Page 80 of Until Nalia
“I’m sure he’ll be around this evening.”
“Cool.” She smiles as I slam her door then I wait for Nalia to get into her seat and buckled in.
I walk around the hood and get in then drive over to the restaurant where everyone is waiting for us. The moment we step inside, Bion greets us with a huge smile then ushers us over to the table where everyone is already seated and starts taking drink orders. He’s so happy to have us back, he offers us a couple appetizers on the house and sits down with us to chat while we eat.
By the time we’re all done, Sophie, Nico, Bax, and Sage have all promised to come back again and tell everyone they know about the restaurant, and we are all so full that we can barely walk out the door. It’s a good meal and good to see Nalia so relaxed and at ease with her parents after the last time I saw them together. I’m glad she’s so relaxed with me spending time with her and the people most important to her.
Twenty-Three
NALIA
With Logan’s hand wrapped around my thigh, the sun beats down on us. He exits the dirt parking lot of Olive and Oregano behind my parents, who are headed to their place with Zuri. Their plans for the night also include Nash, who Sage is dropping off, a bonfire, s’mores, and night swimming. I’m kind of bummed that I’m missing out, but I’m also looking forward to a childless evening, even if I do feel guilty for looking forward to a childless evening. When Logan’s cell phone starts to ring, Billie’s name pops up on the screen, and he takes his hand away to press the button and answer the call.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hey, Dad, I need a favor.”
“Okay.” He covers my hand with his, twining our fingers together.
“I was wondering if you could bring me my school bag. I forgot it, and Cat and I are going to try to do some homework tonight so that we don’t need to do it tomorrow, and we can just enjoy a pool day.”
“You know if you would have driven your car currently sitting in the driveway you wouldn’t need me to drop stuff off to you.”
“Dad,” she groans, making me laugh, and Logan’s fingers around mine tighten. “I just got my license, and I don’t know if I’m ready to drive on my own yet.” She tells him, and I smile. Yesterday, she passed her road test, and we celebrated by going out to dinner since Kristy had already celebrated with her at lunch. She was relieved that she passed, but also nervous about the idea of driving without an adult in the car. It was cute, it’s still cute that she’s so mature and cautious.
“Alright, I’ll be there in probably thirty minutes. Is that alright?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Mom said she would take me, but she and Coop are baking, and I don’t want them to have to stop what they are doing.”
“It’s fine, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, Dad, love you.”
“Love you, too.” He hangs up the call and glances over at me. “You up to going with me to Kristy’s, or do you want me to drop you at home and you just meet me at my place in an hour or so?”
Oh shit.
I stare at him while my heart starts to pound.
“Ummm…”
“I’m good either way.”
“I…” Oh my god. “I think I’ll meet you at your place in a little while.” I finally get out.
“That works.” He brings my hand to his lips, kissing my fingers. When he pulls up in front of my house a few minutes later, I fumble with my seatbelt while he gets out and walks around to my door, opening it up. Instead of letting me out, though, he crowds me back into my seat and wraps his hand around my jaw. “I’ll call when I get home.”
“Okay,” I agree breathlessly, and he smiles before he leans down, kissing me. It’s not a soft, sweet kiss; it’s hot and filled with promise, which makes the nervous flutter in the pit of my stomach spread up my spine to my scalp. Pulling back, his gaze searches mine for a moment before he takes my hand and helps me out of my seat. My knees literally shake as he walks me to my front door, and I can’t even get the key in the lock because my hands are shaking so bad.
“You alright?” He takes the key from me, opening the door himself.
“Yep, totally,” I lie, and he smiles as I squeeze past him to get inside.
“I shouldn’t be more than an hour.”
“An hour, then I’m coming over to your place.”
“Unless you want me to come back here.” He takes a step towards me, and my whole body warms.
