Page 75 of Falling for Nicole
The second they see us coming, Dec and Lucas stand. I can’t help but laugh as I watch Lucas’ eyes bug out of his head when they land on Lilly. I understand why; she looks stunning. When I turn my attention back to Dec, I see his eyes darken as they drop down my body and to my exposed legs.
The sexy little smirk that plays on his face when his gaze comes back up to my eyes makes me wish we were alone.
“Looking sexy, ladies,” is called from the other side of the table, and I look over to see BJ giving Liv a salacious wink, while Liam sits there with his eyes wide and his mouth open.
Everyone soon gets distracted when a waitress comes over with glasses of prosecco.
Just like everything here, the food is out of this world, and the amazing service means the alcohol flows a little too well. By the time desserts are cleared and Dec and Lucas begin arguing over the bill, I’m feeling seriously buzzed despite the amount of food I’ve packed away.
“Car’s outside. Are we ready to party?” Lilly announces excitedly. It seems the bubbles have gone straight to her head as well.
Any images I had in my head of a couple of taxis sitting outside waiting for us are soon smashed when I see a giant black limo.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” BJ announces as he wraps his arm around Liv’s waist. Just over his shoulder, I spot Liam giving him a hard stare. What’s going on there?
I’m soon distracted from Liam’s obvious annoyance when I’m handed another glass of bubbles. The music starts the second we’re all in, and the limo pulls away. I’ve no idea where we’re going, and to be honest, I don’t really care. We could just drive around all night, and I’d be happy. I’m surrounded by people I love. What else could I need?
Declan
It wasn’t intentional for today to be about pushing Nicole to face her fears, but that’s kind of what it’s turned into, minus her afternoon at the swanky hotel. But as we get closer to our destination, I wonder if I’m about to push her too far.
Looking over, I see her laughing with Lilly and Liv. She’s smiling and her eyes are sparkling with happiness. My heart swells. This is how I want her to be every day, not fighting with her grief and the loneliness I know she’s been feeling.
Looking through the blacked out window beside me, I see the lights of the bar we’re heading towards come into view. It’s now or never.
As the driver comes to a stop, I watch as she looks out the same window. Her face drops the second she sees the sign. She narrows her eyes at me and I smile back. She can argue all she likes, we both know she’ll do it. She’ll eventually get up on that stage and sing her heart out, because it’s who she is. She was born to sing.
“Woohoo,” Liv sings as she jumps from the limo, quickly followed by BJ and then the others.
“I thought you’d decided you liked me.” Her pout makes me want to suck her bottom lip into my mouth.
“I do, very much. That’s why we’re doing this.”
“Dec,” she complains as I try to tug her from the seat.
“Let’s at least go in and get a drink. One step at a time.” She must read something in my eyes because after a few seconds, I feel her relax a little before she allows me to help her out.
“It’s a good job I’m kind of drunk right now,” she says, leaning into my ear as we wait to get in. She thinks she’s whispering and looks confused when everyone turns to look at her.
“I can’t wait to hear you sing,” Lilly says excitedly, and I feel Nicole squeeze my hand tightly.
We manage to find ourselves a table relatively close to the stage, where someone is currently belting out a horrendous rendition of Beyonce’sCrazy in Love.Everyone winces as she tries to hit the high notes.
Nicole sits like a statue next to me as the song comes to an end, like I’m about to drag her up there myself.
“Here we go,” Lilly and Lucas announce as they place a tray of drinks down on the table.
I’ve never seen Nicole move so fast. The shot glass is in her hand and up to her lips in a split second. I’m not sure she even has a clue what she’s drinking, although I’m not sure she cares.
“We’ll go and get some more then, shall we?” Lilly asks with a laugh as Nicole puts the second empty glass back on the tray.
She blows out a slow breath before turning to look at me.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m not going up there, though.”
“That’s fine. Whatever you’re comfortable with,” I say, knowing I’m stretching the truth slightly. We’re not leaving this place until she’s been up there and sang for the entire crowd. She needs to get back on the horse, so to speak, and this karaoke bar is the perfect place for that to happen.
