Page 45 of Valentine's Daddy To Go
Nash decides to look over at me in that moment, and I can’t help but blush. The truth is, I feel the exact same way Amy does, which makes sense because we’re best friends. It wasn’t totally unsurprising to me that she could find herself so happy in a situation like this one.
Personally, I never thought I’d enjoy being a lady of leisure. I’ve always been a self-starter. Even before my parents died, I had this sort of independent thing going on. It only became more intense when I had to start taking care of everyone around me.
After all, I got myself through college, got my degree in accounting and was on my way to becoming a CPA while half-supporting my brother’s entire family.
I guess because I’ve been doing it for so long, I just thought thatthis is how life is. But I took to being Nash’s kept woman like a swan to water.
“Yeah, it’s been nice,” I murmur, agreeing with Amy’s statement. “It’s so nice to have someone take care of me for a change. This is the first time I haven’t been constantly stressed while worrying about real world stuff.”
Colt and Amy laugh politely, but Nash throws me another one of those unreadable looks. The rest of dinner is amazing, the conversation and wine flowing. It’s wonderful to catch up with my best friend and to see Nash laughing with his.
We eat as much as we can, but there are still quite a lot of leftovers. Brenda and I definitely overdid it earlier today. It’s okay though. We can just eat the leftovers throughout the week.
“That was amazing, Nellie. Thanks for doing this for us,” Colt compliments the food.
“Yeah, no problem. It was my pleasure.”
“Why don’t we go to the living and have a few more drinks?” Nash recommends. Everyone seems on board, and the four of us head that way. There’s a fully stocked bar out there, so we should be more than good.
Nash pours glasses of wine for me and Amy, and then some hard liquor for himself and Colt. We sit next to our respective partners on the couch.
“How long have you two gals known one another?” Colt asks.
“Oh,” I say, pushing the hair from my face, taking some time to think about it. “It has been a long while. Maybe middle school?” I look to Amy for reassurance.
“Yeah, we met in the sixth grade. My family had just moved to Fresno, and Nellie was like this one-woman welcoming committee. She was the first person who made me feel like this place could be my home.”
“Aww, thanks. You made me just as happy, too.” I smile at my friend, thinking about all the happy memories we have, and how they led us here. I turn to the male members of the party. “How did you guys meet?”
Colton and Nash shoot each other looks that makes me think it might not be the most PG story.
“We met each other a little later in life,” Colt starts.
“Yeah,” Nash adds. “We met maybe ten years ago. And honestly, I kind of hated this guy the first time I saw him.”
“Not gonna lie, I hated you, too.” Amy and I look at one another, totally shocked. They seem really buddy buddy now.
“What are you guys talking about? Why did you hate each other?” Amy asks. The guys make another face, but this one looks more like embarrassment.
“What? What is it?” I probe. Now I want to know more than ever.
“Okay, don’t judge us,” Nash starts.
Colt nods, looking sheepish.
“It was over a girl. Now I don’t want to get into details, but it was dumb, and it was stupid, but it all worked out in the end, so everything’s fine,” Colt grins.
“Yeah, it’s really not the big of a deal,” Nash adds on. I look between Nash and Colt before my eyes settle on Amy. She gives me the same look I’m giving her, and the two of us bust a gut.
Neither Nash nor Colt look particularly pleased with our helpless laughter, but they let us have our moment. I know they probably won’t get into the specifics right now, but I am beyond curious to know what exactly it was they were fighting over when it comes to this mystery woman. And then, how did they squash whatever beef was between them in order to get to a point where they could run a business together?
So many questions.
The laughter subsides, and we move on from that little distraction. The night is winding down, but we keep talking. There’s so much to talk about even if it is a lot of idle chitchat. I rest my head on Nash’s shoulder, finding comfort in his warm body.
Colt and Amy have kind of gotten into their own little conversation while looking deeply into one another’s eyes. Maybe they want to head home now. I’m sure they have fun plans of their own once they get home.
“Why don’t you move a little closer, baby?” Colt directs her in a low voice.
