Page 53 of Wild For You
I could feel Kelsey’s eyes darting between Nicole and me. Thankfully, Mom broke any tension as she moved around me and hugged the woman wearing designer clothes. “Hello, Nicole,” she said, giving her a warm hug. Nicole returned it without moving her eyes from me. “I’ve been meaning to call to see if that jacket ever came in. With the weather getting chillier, I’d love to have it.”
The mention of clothing broke Nicole free from her stare, and she immediately apologized to my mother for not calling sooner, but the jacket had just arrived that morning.
“Wonderful. Now, I see you’ve met my son’s girlfriend, Kelsey. She’ll be attending a wedding as his date and needs a dress for the occasion.”
Seems everyone was on the same page as the doctor, assuming Kelsey and I were an item. I looked over at her at the mention of her name and found her frowning as our eyes met.
“Mom,” I said as I started pulling Kelsey aside. “Why don’t you go see where the girls are? Alex was coming straight from her shop, but everyone else is meeting us here.”
“Of course, dear.”
I didn’t care about Nicole’s reaction as I tugged Kelsey toward the exposed brick wall with a gentle hand on her arm.
“Look, I’m sure you have questions,” I said immediately once we were out of anyone’s earshot. There were a few other shoppers in the store, who I didn’t want to overhear our conversation.
“Clearly. I mean, her reaction said enough.” Kelsey tried pulling away, but I wasn’t letting her go anywhere. Even though I released her arm, I stepped into her space.
“Look, I’ll make this short, and we can talk about it in more detail later, but Nicole is… complicated. We dated in high school, and then she dumped me the night of our graduation. I didn’t take it well and had sworn off relationships ever since.” I swallowed thickly. “Until you.”
She seemed too agitated to take in the significance of the last part I said and focused on the part where Nicole was my ex. “And what? We’re shopping at her store now?”
“Yes. I know none of it makes sense. Hell, nothing in my life made sense over the last year. Not until you came into my life. I promise I will tell you the entire sordid, embarrassing story tonight, but I promise you that I would not bring you here if I didn’t believe she has the best clothing in town. She works with actual fashion designers, Kelsey. I want you to wear the best dress money can buy, and that’s here.”
“It just… feels weird. That’s all.”
“I know. I get it. But that’s why I recruited backup,” I said as I glimpsed over my shoulder to see my sisters waltzing in like they owned the place. They probably did, considering how often they shopped here. Alex had her arm looped through Autumn’s,walking with a bit of a waddle even though she still had ten weeks left to go in her own pregnancy. They waved when they noticed us. “I want you to enjoy yourself today. My sisters are dying to play dress up with you.”
“Oh God. You’re throwing me to the wolves.”
I chuckled. “Pretty much. And just remember, you’re the one coming home with me.”
Kelsey’s hazel eyes disappeared behind her lids as they rolled. “That’s because I live there.”
Leaning closer, I brought our lips within inches of each other. “Is that the only reason?”
Just before I could kiss her again, Rory stepped into our bubble. “Break it up, you two. Ready to get started?” she asked her best friend, but her eyes were on me. I had a feeling she could tell there was something more happening between me and Kelsey than we wanted people to know.
“I suppose,” Kelsey answered through a sigh as I released her arm. “What areyougoing to do?”
“I’m meeting Nate at the bar down the block while the twins are in school.”
“What? Why can’t I go with you? This will be torture.”
Ignoring her statement, I took a step back and headed for the door. “Have fun,” I said, but Rory was already pulling her away.
Just as I tugged on the cold metal door handle, a soft voice I would have recognized in my sleep called out, “Andrew?”
I closed my eyes in an attempt to shut out any memories that sprang forth. Everything Nicole and I had was rocky at best, but I had a severe case of puppy love back then. She had been allmy firsts. First kiss, first round of bases, first homerun, and first heartbreak. It took me years to get over the betrayal. So coming face-to-face with her was not something I would have done for anyone by choice. But Kelsey deserved it.
“Nicole.”
“How are you?” she asked hesitantly, probably just as nervous as I was.
“I’m good,” I replied with a quick peek down at my leg as I held the crutch under my arm. “The store looks nice.”
“Thanks. It’s… everything I ever wanted.”
“I’m glad. Sorry to run out, but I have plans with my brother-in-law. Let that woman get whatever she wants. She’ll try to pay, but Mom has my card.”
