Page 9 of Fate Forever and Always

It’s been a week since I moved in with Nick, and surprisingly, we’re not sick of each other yet. He hasn’t been home that much since he had some faculty meetings for back-to-school, but he has been making it a point to be home on time so we can have dinner together. I don’t know if that's more for him or me. Surprisingly, it feels kind of normal. I like it.

We’re going to the casino about an hour from home tonight. I can’t wait to let loose a little. I won’t be spending any money because I don’t have any to spend, but Aubrey insisted we go out for my birthday before the boys get busy with work and Brielle gets busy with school. Brielle is Aubrey’s sister, who is basically my little sister too. Brielle has been doing an internship at some art gallery all summer. It seems like she’s been working every time I try to talk to her. I miss her like crazy.

We all dressed up for the occasion. Aubrey hates getting all fancy, but she’s making me go, so I’m making her dress up. I’m wearing my best black dress. Aubrey bought it for me at one of the shops in Tennessee when she met her biological dad for thefirst time. It’s a bitch to get on because it’s so damn tight, but once it’s on, I look fucking hot.

“Nick, come zip me up,” I yelled.

I heard his footsteps coming down the hall from the direction of his room. He knocked first and asked if I was decent. It made me smile. This man is always so polite and proper. It’s hard to believe we’re even friends because it is just another thing that makes him different from me. Aubrey and I are so not proper. We are the exact opposite. Nick keeps Aubrey and me in line, so I guess that’s a good thing.

I had my back to him when he entered. “What did you—Oh damn.”

I started looking around me, then looked at him through the mirror. “What…what’s wrong?”

“You…You look—” Nick cut himself off and visibly swallowed. He ran his hand over the back of his neck nervously, and I could swear he was blushing. “Wow,” he added.

I smirked. “I look hot. You can say it.” I looked back at my reflection, trying my best to smile like I was unbothered. So far, it’s working, I think. I am usually okay until I get into bed and I’m alone. When I’m alone, I cry for hours.

“You look amazing, Cal."

“You’ve seen me in dresses before…plus I’m not even fully dressed yet, weirdo. Zip me up.”

Nick rolled his eyes, walked up to me, and looked at me in the mirror as he pushed my hair to one side. His scent clouded my brain for a moment. It was a citrusy, warm smell, like a late spring night.

“You are welcome for the compliment, Miss Priss,” he joked. His finger brushed my neck. Goosebumps immediately covered my skin.

“Are you trying to pick someone up tonight or something?” he asked.

I turned to him, acting offended. “Are you saying I look like a hooker, Nicholas?”

“Yes, I am. You are going to have everyone gawking at you.”

Looking back at myself in the mirror, I appreciated my curves. I noticed Nick was too, which gave me a weird but warm feeling in my stomach. “Perfect,” I whispered. “Just what I was hoping for. Maybe someone will want to make out with me.”

Nick rolled his eyes again. I could swear I saw him slightly blush, but he turned around quickly and told me to be ready in twenty minutes, or he was leaving without me. He wouldn’t, but I’m sure saying it made him feel better.

We got into the car thirty minutes later.

“Couldn’t leave without me, huh?” I gave him a huge smile.

“Fuck you,” he retorted with a laugh.

I shrugged. “I hope someone will.”

Nick's face quickly turned a light shade of pink. He seemed to shake off a thought. Then he looked me over, focusing on my legs. “Cal, are you sure you don’t want to wear pants or something? Maybe you will be more comfortable.”

I patted his cheek because his concern was so cute. “Thanks for worrying,Dad, but my legs will be fine. I might even find someone to warm them up.”

He pushed my hand away and made a weird grunting sound. He mumbled something under his breath, but I ignored him and blasted my music through his speakers. I texted Aubrey to let her know we were on our way.

When we picked them up, I got in the back with Aubrey so we could talk a little. She couldn’t get my deposit back for the rehearsal dinner, so we are still going to it and making it a fun dinner party with some free food for all my friends. I invitedNick, Brielle, her parents, my mom, August, and Liza to come for dinner anyway. August is Aubrey’s biological dad, whom I met in January. They were coming for the wedding, anyway, so why should they not enjoy their time here with some good food? I was trying my best to make the best out of the shitty situation.

“So, what are we getting into tonight?” Aubrey asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I gave her a weird look. “You mean, what amIgetting into? Lincoln wouldn't letyouget into anything other than his pants even if you tried.”

We both let out a loud laugh that had both the guys looking back at us. Aubrey waved at them to turn around and mind their business. Once they did, she linked her arm to mine and lowered her voice so only I could hear. “Very true, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. How about let’s just celebrate your birthday and have a fun night at the casino. We can worry about everything else later? You deserve fun. If that involves a sexy man, cool; if not, I’ll kiss you and tell you that you’re pretty, okay?”

I smiled, “You’re right. I deserve some fun. Let’s do it.”

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