Page 36 of Wine & Whiskey
Glancing at his watch, he dials another number.
* * * *
Working side-by-side, Shae cuts the remaining fruit for the sangria, while Carrie shreds chicken for the enchiladas. After months of waking up in a different city every few days, being at home, cooking and hanging out with her friends, is a welcome change from the chaotic pace of a worldwide tour. She smiles to herself. Having Nick here is a nice adjustment too.
Her heart flutters at the thought of him. Today has been a turning point in their relationship. He helps her see past her hesitation and makes her mind accept what her heart already knows. She wants to be with him, a real couple, in an actual relationship. And tonight, they’re lucky enough to enjoy a simple dinner with friends.
Carrie gasps and jerks up. “Oh, shit! I left the cake in the car. Nathan, can you please go outside and get it? My hands are covered in sauce.”
“Yeah, just a second. Let me see if he makes this shot.”
Shae’s mouth waters at the mention of dessert. “What kind is it?”
“Black forest, chocolate with cherries and whipped cream on the top.”
“That sounds amazing.”
Never taking his eyes off the TV, Nathan stands up from the sofa and walks backwards to the garage door. “I’m only doing this because we’re dating. If we were married, I would tell you to get it your damn self.”
“I know, baby, but please save the dirty talk for the bedroom.”
Once a commercial appears on the screen, Nathan pushes the door open and walks outside. Shae laughs at the delayed departure, his unwillingness to miss even a single second of the game. “He’s such a guy.”
As soon as the handle clicks shut, Carrie pounces on her. “Good, he’s gone. I’m dying to know. Did you and Nick do it?”
“Carrie! That’s so tacky.”
“Tacky is spending the last two hours singingFireworkandBabywith a group of tone-deaf, karaoke-loving senior citizens. Now, I’ve done my good deed for the day, and I want my reward. Tell me!”
Heat crawls up her cheeks as her friend stares at her smiling and wide-eyed. Carrie knows her too well to be able to deny it.
“I knew it!” Carrie gives her an awkward hug, trying not to get sauce on her dress. “I’m glad to see you happy.”
“Thanks, I am happy. More than I’ve been in a really long time.”
“Soooo, how was it?”
Everything she imagined with a man who’s loving and protective, yet unbelievably sexy. His sweet murmurings in her ear, reminding her how much he loves her, how happy she makes him, how they belong together. Holding her so close, almost as if he couldn’t get enough. Blazing a fire through her while she melted from his touch. “Wonderful. He’s—”
“Huge, right? With a body like his, you can just tell he’s got a big—”
“Oh, my God! Don’t say it!” She shakes her head. “I was going to say he’s very generous. He seemed to care more about my, um, happiness than his own.”
“Oh, he was happy. Believe me.” Carrie winks at her, enjoying their conversation too much. “Guys get off on making girls scream their names.”
Shae laughs and rolls her eyes. The naughty book comes back to haunt them. “It wasn’t like that. I don’t know how to explain it. He just…I think he really does love me.”
The door swings open, and Nathan walks in carrying another large white box. “Damn. Remind me never to get on Nick’s bad side.”
Shae’s mouth goes dry, her declaration of joy short-lived. “What are you talking about?”
“He’s reaming somebody out on the phone. I wouldn’t want to be on the other end of that beat-down.” He sets the cake next to the rest of the food on the counter. “Shae, are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with this guy?”
Carrie shakes her head at him. “Don’t start.”
He shrugs before grabbing another sandwich and walking back to the sofa. “I’m just saying, does she really want to be involved with a guy when she can’t hear his phone conversations?”
Carrie wipes off her hands and puts her arm around Shae’s shoulder. “Nick loves you and wants to protect you. Remember what he told you about keeping his business and personal lives separate? That’s why he went outside.”
