“Okay, just text me and let me know when.”
I leave kinda pissed, pissed that Amanda didn’t tell me that she was dating anyone. Not that it’s any of my business, but I tell her everything, and besides I’ve seen her get hurt time and time again. When it happens, it kills me. I don’t want that for her. I want her to be happy like I am. I guess I should have known something was up when she’s become distant lately. It wasn’t just my relationship with Elania that’s put a gap between us. It’s her seeing someone new.
Pulling into Elania’s driveway, I can’t wait to just relax tonight. Getting out of the car, I take a deep breath of air into my lungs and walk inside. The music is loud and El is in the kitchen trying to open a bottle of wine. She doesn’t see me and I just watch her for a few moments. Her hair is up in a messy mound on top of her head. She’s wearing a tight pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I can’t let her struggle anymore. Quietly, I set my stuff down and walk to her. Wrapping my hands over hers. She jumps out of her skin and I laugh lightly at her.
“Dammit, Nate, you’re early.”
“Am I now?” I ask kissing her lips. “I must have lost track of time after you sucked me off today.”
She giggles and hands me the wine. “I can’t find my other opener.”
I open it and say, “I got it. I must not be that early, unless you’re drinking without me.”
“After the day I’ve had I could use a glass.”
“What happened?” I ask, concerned that she had a bad day.
“Veronica called today, asking when I was coming back and I told her I wasn’t. So she wants me to clean out my office by the end of the week so they can get someone else in there.”
“Isn’t that a bit fast?”
“I guess, but she needs to fill the space.”
Tears fill her eyes and I grab her face, holding her cheeks in the palms of my hands. “Don’t cry, baby, I’ll take care of it.”
“How?” she snaps.
“I’ll have movers go in and pack up your stuff.”
“No, Nate, I can handle it.”
“But I want to. Let me do this for you. Then you can let that place and everything that goes along with it go. You’re doing great on your own and you won’t be working from home for long, we’ll get you an office.”
She gives me a little nod. “Well, I do have some good news. I just got off the phone with the seller for Mechanical 2 and we have a deal.”
“No shit,” I blurt out, grabbing her and basically lifting her in the air.
She hugs me and I can’t wait for this, for both of us. It’s going to be great to be working next to each other every day.
“So, he agreed to everything?” I ask.
“Everything,” she repeats.
“I have to call Nash.”
He’s gonna be so stoked. We have come so far in this business. When we opened Mechanical, we just dreamed that it would stay afloat. Now to be making good cash flow and on the path for our second spot is unreal.
Looking in the mirror, I am a nervous wreck. Today, I’m going to meet most of Nate’s family. It’s his mom’s birthday weekend and I don’t want to let him down, but at the same time, I am really worried to meet everyone.
“Damn, you are hot,” he says drying himself off from the shower.
I glance at his sculpted body and just shake my head. “What?” he asks, putting on his prosthetic.
“You’re the one to talk about being sexy. Have you seen yourself lately?”
He stands up and flexes his chest muscles at me. “I do look good, huh?”
I laugh and head into my closet, calling out “And you’re so humble.”
He laughs. “So you’re driving with me, right?” he asks.
I place my hand on the wall and balance as I put on one of my heels.
“El?”
“I don’t want to intrude, Nate. I told you that.”
“You’re not intruding. My mom loves you.”
“But she thinks she’s going to an appointment, won’t it be weird if I am there?” I ask coming back into my room. He’s buttoning the last button on his white linen shirt and I almost die. Swallowing hard, I keep my focus on the conversation at hand.
“Absolutely not. I asked her. Plus, she’s doing way better than she was when you last saw her. That’s the only reason that I get to drive her.”
“Okay,” I agree as he pulls my body close to his.
“It’ll be great. For Christ sakes, she’ll be happy to have you to distract her, she thinks she’s going to the hospital for more tests. Imagine how excited she’s going to be when I take her home.”
“Okay, let’s get going then,” I tell him.
“Absolutely, sexy, but do you have a pen first?”
I look at him strangely. What in the world does he need a pen for? I hand one to him and he pulls a card out of his bag and signs it. “Here, will you sign it too?”
“Nate…” I complain, feeling bad.