She was everything Kara wasn’t, though I really didn’t even like to compare the two. She was carefree, outgoing, and willing to do really anything.
She even showed up early one day to drag me out of bed, and we then proceeded to rip up the nasty carpet that had been in the house for as long as I could remember. Afterwards, we ate pizza on the floor, admiring our hard work, before racing into the ocean to cool ourselves off.
“Earth to Nicky boy.” Leo snapped his fingers twice, pulling me out of my thoughts about Ally. “Ah, I know that look all too well. Just be careful, son. Ally seems like a wonderful girl, but getting involved with someone that works for you could lead to a sticky situation if things go south. Tread lightly,” he added with a wink, before patting my back and greeting a guest that had just arrived.
“See ya, Leo,” I called over my shoulder, pulling out my ringing phone as I stepped into the parking garage, and answering it when I didn’t recognize the number.
“Nick, we need to talk.”
Ally
“Alright, two more nights till I get a much-needed three days off. Hopefully I can make it.” Remy dropped down next to me on the couch, twisting her red hair up into a tight bun.
I had no clue how she worked third shift; I knew I couldn’t do it. She always seemed exhausted, but at the same time, the way she talked about her job as a nurse, I could tell how much she loved it. Hopefully I would be able to find something like that someday.
I loved working the front desk at the resort, but I knew that wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It could definitely be enough for right now, though. And it certainly didn’t hurt that I got to see Nick every day. I think that had a lot to do with why I liked it so much. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the view of his sexy self while working?
“I have faith, you got this, girl. Why don’t we plan a night out so you have something to look forward to? Drinks are on me.”
That perked her up a little and she jumped to her feet, twirling her keys around on one finger. “That sounds pretty awesome, Al. You want a ride anywhere on my way into work?” She wiggled her eyebrows at me, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
Remy was all for me having a relationship with Nick, and not a strictly friends one. She was convinced we were a match made in heaven. That we were most likely soul mates and Teddy had just been a bump in the road.
When she first brought it up, I told her where she could shove her whole “soul mate” idea, but then she had to go and remind me about Chase and Leah. The minute I met Chase, I told him that he was Leah’s soul mate. I knew it, I believed it, and it came true, just like it was supposed to.
Whatever Nick and I had right now, I was happy with it.
“We-ll, Nick did want me to come over, but I told him I was staying in tonight. I think I’ll catch up on some sleep or something. I don’t want to get on his nerves by always being around. I mean, we do work together, eventually he’s probably going to get sick of me.” Just like Teddy.
“Oh, please.” Remy grabbed my hand and yanked me off the couch, bending down to throw a pair of flip-flops at me. “He invited you. That means he wants to spend time with you. It’s not like you invited yourself over or anything. And who wouldn’t want to spend time with you?
“Just because Teddy was a jackass and only liked to be with you when it was convenient, does not mean every other guy is like that. What he did to you is because of his own messed up problems, not because of anything you did wrong. Nick is one of the good guys. I know it, and if I’m wrong, I’ll take one hundred percent responsibility. I’ll be your own personal punching bag or something if things end badly.”
“Thanks, Rem, it really means a lot to hear someone else say that. What would I do without you and your pep talks?” I gave her a tight squeeze, and straightened the t-shirt I was wearing over a pair of yoga shorts. I was totally rocking the grunge look but it was gonna have to do. “Let’s hit it, I don’t want to make you late.”
I asked Remy to drop me off at the corner store that was within walking distance of Nick’s place so I could pick up a few things, since he never had much in his fridge. I’m sure it had to do with the fact that he was starting to work more, and he was a guy.
The time that we didn’t spend together, he always ended up at his parents’ house or with Danny and the boys. Nick was set on me meeting his parents, but I had declined the offer several times to have dinner with them. It would totally be awkward, I could see it now. “Hi, this is Ally, my friend and maybe someday more.”