Page 68 of Enough
I nod my head.
“I understand why you didn’t call me back. Things are probably still fresh for you with Mike, and I…”
My hand stretches out to stop him mid-sentence. “No! That’s not true. I know what that might have seemed like to you, but I can assure you Mike and I have been over for a lot longer than we’ve been divorced.”
His responding smile causes my insides to blaze with heat. I’m afraid I’ve said too much, too eagerly. I sigh uncomfortably and he bends his knees slightly to gaze into my downtrodden eyes.
“So dinner, then? With me?”
I shake my head and close my eyes. I don’t know what to say to him.
“Come on, Ever. One meal. I promise I’ll be a perfectgentleman.”
I sigh, and I know he can tell he’s persuading me by my reaction to the crooked smile he gives me. It’s my smile.
My face twists as I try to understand why he would want to see me again. My heart is pushing me forward and my head is holding me back.
A second later, Cooper jogs back over to us. “Damn, she’s tough.” He’s obviously referring to Gwen. “So, did you ask Ev to dinner for fuck’s sake? What are you waiting for, you idiot?”
Nick sighs. “I tried. She won’t answer me. I don’t think she realizes I won’t quit until I get my yes.”
Cooper grabs Nick’s jaw. “Look at this poor, pathetic face, Everly.”
I can’t help but laugh at them as I cross my arms.
“The man just sweat his ass off coaching a bunch of kids. All he’s asking in return for all his hours of volunteer work is a simple dinner with you. How can you say no to him?”
Nick pouts.
I sigh as I turn my head to the side and eye them skeptically. “He’s fine.”
“I will be if you go to dinner with me.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” I ask.
“I shouldn’t have let it go fifteen years ago. I’m certainly not going to let it go now.”
I feel a surge at his words. How can I say no to him?
Cooper pats Nick’s back forcefully as Nick’s smile melts my heart.
“I have to go.” I glance toward the car and see Gwen and Kay watching me anxiously.
“Tonight?” Nick asks. “Dinner?” He reaches for my hand,and I lift my eyes to watch him take it in his. “I’ll never know anything about you if you don’t give me a chance. All I’m asking for is an hour or two. If I make you want to run away again, then I’ll leave you alone for good. What do you say?”
“What do you mean run awayagain?”
He pauses and sighs. I remove my hand from his when I catch a couple of parents’ eyes pinned to us. Just then, two of Marlow’s teammates approach Nick, asking what he thought of the game. I feel like I’m intruding on their conversation, so while his back is turned and Cooper is glancing at his phone, I slide away like the coward I am. I don’t know why he confuses me so much. Does he really want to see me again? This can’t be real.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and I reach for it as I hurry back to the car. It’s a text from Nick.
Nick:You’re running… Have dinner with me tonight? Last time I’ll ask.
I sigh and clench the phone in my hand. I don’t know what to do. Gwen and Kay jump out of my car as I approach them.
“He wants to take me out to dinner tonight. He says if I say no, he won’t bother me again. What do I do?”
Gwen and Kay gaze at one another, and Kay’s the first one to chime in. “You know I don’t like to tell you what to do, but in this case, if you let that man walk away, I’m going to pound you over the head.”
