Page 32 of Big Nick Energy

“Two hundred bucks.” That should have struck a red flag in my head, but with my head in the clouds, I didn’t pay attention. I’d simply thought that was easy enough. Usually, the kid was greedy. Especially this time of year.

“Alright, I’ll get that to you. Have fun and be safe. Talk to you later, love you.” I rushed off the phone, because god only knew what the hell I had just agreed to.

“Love you, too, dad.” I could hear my kid’s eyes rolling but didn’t comment before the call ended. I transferred him money to make sure I didn’t forget then went to wrap a little something I had picked up for Blanca.

I couldn’t sit long before I headed out early enough time to pick up flowers. I was at her apartment ten minutes early, and when she opened the front door, her eyes softened, but it was my jaw that was close to hitting the ground.

She looked stunning.

She was beautiful all the time. But in that moment? I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I’d wondered for a year and a half if she had ever worn the dress I’d bought her. What she would have looked like in it. But then I’d find myself pissed. Thinking about all the guys who would have looked at her. The shit they would have thought about her.

I shook off the green-eyed monster that had reared his head. Her dark hair was long and shiny, cascading down her back in soft waves. Blanca’s makeup was minimal. Soft and light. Giving her almost a natural glow.

The dress was long with a deep V-cut neckline. She had paired it with a cream-colored cardigan. She looked beautiful. If she had wings, she could have easily been the angel on top of a tree.

“You look beautiful, princess,” I complimented. Blanca blushed. “It’s perfect on you.” I caressed her cheek before kissing her forehead. Wordlessly acknowledging I knew exactly which dress this was.

“These are for you,” I murmured against her skin before pulling back and handing her the arrangement in my hands.

“Nick,” she whispered before blinking away the tears from her eyes. Her bottom lip wobbled, and her eyes became glossier as she took in the white and soft pink flowers.

“Hey, what’s that look about?” I asked, concern laced through my tone. She tore her eyes away from the flowers, and her eyes connected with mine.

“They’re so pretty.”

“Not as pretty as you.” I winked, and a soft blush, one that matched some of the soft pink roses, hit the apples of her cheeks.

“No one has ever… I mean, I’ve never got flowers from someone.” She pressed her lips together before raising her hand, resting it on the middle of my chest and raising herself to the tips of her toes. I leaned closer and felt her lips touch my cheek.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered softly enough that I knew it was meant for my ears only. I bit the inside of my cheek. I liked the sweetness in her tone right then and there. Glad as hell I’d stopped to get her flowers, and fuck me, I would be doing that more and more. Anything for her.

I loved knowing I owned so many of her firsts.

“You’re welcome, baby girl.” I winked. She hurried to put the flowers in her bedroom then came back. I watched as she made her way toward me, and it felt like time slowed down. I couldn’t believe she was mine.Mine. Finally. After all this time.

“Thank you again,” she said softly. We started to make our way out to the parking lot.

“For what?”

“The flowers. And the dress,” she added. “I hadn’t worn it yet.” My steps faltered slightly.

“Why?” I glanced at her as we walked hand in hand toward my truck.

“It didn’t feel right if…” She didn’t finish her sentence.

“If what?” I asked, because even though I had a feeling I knew why, I needed to hear it from her. We reached my truck,and I opened the door for her. “Why didn’t it feel right to wear it before?”

“Because it wasn’t with you,” she admitted, and I got that damn warm fuzzy feeling inside of me.

I was a grown man, long past warm and fuzzy. Or so I’d thought. It turned out a lot of shit I thought I had grown out of, I had actually never really experienced because it hadn’t been with Blanca.

We drove toward the city hall, where the tree lighting would be happening. There were two streets closed off full of ez-up tents and booths with different kinds of vendors that would be selling everything from knick knacks to food. Parking wasn’t hard to find, and when I did, I had her wait for me to open the door. After I helped her out, we walked hand in hand toward where the tree lighting ceremony was going to be.

“Did you eat lunch?” I asked, and she nodded.

“I did. But I wouldn’t mind getting a snack or something to eat after this.”

“That’s what I was thinking. What do you think about kabobs?” I pointed toward the booth, and she nodded.

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