Page 33 of Codi
“You’re not really interested, are you?”
My mouth drops open as I stare back at him in shock. That was very forward, not what I’d expect from an Englishman. I figured they’d kind of be like... Europe’s version of our Midwest. Polite as can be to your face, ruthless behind closed doors. Then again, he isn’t exactly being rude. “Am I that obvious?”
“Just a bit.” Nicholas chuckles. “It’s all right. I had my own reservations about getting set up with one of Nancy’s friends. I don’t usually allow myself to get set up at all.”
I peer at him curiously. At least he’s honest. “Why’d you agree this time?”
“When in America.” Nicholas shrugs as he reaches for his ale and chuckles. “Maybe to say I went on a date with an American girl. Check that little box off the list, so to speak.” He drinks deeply. “And Nancy showed me your photograph, and you’re almost painfully pretty.”
That makes me giggle, which encourages his laughter as well. “Thank you,” I say as our food is brought to our table. Smiling at the waitress, I notice she keeps stealing glances at Nicholas whenever she comes to check on us. I don’t blame her at all. “If it’s any consolation, you might get her number at the end of the night.”
“Ooh, score.” Nicholas mimics an American “bro accent,” which causes us to both erupt in quiet laughter again.
“I’m sorry.” I rest my elbows on the table. “I haven’t really dated anyone since before my son was born, and I’m rusty, and... it’s just easier to be alone, you know?”
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand.” Nicholas nods a little. “I’m so busy working that I don’t think I even have the time to take on a girlfriend right now. She’d be absolutely miserable in her relationship with my voicemail.”
“It’s like you have an idea of what you want,” I say eagerly. “And nobody measures up, so why bother, right? Because they don’t exist.”
Nicholas chuckles. “Exactly.”
I find myself smiling genuinely, now. We’re clicking more than I thought we would, at least. “I say that, but... I kind of have a guy on my mind. And it wouldn’t be fair to string you along.”
“He’s a lucky man, whoever he is.” Nicholas smiles. “I’m only sorry this date didn’t work out quite the way Nancy hoped it would. We’ll have to break it to her gently.”
I snicker behind my hand. “Poor Nancy.”
We spend the remainder of dinner laughing and joking, and I’m far more at ease than I was before. At the end of the night, Nicholas doesn’t make any fuss about my insistence to split the check, and we walk outside together.
“Well, Denise, this was... surprisingly fun.” Nicholas slips his jacket on.
“It was.” I check my phone, hardly able to wait to get home. No messages. Codi probably has things under control. There’s no need to worry on that front.
“Would it be all right if I gave you a call the next time I’m in the States, take you and this man of yours out for drinks? My treat.”
I look at Nicholas in surprise. “You really want to do that, after... ”
Nicholas flashes a self-assured, handsome smile at me. “Of course. If nothing else, I made a friend today. I’d call that a success, wouldn’t you?”
Okay, this man is an angel. I can’t help but grin back at him. “You have my number.”
“I do.” He places a hat on his head. “Shall I walk with you to your car?”
“You know, normally I’d go the strong, independent woman route and say I’m fine, but, uh...” I say. “With all the stuff that’s been going on, I’ll take you up on that.”
“I won’t tell a soul.” Nicholas laughs. “Our secret.”
* * *
I fight with myself the entire drive home. To call or not to call? I keep wanting to say the words to activate my smartphone’s AI, but I stop myself over and over again. I don’t want to apologize and make amends like that. I want to do it in person, where I can see his eyes, his face, his smile. I want him to know I mean it when I say it.
The drive feels like the longest twenty minutes of my life, right up there next to waiting for the results of my pregnancy test four years ago. When I finally park in the driveway and head to the front door, I have to keep myself from practically flinging the door open.
It’s only ten o’clock, much earlier than I made it sound. Lucas is already in bed. I take off my high heels and tiptoe through the darkness, then set them to the side and walk barefoot through the corridor to the kitchen, where I turn off the light.
“Denise?”
In the corner of the living room, Codi awakens from standby mode. His eyelids flutter open and his pupils dilate before regulating and focusing on me. Relief sweeps through me. He doesn’t look angry, at least. “I expected for you to be out far later than—”
