Page 68 of Falling for Nicole
Chapter Fourteen
Nicole
These last two weeks have flown by. The weather picked up again last weekend and ensured that both the shop and shack have been packed with customers. By the time we’ve both made it back to my place after work each night, we’re utterly exhausted. Just like before our little misunderstanding, Dec has spent every night here with me. He’s even moved some stuff in. Neither of us has mentioned it but he has toiletries littered around my bathroom, and when I pulled a drawer out in my bedroom that I was yet to fill the other day, I found a few pairs of boxers and socks along with some clean clothes. It seems our relationship is moving faster than either of us has acknowledged, but I couldn’t be happier.
We still argue every single day about something ridiculous, but I don’t think we’d be us if we didn’t. I love pissing him off just about as much as I do making him happy. He’s incredible in bed on a normal day, but a pissed off Dec ensures I’ll have a wild ride, and I bloody love it.
We’ve barely seen anyone else besides customers where we’ve been so focused on each other and making up for our few days apart that when my phone rings, it takes me a few seconds to pull myself out of my Dec haze and grab it.
I don’t recognise the number but I swipe it to answer anyway out of curiosity. I expect it to be one of those rubbish calls about my non-existent PPI claim, so I’m shocked when I hear my name down the line.
“Yeah?”
“It’s Liv, Ryan’s sister.”
“Oh, hey, how are you?”
“I’m good. Molly gave me your number, I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, of course not. It’s good to hear from you.”
“I was wondering if I could ask a favour of you.”
“Go on,” I encourage.
“I got an interview for that job I was telling you about for a local radio station down there. It’s a few days before the wedding, and I could really do with getting away for a bit, but I’m a little skint. Is there any chance I could crash at your place for a few nights?”
“Of course. But you should know, my spare bedroom is tiny.”
“That’s fine. Anywhere is better than here right now—not that I’m saying your place is bad or anything,” she blurts out in a rush.
“I know what you meant. When are you coming?”
“The interview is Tuesday, so I was thinking I could drive down Monday, if that’s okay with you?”
“If you need to get away, why don’t you come for the weekend?”
“Oh my god,” she groans. “That sounds incredible. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I’ll be working most of it, so you’ll have the house to yourself. Although I should warn you, I have a broken dog right now.” I go on to explain what happened to Bailey, and when Liv explains her love of dogs, I know he’s going to love having the company while I’m at work and he recovers. Plus, it’ll save Lilly from her twice daily drop-ins to check on him for me.
No one’s mentioned anything about it yet, so I can only assume everyone’s forgotten, but this weekend is my birthday. I’m more than happy to let it pass us all by. This will be my first one without the person I usually celebrate with, although the last couple of years Mum had no clue what day it was, let alone that it was my birthday. We used to have great fun celebrating, and I’m happy remembering the old times. I’m surprised Lilly hasn’t said anything, though. She’s always remembered, but then I guess she didn’t have kids to worry about.
As the week goes by, I get more and more convinced that everyone’s forgotten. I spend my time either at work or getting the house ready for my guest. I may be a little over excited. I didn’t mention on the phone that at that point the spare room didn’t even have a bed in it, but a quick trip to IKEA in Dec’s van, and it’s all kitted out. The sheets are all freshly washed and ironed, and she has a new set of towels.
Liv and I really hit it off at the hen do, and I’m looking forward to getting to know her a little better. I love being down here close to Lilly, but she’s so busy most of the time. I’m looking forward to being able to hang out with another female. Dec’s amazing, but sometimes you just need a woman to talk to.
“You realise we’re going to have to be quiet while she’s here, right?” Dec ask as we sit and wait for Liv to arrive Friday evening. I managed to swap my shift so I could be here.
“I thought you were going to spend the weekend with BJ and Liam?”
“That doesn’t mean I wasn’t planning on sneaking over here,” he says, leaning over me until I have no choice but to lie back on the sofa. His forearms cage my head in as he peers down at me.
“What?” I ask, feeling a little shy under his intense stare.
“I love your freckles.”
“Really?”
