“I guess.”
“Why Nick?” Cooper asked while his fingers made little circles on Farah’s bump.
“He’s fucking hot and smart and perfect. Fuck you for not noticing those things.”
Cooper laughed. “You need to get laid, B. You’ve been so pissy since you went abstinence.”
“I want Nick. No one else will do.”
Tawny and Farah smiled at me like they understood, but Cooper was too horny for his woman’s bump to care about my needs. After a minute, he looked at me and frowned in that jerk big brother way.
“If he hurts you, I’ll kill him,” Cooper sneered. “You tell him that.”
“No.”
“Tell him.”
Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms over my new boobs. “He isn’t scared of you. No one is. We just pretend to make you feel good about yourself.”
Cooper gave me a great smile and I couldn’t help returning it. “I don’t know anything about Nick, but he can’t be any worse than Deputy Dipshit.”
“That’s for sure,” Tawny said and we all nodded.
Farah stopped flirting with her man long enough to pay attention to me.
“Don’t let what you think Nick feels get in the way of having fun tonight. I assumed a lot about Cooper and I nearly lost him. Don’t assume anything about Nick.”
“Okay,” I said, smiling. “Sorry I called you a whore.”
“That’s okay. I’ve learned not to take anything you say personally.”
“Good strategy.”
Tawny smiled. “Bailey, I want you to go on your date with no expectations. Just have fun. When you try to force things, you can be a little…”
When Tawny didn’t finish, I muttered, “Did you just call me a bitch?”
Cooper laughed first then the sisters joined him. I rolled my eyes, but Tawny had a point. I needed to relax on the date and enjoy Nick’s company.
Driving to the restaurant, I had the whole thing planned out. I would play it cool and stop worrying. No more wondering about Farah and whether I was Nick’s second choice. Yeah, the whole thing was worked out.
Until I saw him looking so fucking hot in a blue tee and painted on jeans. Yeah, until then.
Chapter Six ~ Nick
I arrived at the restaurant before Bailey and decided to wait outside. Leaning against the Harley, I crossed my arms and ignored the girls smiling at me. They giggled even after I showed no interest in them. One of the many qualities I loved about Bailey was her inability to giggle.
Another amazing thing about Bailey was how she made a pink tee and jeans look glorious. She stood next to her SUV, looking uncertain as I approached.
“Hey,” I said, leaning down to kiss her. “What’s wrong?”
Bailey didn’t answer until our lips parted. The kiss was short and soft despite how perfect she looked in that tee.
“Am I your second choice?” she asked, eyes haunted. “Are you only going out with me because Farah isn’t available?”
Cupping her cheek, I hated the concern in her eyes. If she knew how I saw her, Bailey would never need to ask such questions. She’d likely think I was an obsessed loser too.
“I wanted you first, but you didn’t want me. Remember the trailer trash thing?”
“I don’t remember saying that.”
“Well, you did and I thought I had no shot with you. Then, I saw Farah and she seemed more…getable. I’m not saying she isn’t great, but she’s not you. None of the girls are you. They were all second choices and I decided second wasn’t enough. Does that make sense?”
“Farah has those big lips.”
“You have those pretty blue eyes and that big smile. This soft hair,” I said, running my fingers through it. “I knew your hair would be soft and I often thought about touching it when we sat in class.”
“You were so hot for me,” she whispered, grinning. “No one else would do.”
“No one.”
We both smiled then she sighed. “I like you so much. Like crazy too much. I don’t want to pretend otherwise.”
“Then don’t. No offense, but you worry too much about what other people are thinking. Besides, you usually guess wrong anyway. Just relax.”
“If you run away from me, I’ll hunt you down. I’m not kidding,” she said and I had to laugh. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you planning to run?”
“Run where?”
“Away from me.”
“I’ve been waiting for you for a year.”
“Yeah, but that was a fantasy version of me. The real me isn’t as great.”
“Bailey, shut the fuck up,” I said, taking her hand and tugging her towards the restaurant. “Let’s have dinner.”
“Don’t tell me to shut up.”
“Or what?”
Bailey sighed so loudly that I stopped and pulled her to me.
“You are beyond beautiful,” I whispered, kissing her softly.