Page 14 of Don't Regret Me
“If by big plans you mean ordering some room service at my hotel and watching a movie, then sure.”
He pressed his lips together, studying Nick for a long moment. “No.”
“What?”
“You need a real welcome to Gulf City. A buddy of mine is having a poker night. He’ll be more than happy to have an extra.”
“I…” Nick tried to find some way to say no without offending the man who’d been nothing but kind to him. He thought back on their conversation in the kitchen.I believe in second chances.Back home in California, Nick hated parties. He didn’t like schmoozing with the Hollywood elite. But this was different. Maybe it was time for him to be different too.
He’d probably regret this. “Okay.”
Jimmy’s smile widened. “Bentley, you coming? Jack would be happy to see you.”
Bentley shrugged in apology. “I need to get home. The kids should be back from my mom’s soon. You two get going. I’ll finish up here.”
Jimmy led him out. “Follow me. We’re going to my neighbor’s place.”
Nick slid behind the wheel of his rental BMW. It didn’t take long to get to their destination—a small concrete house with flowering bushes lining the walkway. It was a far cry from L.A. He parked along the street and waited for Jimmy to get out of his car before following. Meeting new people wasn’t a strength of his. He’d only known Jimmy for a matter of hours, but that was hours longer than anyone in that house.
The door opened before they knocked, and Nick looked down to find a small blond girl wearing a rainbow tulle skirt and a neon orange shirt. Leopard print leggings peeked out under the skirt.
“Jimmy!” She launched herself at him. He caught her before she could crash into him.
“What are you still doing awake?” He hugged her comfortably, and Nick wondered how someone could be so at ease with such small humans.
“Mom isn’t home from work yet, and you know Papa is a sucker for me.” She blinked up at him.
Jimmy shook his head and released her. “And your brother?”
“He tucked himself in bed, but he’s not asleep.”
“Is that because you keep waking him up?”
“Of course not.” Something in the way she said it gave Nick the feeling that was exactly what she’d done. “Papa is on the back porch.”
“Thanks, kiddo.” He ruffled her hair on the way by.
Nick assumed she’d return to her room or wherever she’d come from, but instead, she fell in step with him. “Who are you? I’m Evelyn.”
“Nick.” He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“That doesn’t tell me anything. What’s your story?”
“My… story?” How old was this kid?
She nodded. “Like, important stuff. For example, do you like to read?”
He wasn’t sure which answer she wanted. “Um, yes.”
“Good. What are your feelings about broccoli?”
“I don’t eat it.”
“Pancakes?”
“Best food ever invented.”
Evelyn stared at him before turning to Jimmy. “He can stay. Just don’t let him eat all my pizza.”
