Page 50 of Something New

"I know it's not a long time that we'll be apart, and I know you have lots going on with E and your mom's party or whatever, but John-Michael I would loooove to have you here."

"I'll come then."

"Really? You're coming? How? Are you serious? Are you driving?"

"I don't know. I have to think about it. I'll probably look into flying and renting a car."

"John-Michael, I can't wait. Thank you. Are you coming?"

"Yes."

"You're coming to this party?"

"Yes. I'll come to Miami."

"John-Michael, thank you." I curled up to the phone and said it in a vulnerable tone because I was so very relieved.

"Are you sure you're okay? Are you going to be okay until I get there?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm safe. I'm just happy and excited to get you here."

"All right, let me go talk to my parents and work some things out with Ethan. I'll text you later once I make some travel plans. Text me your address so I can see where I'm going and book a hotel."

Chapter 17

We knew what time dinner would be served that evening, and I went to my room beforehand so that I could get ready. I still had another hour to go when I heard a knock at my door. I assumed it would be Jonathan. I made up a whole scenario where I would open the door and he would tell me that he was too bored and excited to be in his room alone and he wanted to stay in mine.

I was smiling and expecting that to happen when I opened the door, but instead, Nick Butler was standing there. Deadpan. I had been at his house for the last eight hours, and I had never met him in person. I knew what he looked like—a dark-eyed mysterious, tattooed, Zayn Malik-looking guy. He was larger in person than I expected. He was as tall as John-Michael. I smiled, trying not to look disappointed when I noticed that it wasn't Jonathan.

"Hey," I said, blinking. "Hello."

"Hello, yourself," Nick said staring at me with a wide smile. His eyes were heavy-lidded and his expression was full of mischief.

"I'm Sadie," I said.

"Shy, right?" He spoke calmly, his voice low.

"Yeah, Shy."

"Not too shy, I hope," he said, grinning at his own joke as he shook my hand. He held onto it, and I pulled back casually, pretending I didn't notice what he was doing. "Do you mind if I come in?"

I stood back and extended a hand. "It's your house," I said. "Thanks for having us."

"Thank you for being here," he said, coming to stand inside my room. He looked around before making eye contact with me again. His hands were clasped in front of his body. He had on a three-piece suit in brown. Even with long sleeves and his collar buttoned, I could still see plenty of tattoos—they were all over his hands and neck, spilling onto his face. He had thin dreadlocks that were different shades of brown and blonde. He was a photographer's dream since he had so much going on visually.

"I mean for you to eat tonight, Shy, but I want pictures from the event, too."

"Sure, I planned on working during dinner. I can eat whenever."

"Tonight's for the staff. It's a dress rehearsal, if you will, for tomorrow night, so they'll all be dressed as they will be tomorrow night. I won't have you dress as the raven, but I would prefer all black, please. For you, and please inform your assistant. I have a pig on a spit that's going to be served by Filipino tribesmen after we are seated. Tonight is my gift to my servers for doing such a good job tomorrow night."

"That's really nice of you."

"I'm sorry that you won't get to relax and enjoy it tonight. I will want photographs."

"That's no problem. That's what I'm here for."

"Great," he said, that broad smile stretching across his face. "And I might have one more small job for you… after dinner."

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