Page 12 of Big Nick Energy

All with a smile.

One I knew he didn’t share with too many people. “How about Saturday at eight?”

“In the evening?” There was no hiding the fact that it sucked hearing I would have to wait so long to see him. I knew by the intense way he stared at me that it wasn’t a detail he’d missed.

“Morning,” he corrected.

“Morning?” I squeaked. My eyes widened, and he nodded.

“Baby girl, you don’t know this yet, but I’m finally taking my chance, and patience isn’t my biggest forte. You agreed to hang with me. I’m going to milk that for all its worth until you tell me you need your space.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“You will,” he said like a vow, and I exhaled choppily. I had no idea what that meant. And usually, I wasn’t a fan of surprises or the unknown. I might not plan everything to a T like my brother or best friend, but I liked to have a loose roadmap of sorts.

Yet looking into Nick’s eyes, I was okay with finding things out when the time was right. Especially when Nick’s words floated through my head.I’m finally taking my chance, and patience isn’t my biggest forte. You agreed to hang with me. I’m going to milk that for all its worth until you tell me you need your space.

“Okay,” I found myself agreeing and surprising the two of us.

“Saturday at eight,” he confirmed. There was something sexy about the way he sounded like our date was a done deal.

“Should I meet you some—” I started to ask, but he shook his head.

“Nope. I’ll be at your apartment. Wear something cozy. It’s going to be chilly.” He squeezed my hand before shutting my door for me. “Drive safe, Blanca,” he instructed, his voice deep and meaningful in a way I felt the instructions between my legs.All I could do was nod and smile. I started my car, but he didn’t move. He simply stood next to his truck while I backed it up and drove home.

It wasn’t until I was back at my apartment, lying in my small bed, that I realized I never told him where I lived.

5

Blanca

“Earth to Blanca. Hello?” At the sound of my name, I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to look at my best friend.

Even though Libby and I had known one another since middle school and she was like a sister to me, whether she dated my brother or not, it was always shocking to see how beautiful she was. Her almost white-blonde hair, big eyes beneath her dark glasses, and dainty princess-like features made her seem almost ethereal.

“I’m sorry, what were you saying?” I asked, trying to remember where I started to zone out, but I couldn’t remember. “Something about a class?” I guessed because as beautiful as Libby was, she was twice as smart. She was always talking about her classes. That or my brother, which was a gross but necessary evil if I wanted her to be my sister for real at some point.

“Class?” Her lips twitched and her pale brows bunched, “What’s going on with you?” my best friend asked way too intuitively.

“What do you mean?” I tried to pretend I didn’t know what she was talking about.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t been able to sleep wondering if Big Nick Marsh had actually showed up and asked me out after my shift last night.

It wasn’t like I had been distracted as hell at work, so much that Candace thought I was exhausted and sent me home early.

It wasn’t like I had burned a batch of cinnamon rolls, something I had baked so many times, I could make them with my eyes closed, and why my sister, mom, and brother were out at the store picking up dessert while I washed dishes and Libby helped dry and put them away.

“What do I mean?” Her eyes bounced with amusement. “I mean… something’s up with you.”

“Me?” I squawked, feigning innocence.Nada de ti es inocente!Not one gram of me was pure, especially not my thoughts when it came to Nick and his BDE.

“You’re… squirrelly.” That made me laugh.

“Squirrelly? I’m not even sure that’s a word?—“

“You’re avoiding the subject,” she noted. Her green eyes locked on my face. I loved Libby, but since she started dating my brother, she was bossier. Something I had a feeling that had rubbed off from Crank. Her hip-bumped mine, and I winced.

“Ouch!” I pretended it hurt. “Watch your boney butt.”

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