Page 9 of Falling for Nicole
“Deadly. You’ll look gorgeous. Hopefully it’ll attract you some attention,” she adds with a wink. “Some of Dec’s friends are fine. Don’t tell Lucas I said that though.”
“Your secret’s safe.” I walk off into the en suite to attempt to squeeze myself into the scraps of fabric in my hand. “I’ve no intention of pulling any of Dec’s friends. Anyway, he’s probably already warned them all off me.”
“I doubt that.” She’s probably right; he doesn’t care enough to even mention me, let alone actively talk about me.
“See,” she says when I emerge. “I told you it would be perfect.”
I narrow my eyes at her as I stand in front of the mirror. She has a point. The fabric is much more forgiving than I was expecting, and my boobs and arse fit in almost respectfully.
“You look hot. Now, throw something over the top, and let’s go. He’s got a houseful of booze and food waiting for us.” As if on cue, my stomach rumbles, reminding me that I really should eat something before having any more alcohol.
* * *
Lilly had told me all about Dec’s house over the phone, but I wasn’t expecting something quite so impressive as the taxi pulls up out the front. It’s a three-story home with huge windows and a balcony to make the most of the stunning view of the sea beyond. According to Lilly, it wasn’t much more than a pile of bricks before Dec and his mates got their hands on it. I can’t help but agree that they’ve done an amazing job. It once again reminds me what the people I grew up with are now doing with their lives, while I feel like mine’s barely started. Lilly’s a mother and wife with a blossoming interior design career, while Dec runs a successful business and lives in this incredible house that he renovated with his own hands. I don’t think I could feel any more useless if I tried. I had amazing plans for my future; I was going to perform and write songs, but now? Now, that’s all just a distant memory. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be brave enough to get back up on stage again or be struck by inspiration to write a few lyrics, let alone a whole song.
I expect Lilly to stop and knock, allowing me a few more minutes to compose myself before walking into the lion’s den, but unfortunately she just lowers the handle and enters.
I swallow down my nerves and will my hands to stop shaking as I step over the threshold. I shouldn’t be this apprehensive about being in his house. Like Lilly said, he probably won’t even pay any attention to the fact I’m here. It wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t still reeling from our unexpected meeting yesterday. I almost didn’t go for a run this morning for fear of repeating the experience. He was out there again, but I’d learnt my lesson so I didn’t stick around and watch the sun rise.
I take no more than three steps and I feel his eyes on me. Glancing around the room I see a few people but no one’s paying me any attention. Taking in the open plan living and kitchen area, my eyes land on the huge folding doors leading to the garden and the majority of the guests. It’s then I find him. He’s stood in the centre of all the people with a blonde pressed against his side, but he’s ignoring everything around him as his eyes bore into mine. Even from where I’m standing, I see them darken in anger. Our gaze holds for long seconds; for some reason I’m unable to tear my eyes away. Eventually, he breaks our stare as his eyes drop and slowly take me in. My body burns as his heated gaze travels over the skin my shorts and vest expose. Anger boils within me that I’m once again having this reaction to him.
When his eyes return to mine, they’re darker still. My stomach drops as he goes to move. I expect him to march over and kick me out of his house, but instead he turns to the blonde attached to him and runs his hand from her arse up to her neck. Just before he lowers his lips to her, I see his eyes flick my way. Embarrassment floods my cheeks that I’ve been caught watching them, but it’s not enough for me to drag my eyes away as he shoves his tongue down her throat. Like a creeper, I stand and watch. They look like the perfect couple, both bronzed and toned; it makes me feel a little sick.
“I think I should go,” I mutter when I feel Lilly step back up to me.
“Don’t be stupid. Here.” I somehow manage to drag my eyes away from the perfect surfer couple in front of me to take the drink being offered.
Lilly takes one look at my face before glancing over my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Downing the drink she’s just given me so fast I don’t even acknowledge what it is, I nod, trying to convince myself that it’s true.
