Page 2 of Falling for Nicole
Chapter One
Nicole
I stand waiting for Bailey, my chocolate cockerpoo puppy, to relieve himself on Lilly’s front lawn, and look around. She really has landed on her feet with Lucas. The house is stunning, but it’s nothing compared to the view of the bay in front of me. I have a huge desire to put off knocking a while longer and go for an evening stroll along the beach instead.
Telling myself that I’ve put this off long enough, I square my shoulders and come to a stop on their doorstep. I haven’t allowed myself to think about what I’m doing the whole journey down here in fear I’d change my mind and turn around. But what’s the point? Lilly is the only family I have, and I’m fed up of being alone.
My hand trembles with my uncertainty as I lift it to knock the door, the fear of starting a new life beginning to get the better of me. Lilly might be the only person I have, and I do want to be close to her, to see her twins grow, but I’m also aware that means I’ll be aroundhimonce again. Declan made my childhood and early teens a living nightmare. His constant teasing and name-calling were relentless.
“OH MY GOD!” Lilly squeals when she pulls the door open. “NICOLE.” I think it’s safe to say she’s pleased to see me. I’m forcefully pulled to her before she wraps her arms around me tightly. The shock of the sudden movement means I drop Bailey’s lead, and he dashes off into Lilly’s house.
“It’s so good to see you, Nic. I’ve been so worried about you.”
Guilt washes through me. I know I’ve shut myself down since Mum died, but I couldn’t see any other way to get through it. It was almost as if my life ended that day, too. The sole purpose of my existence was to look after her. I’d given up my education, my job and my music. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, but when it was all over, I was left with nothing but the small, run down house we lived in, a few pieces of furniture, and an empty bank account. I was utterly lost.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I’m ashamed that the only thing I was capable of was hiding.
“Don’t be stupid. I understand. But I’m so glad you’re here now. Please tell me you’re taking me up on my offer of staying.” When she pulls back from me her eyes are sad and I’m reminded that I’m not the only one to have lost someone important to me. It was only a few short years ago that Lilly and Declan lost their older sister in a car accident. Her face immediately lights up when she sees my car. “Oh my god, you are!”
Everything I own is crammed into my little Fiat. There’s no hiding my plans.
“I’m so happy. You’re going to love it here.” She embraces me again before pulling me into the house, telling me about how they’re in the middle of celebrating Lucas’ birthday.
I’ve never felt so unsure of myself as the moment everyone in Lilly’s dining room turns to look at me. I’m under no illusion that I look a mess, but the sad expressions on their faces only remind me of how I’ve lived the past few months.
I tug on the bottom of my oversized jumper, starting to feel more and more uncomfortable and self-conscious as everyone’s attention stays on me.
Lilly starts introducing the people I don’t recognise, and I give a weak smile to Taylor, her old roommate, and Lucas, her husband.
It’s not until the room turns silent that I realise everyone’s no longer staring at me but instead at an empty place setting.
“Where’s Dec gone?”
My heart starts to pound as images of the last time I saw him flash through my mind. The feelings he ignited in me as he stared down at me in my hallway, urging me to do something, rush through me.
“No idea; he was there a minute ago,” someone says.
Does he hate me that much?
Lilly ushers me to another vacant seat at their humongous table before serving me a plateful of curry.
A few questions are thrown my way, but thankfully Lilly redirects the conversation away from me as I sit and push a few pieces of chicken around the plate.
I feel terrible. Everyone’s here to celebrate Lucas’ birthday, and I’m sat here like a wet weekend. I have the urge to excuse myself, collect Bailey from Taylor’s lap, and spend the night in my car. I don’t want to bring the atmosphere down on what should be a happy night for them.
“Is everyone okay for drinks? I’m going to show Nicole to the guest room.”
Everyone mutters that they’re fine and continue with their earlier conversations that I was too distracted to even acknowledge the topics of.
I follow silently behind Lilly as she makes her way up the stairs. This was a mistake. Lilly has enough to deal with already; she doesn’t need me getting in her way. The thoughts don’t stop me from walking into a stunning guest room with a ginormous bed with more cushions than should be possible to squeeze on.
“I can go to a hotel,” I offer weakly.
“Don’t be stupid, Nic. This is where you belong—until you find your feet, at least.”
I perch myself on the edge of the bed and look around the luxurious cream and gold room. “Your house is stunning.”
“Thank you.” She beams at my praise. “So when did you get Bailey?”
