Page 192 of Scattered Glitter

My phone buzzes again, pulling me out of my thoughts once more.

Don’t leave me on read, Little Thief.

He isn’t here yet. You don’t have to worry about me.

You know people still worry even if you say don’t worry, right?

Before I can think of a reply, a black Porsche pulls up to the curb.

Of course, he drives a Porsche.

The thing is all dark, glossy curves like it rolled off the set of some action movie or out of a luxury showroom. Nicholas steps out in a pair of jeans that look as though they were made for him, a fitted shirt that clings to his broad chest and shoulders in all the right places, hair perfectly styled.

We seem to have both gotten the dress code memo of ‘casual but hot.’

The soft light of dusk catches his face, casting shadows over his jaw, and that stupidly perfect smile spreads across his lips as I quickly type out a reply to Koen.

He’s here. Gotta go.

I click off my phone, slipping it into my purse as he approaches, his warm gaze taking me in. My fingers brush against the USB I packed, making sure it’s still there in case this evening ends up at his place after all.

“Hey, you,” he says, stepping in close and wrapping me in a hug like last time—way too comforting.

I pull back, smiling up at him. “Hey, yourself.”

He glances up at my building, taking in the worn brick, maybe even the scratched paint on the door. I wait for the comment, the judgment, but instead, his eyes find mine again, and none of the warmth there has disappeared or changed.

“I’ve been looking forward to tonight.” He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with a careful touch. “You ready?”

I manage a nod, even though my heart is practically pounding out of my chest. “Yes,” I say, but in my head, a tiny, nagging voice whispers,No.

He grins, holding the door open for me as I slide into the passenger seat. The car is immaculate, like him. My pulse picks up even more, and I feel the urge to grip something, anything, as my nerves start to spill over, so I grip my bracelet. Koen’s voice returns to my head, reminding me to breathe, and I close my eyes for a moment, focusing on the sensation of the chain and the faint scent of leather.

Nicholas climbs into the driver’s seat, his eyes flicking over to me with a hint of concern. “You good?”

“Of course,” I lie, maybe not so smoothly.

The Porsche purrs as he pulls away from my apartment, weaving through the city lights. The Nova frombeforewould have loved to be in this car. Now, I relax into the seat, pretending that the low hum of the engine doesn’t make me want to puke.

He seems perfectly at ease, one hand on the wheel, his other arm casually resting between us.

“You seem a little…” His eyes soften as he studies me with a quick glance. “Nervous?”

“Maybe a little.” I shrug, forcing my tone to sound casual. “You know… date nerves.”

“Good.” He raises an eyebrow, looking almost relieved,as if he’s been holding something back. “Because I’m nervous as hell.”

“You’renervous?” I blink. “You don’t exactly strike me as the type.”

His true self might be a little shy, but when it’s only the two of us, I’ve seen his confidence slip through. The last few times we’ve been alone, he seemed surer of himself than I expected.

“Well, I am.” He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck, and it’s so endearing, so unexpectedly boyish. “Sometimes I wonder if I should be more… chill or something. But then I see you, and I realize…” He pauses, his gaze catching mine again. “I like the way I feel around you. I really do.”

My cheeks flush, and I can’t help the small smile that pulls at my lips.

Stop it, Nova.

“Well, I like it, too,” I admit. “Spending time with you, I mean.”

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