Page 3 of Falling for Nicole
I’m relieved that’s the question she starts with. I was dreading she’d go straight in with Declan’s disappearing act.
“About a month after Mum died. I needed someone to talk to, and I’ve always wanted a dog but she was allergic. I thought it was the right time.”
“He’s a real cutie.”
“He is. Cheeky as hell, though. He’s kept me on my toes.”
“Is he house trained?” she asks with a wince, clearly thinking about her expensive carpets.
“Yes. Well, he is at home, so I’m hoping that translates to here, too.”
“Me too,” she mumbles quietly. “What’s the plan then, Nic Nac?” The use of her childhood nickname for me makes me smile for the first time since she opened the door.
“No idea. It was just time to make a fresh start, so here I am.”
“What about the house and everything up there?”
“All sold and sorted. New people moved in this afternoon. It’s all over, Lills.” My voice cracks and a lump the size of a tennis ball appears in my throat. “Sh…she’s gone, and it’s over. I’ve no idea what I’m meant to do now.” Lilly pulls me into her arms and holds me while I cry.
“You can stay here as long as you need to. You know that, right?” she asks once I’ve settled down. “Do you have money?”
I nod. Mum didn’t own much of our house, but after all the fees and everything, I’ve walked away with a few thousand pounds. Enough for me to start over, but I’m going to need a job as soon as possible, as I don’t want to use it all for living. Ideally, I’d love to use it to buy a place of my own—if that’s even possible with the house prices down here.
“Why don’t you make yourself at home? Have a bath, relax. I’ll get the guys to bring your stuff from your car and leave it outside the door. I’d love it if you came down and had a drink with us, but you do what you need to do, okay?”
I nod again and pull her into another bone crushing hug. “Thank you,” I whisper, just about managing to get the words out through my clogged throat.
“Always. I’m here for whatever you need. Lucas too. Everything’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”
With one final squeeze, she gets up and walks to the door. “The en suite’s fully stocked, and make sure you turn the jets on—they’re incredible. I’ll be back in a few minutes with a drink for you.”
I watch her leave and quietly close the door behind her before falling back on the bed. I sigh as my body sinks into the thick duvet. I think I’m going to like staying here.
When Lilly returns, I’m in the en suite running the bath. I look back over my shoulder when I hear her knock and poke her head in. I can’t help but smile when I see she hasn’t just brought me a drink but an entire bottle of wine—and in a cooler no less.
She shrugs. “I thought you might have needed more than one.”
The second she leaves, I strip out of my clothes and slide my tired, aching body into the bath. I sink down until all but my head is submerged, and allow the hot water to soothe my muscles.
I hear footsteps and commotion outside the room. Lilly must have rallied the men to help with my stuff.
As I rest back with the scent of vanilla filling the air, I can’t help but feel at home—an odd feeling because I’ve never been here before. I may still be sceptical as to whether this was the right move or not, but it’s an amazing feeling to be near someone I love once again. For all intents and purposes, Lilly is my sister. We’ve been best friends since we were in nappies, so I have no doubt that coming to her is the right thing to do. It’s the other half of her I’m worried about. Her evil twin.
I try not to let thoughts of the last time I saw him back into my head. I’ve dissected every second of those intense few minutes with him the day of Mum’s funeral before I ducked under his arm and ran for the stairs. I still haven’t been able to make any sense of it, or the feelings it kick-started in my body. Then there’s tonight. Did he run away because he knew I was at the door?
* * *
I didn’t end up re-joining the others last night after my bath. I intended to; I didn’t want to seem unsocial, but I made the mistake of lying down on the bed before I got dressed. I swear I only blinked, but the next thing I know, it’s morning.
I sit myself up and find that the towel I fell asleep wrapped in is now in a pile on the floor and I’m naked. I quickly get out of bed and wrap myself in the cold, damp towel so I can grab my case that’s still out in the corridor where it was left.
The house is in silence and I understand why when I pull my phone from my handbag and see that it’s 5am. Pulling the curtain to the side, I see that the sun is just starting to rise. Feeling alive for the first time in months, I pull on a pair of leggings, a sports bra and my trainers with the intention of going for a run along the beach.
A thought suddenly hits me. Bailey. I glance around the room but I already know he’s not in here. I panic and my heart starts to pound. Where is he? I swipe up my phone and ear buds before rushing from the room.
Every door is shut bar one so I silently walk over and peek in. The room is pretty dark so it’s hard to see much but I can clearly make out two cots and a brown ball of fluff curled up between them on the cream carpet. I smile at the sight before whispering for Bailey. It takes a few attempts but I eventually get his attention. When he sees me, his eyes light up. He springs from the floor and rushes over, his tail wagging ten to the dozen.
“Hey, pup,” I whisper when he gets to me. “Were you protecting the babies? Come on, you’re going to love where we’re going,” I say as we make our way down the stairs as quietly as possible with an over excited puppy in tow.
