Page 29 of Nova

10

Promise

The next morning, I'm quietly sitting on the sofa, with a throw draped across my legs, and a mug of coffee in my hand, as I search real estate listings online. I'm desperately trying to concentrate on the task at hand, but Cain keeps invading my thoughts.Focus.

"Hey, you." London greets me as she pads into the kitchen. "Why are you up so early? It's not like you need to get to that dreaded job anymore. You should relax, sleep in a little, take a long hot bath, and prune like a raisin." She pops a pod into the coffee machine and waits for it to brew.

I sigh and rub my temples. "I couldn't sleep. I've got a lot on my mind." I continue to stare at my laptop screen.

Strolling into the living room, London places a plate stacked with several doughnuts on the coffee table, then sinks to the sofa beside me. She tucks her legs beneath her and takes a sip of her coffee. "Your insomnia wouldn't have anything to with a particular biker, would it?" Looking up from the screen, I find my best friend smirking at me from behind her mug.

"Maybe a little," I decide not to lie.

"Girl. I don't blame you for losing sleep over that man. He is fine. And don't get me started on the way he looks at you. That man wants you bad." Setting her mug on the coffee table in front of us, she steals part of the throw I'm covered with.

"I'm not sure he's what I need in my life, Lon."

London twists her body to face me. "He's exactly what you need. Not everyone is like Brad," she says his name like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth. "I have to admit, at first, I was a little hesitant, knowing who he is. But, honey, the chemistry between you two is off the charts. Hell, I need a man like him."

Damn. What do I say to that? Nothing because London is right. I can't deny the way I feel around Cain. He's also nothing like Brad. Maybe that's what makes me a little hesitant to move forward into a relationship with him. Hell, I haven't even caught my breath since getting out of the last one. What if Cain isn't capable of long term?

"I hear those gears turning in your head, Promise. Stop overthinking this—whatever it is between you and Nova." Leaning forward, London grabs a donut from the plate on the table. "Just go with it." Tearing a piece off, she pops the bite of pastry into her mouth.

"I'm not getting any younger, Lon. I want to get married and have babies one day."

London shrugs. "Maybe Nova is the one to give you all those things. Then again, maybe he isn't." My friend falls silent for a moment as she eats another bite. "Sweetie, let it happen naturally. You never find love—it finds you."

Plucking a Danish from the platter, I take a bite. For a few moments, I try to let London's words sink in. I've been chasing all forms of love and acceptance my whole life.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" London asks. "I'm free. What do you say we do a little retail therapy?"

I smile. "Sounds good to me," I agree as I open my emails. Spotting a response from my acquaintance down at the courthouse, I open it. She was kind enough to email the court dates I needed. It looks like Cain's hearing is not for another couple of weeks due to the docket backlog. Grabbing my phone off the arm of the sofa, I send a text to Cain, letting him know. I wait for his reply, but my phone rings instead. "Cain."

"Hey, Sugar."

My insides melt, hearing his voice. My eyes cut to London, finding her eyeing me with a shit-eating grin.

"I ugh. I sent you the date of your hearing, but there is a possibility it could be pushed back to a later date."

"Yeah, babe. I got it, but I wanted to hear your voice." His tone sounds husky like he just woke up, and my mind immediately thinks of lying in bed beside him.

"If I need any more information before then, I'll be sure to let you know," I tell him.

"I'd like to see you today," he says.

"Today?"

"Yeah, babe—today."

At my side, London hangs on mine and Cain's conversation, and I think back to what she said earlier about letting go and just have fun. My silence goes unnoticed as I continue to overthink the invite.

"Have a drink with me—tonight before my shift starts at the bar."

"Are you asking me out on a date?" My stomach flutters with excitement.

Cain chuckles, and I can hear the smile in his tone when he answers. "Yeah, Babe. I guess I am."

Trusting myself, I jump into the deep end. "I'd like that." My reply has London throwing her hands in the air.

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