Page 128 of Hale Yes
“Awww, I hate that,” Pop says, taking my bag from and leading me to his parked car in the lot. “I really like him, honey.”
Me too, a tiny voice says, but I swat it away.
The past couple weeks have been eventful, to say the least. The woman who broke into Helix’s office at the lab has been identified, and charges have been brought for breaking and entering, corporate espionage, and a laundry list of other crimes. The detectives called to let me know I’ve been completely exonerated, though they did ask if I knew anything about the video “an anonymous source” sent to Helix. Apparently, he didn’t rat me out and tell the cops it was me, which I guess gives him half a point in his favor. He’s still about minus five-thousand though, by my estimation.
Charges are also pending against Joyce, my ex-boss at Aquarius, and Dr. Wilhelm, which makes me happy. Well, happy is a relative term at this point. I’m not sure I’ll ever be truly happy again. Not now that I know what it feels like to be in love. As mad as I am at Helix, I still love the asshole.
“I’d really like for you to stay at the house instead of a hotel, Nicci. It will always be your home,” my father is saying, and I snap back to the conversation. I don’t even remember getting in the car, but apparently I did because I’m in the passenger’s seat and we’re pulling onto the highway.
Pop is looking hopefully at me, but the last thing I want is to be in my parents’ house, not just because my mother and sisterare nightmares, but it’s also the first place I slept in a bed with Helix.
He finally told me about the whole situation where he woke up with me holding his dick and sleeptalking about corn dogs. I was mortified at first, but it quickly turned funny, in hindsight. We still laugh about the corn dogging incident sometimes.
No,laughed, past tense.
“I’m going to stay at the hotel where the wedding is being held, Pop. It will be more convenient.” Then I decide to tell the full truth, finding the strength to stand up for myself. It’s ironic that the man who broke my heart is the one who kick-started my ability to do so.
I add, “Ma and Angelica make me miserable, and I don’t have to sit around and be treated like shit. Plus, it’s not really my home anymore since Angelica has my room now.”
Pop’s mouth gapes open before he snaps it tightly shut and nods. “I understand.”
When we reach the hotel, my dad hops out and gets my suitcase from the trunk. I give him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
When I enter Bridgewater Hall alone that evening, I feel awkward. This is the same place where Angelica’s engagement party was held, and I try not to dwell on the fact that the last time I was here, I was much more comfortable becausehe who shall not be named but it rhymes with Felixwas with me.
I wish Austin was here. He’s the cool cousin everyone likes, and I could have hung out with him tonight. But this dinner is only for the immediate family and the bridal party. I think Popprobably put his foot down about the price for this extravagant wedding Angelica insisted on having.
And you’ll probably never get married because you don’t have a man.
Paging Nicolette Bell, pity party for one. Your sad little life is ready for you.
I purposely showed up just before dinner was served so I could minimize the amount of time I had to spend mingling, especially with Ma and Angelica. Speak of the devils, Ma is seated directly across from me when I find my seat. Pop is on her left side, and Angelica and Rory to her right.
My mother puts on a fake smile for the other guests. “Nicolette, so nice to see you. That dress is an interesting color choice.”
I don’t even glance down at my purple fitted dress that hits at a modest length above my knees. I know this color looks amazing with my green eyes. Hel—he who shall not be named but it rhymes with Felixtold me so often. In fact, he bought me this dress one day when we were shopping at a lovely boutique in Rice Village.
“Thank you, Ma,” I say mildly, though I know she didn’t mean it as a compliment. “And mustard-yellow fits your personality perfectly.”
Her eyes widen and then narrow, like she’s trying to figure out whether or not I just insulted her.
Angelica’s blue eyes sparkle with that look I’ve become all too familiar with over the years. “Hello, sister. Where is yourboyfriend?” The last word is delivered with a nasty sneer, and I feel myself shrinking as I take my seat. I don’t want to. I’d rather retreat to the restroom area and touch the wall whereheand I shared our first kiss.
As I open my mouth to tell my predetermined fib, I smell him, the rich bergamot mixed with hints of vanilla. Jesus, I’vegone completely crazy. I see his handsome face in my mind all the time, and now I’m freaking smelling him?
“Sorry, I’m late. Had some things I needed to attend to for my family.”
Super-dee-duper. I’m hearing his voice now too. Someone call Tranquil Minds Behavioral Health Center and see if they have an extra bed available.
But then a large body sinks into the chair beside me, and I realize I’m not hallucinating. When I turn my incredulous face to the left, my lips receive the sweetest kiss ever.
“Hello, sweetheart. You look absolutely stunning tonight.”
Oh my fucking hell.He who shall not be named but it rhymes with Felixis here.
The guy—that’s his new moniker because that other is growing tedious to think—sits beside me for the entire dinner. And he won’t stop freaking touching me. A casual arm draped over my shoulder. A not-so-casual hand on my thigh.
I hate that I like the warmth it brings to me… the elemental confidence I feel just by having him by my side. Ma and Angelica refrain from any of their snarky barbs, which makes dinner an almost pleasant experience.
