says he thinks I’m crazy for leaving. “Everything’s ready to go, Dec. And everyone coming tonight is your friend. They won’t mind if we have a small hiccup. That’s what tonight is about; a test run for tomorrow.”
“I guess.”
“Come on.” I walk over and grab his arm to physically drag him out if I have to. The second we connect, tingles rush up my arm. My immediate reaction is to pull away but when his eyes meet mine, I’m powerless.
Standing to full height in front of me, he holds our connection. His scent engulfs me, and my mouth waters as my chest starts to move at a more rapid pace.
Neither of us does anything for the longest time. It could be mere seconds or long minutes; I’ve no idea.
Our connection is broken when Dec suddenly barges past me, telling me to get a move on. If it wasn’t for the tingles I can still feel up my arm I would have thought I’d imagined that moment between us.
Pushing the feelings he ignited within me aside, I grab my bag from the chair and follow him out.
“Don’t be too long,” he orders before locking the door and marching off towards the car park.
I’m left feeling utterly confused. I know he’s worrying about tonight, so I guess I just put the whole thing down to his apprehension. I’m not stupid enough to think I could have something to do with his mood swings. There’s no way he keeps having these little moments where all he can see is me, like I do him. I keep putting it down to the fact that aside from Lilly, he’s the only one to show me some kindness and help me out, even if his sister forces it. I’m allowing my appreciation for this job to take over my imagination. There is nothing between us, and there never will be. It’s best I remember that a little more often.
* * *
He’s already there when I get back just over an hour later. I’m wearing my first Dec’s Surf and Shack t-shirt with a pair of skinny jeans, feeling ready to get this show on the road.
“Hey,” I say, dropping my bag and jacket in his office.
He looks up at me, his face hard. His eyes run over me briefly, and I notice they pause on the logo that’s covering my left breast. “What are you waiting for?” he snaps. “Get out there and make sure we’re ready.”
“It’s going to be fine, Dec. Stop stressing.”
“This is my life, Nicole. I’ve put everything I have into this place. Do not tell me not to stress.”
Putting my hands up in defeat and deciding not to reply in case I say the wrong thing again, I back away and head out to the bar.
The whole place looks incredible. The solar lights on the decking outside bathe the whole area with a soft inviting glow. The stage in here is all set up and waiting for the first of it’s performers to take to it and the colourful array of bottles behind me look enticing enough to try some of the elaborate cocktails on the blackboard next to them. Lilly’s done an incredible job with the decoration and I have no doubt this place will be a huge success with the younger population of this town. From what I’ve seen in my short amount of time here, there aren’t many places for them to hang out.
It’s not long before the rest of the staff arrives. Along with two chefs, Mick and Shawna, we have five bar staff/waiters. Will, Ethan and Jess are students and Emily and Freya are both working part time around their kids. I may have only met them all once, but I think we’ve got a good team. They all seem enthusiastic and hard working. What more could you want?
As soon as I let them all in, they get straight to it. By the time the guests start arriving, we have trays of complimentary cocktails and nibbles to greet them with.
Dec seems to have sorted his face out because he smiles brightly as he thanks everyone for coming and graciously accepts their praise for the place. It takes a few strange looks and cheeky winks in my direction for me to remember that I’ve probably seen most of these people before—or should I say, they’ve seen me. They’re mostly Declan’s friends so they will have been at his house the night I was prancing around drunk on his table. My face flames red as I’m reminded more than once that everyone around me seems to have a better recollection of that night than I do. More than one guest offers to buy me a sex on the beach, to which I politely decline. I’m sticking teetotal after that performance.
The night is a huge success. The alcohol flows and the food is polished off with moans of approval. By the time people start heading home, I’m pleased to see a genuine smile starting to twitch at the corners of Dec’s mouth. Maybe he’s starting to believe how amazing this place is going to be.
Once everyone’s left, Dec takes a seat along with BJ and Liam while we continue to clean up around them.
“Dude, this place is awesome,” BJ exclaims.
“If it stays like this, it should be okay.”
“Don’t be so negative,” Liam chips in.
“I’m not. I’m being realistic.”
