Page 3 of One Kind Soul

“Annoying?”

“In a charming way.”

“Sure.” Nicole blew out a breath. “Whatever. At least I’ll be seeing you in like eight hours.” Damn. That was too far away.

“I will have the wine opened and the chocolate ready,” Tessa said.

“I’m counting on it.”

“Okay, see you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Nicole ended the call and sat for a moment, watching people walk by. It was just before noon, but it didn’t feel like midday to her. She’d traveled for twelve hours, but with the time change, she was all messed up. Next she’d be stuck in a car—with a man she didn’t know—for another four hours or so. Her internal clock would be screwed up for days.

As long as I’m back on track by Tessa’s wedding.

Because she would not fuck that up for her bestie. No way. Nicole planned to be the best maid of honor any bride ever had. She’d regretted not being there for Tessa from the moment the engagement began. She’d been in contact with Aliza, Donovan’s sister-in-law and Tessa’s good friend—but not best friend—to plan a bachelorette party. Being in Hawaii had limited what Nicole was able to physically organize, but Aliza had jumped right in to make things happen. She and Aliza would be great friends once they met in person.

But would Christian be a friend once they met in person? Nicole wasn’t sure about that one. He was not on her good side with the Nicki business.

Her sister had called her Nicki.

She hated her sister.

Not wanting to think about any of that and make a crappy day crappier, Nicole gathered her purse and rolling carry-on suitcase and headed for the exit. She needed out of this airport and a way to kill a few hours while she waited for her ride.

Outside the airport, after a little wandering, Nicole found an Irish pub adjacent to a nearby hotel. Thanks to Christian, she didn’t need the hotel, but the pub looked as if it would be the perfect place to blow a few hours while she waited for The Flirt to show up. She chuckled to herself at calling him The Flirt and wondered if that would bug him as much as Nicki bothered her.

Inside the pub, she spotted a quiet corner booth and motioned to a waitress that she was headed over there.

The waitress nodded as she carried a tray of beers to a circular table of middle-aged dudes. “I’ll be over in a few minutes, honey.”

Fine with Nicole. She wasn’t in a rush. Well, she had been in a rush, but the universe had other plans. Knowing she’d be in Vermont with Tessa tonight, however, made what the universe had done easier to swallow.

Picking up a drink menu, Nicole looked for something else to swallow. When the waitress came over, she ordered a whiskey, remembering it to be a favorite of Donovan’s when he’d been in Hawaii and had basically spent his vacation at the beach cottage. Nicole had taken to calling him Third as in a third roommate, but she hadn’t minded him staying with them. He was the reason she couldn’t be mad at her best friend for abandoning her in Hawaii. If she’d met a man like Donovan Henley, she would have packed her things and high-tailed it to Vermont too.

But by Nicole’s research, the world wasn’t bursting at the seams with Donovan Henleys. Her last few male encounters had been nothing but disappointments. Tessa had found a needle in a haystack. All Nicole had found in the haystack was horse shit.

She sipped her whiskey and sighed, the sound making her feel pathetic. How was she supposed to feel though? She was literally drinking alone in an Irish pub and lamenting her lack of a soul mate.

Snap out of it. She couldn’t be down like this. She had to be upbeat and believe in love for Tessa’s sake.

Nicole pulled out her phone and texted Tessa. I’m in an Irish pub across from airport. She picked up the napkin that had been under her glass to see the name of the pub. She hadn’t noticed on her way inside. McCormick’s. Tell Christian he can find me here.

A moment later she received an okay back and then a phone number. Christian’s number if you need it.

She stared at the number, a nervous energy fluttering in her belly over driving with a stranger for hours. Technically, Christian wasn’t a stranger. Tessa knew and liked him and he was related to Donovan. Two factors that should work in Christian’s favor. He came highly recommended by having these connections to two people Nicole enjoyed.

Besides, Christian wouldn’t actually flirt with her. He probably liked a certain type of chick—the gorgeous kind.

Shrugging, she took another drink of her whiskey. She didn’t have a choice really. She needed a ride to Vermont. Christian was that ride. End of story.

Nicole shoved her phone into the pocket of her jacket, but it wouldn’t go in all the way. Something was already in her pocket. Setting her phone on the table, she jammed her hand into the pocket. Her fingers closed around something and she rolled her eyes.

Lip balm.

Uncapping it, she rubbed some on her lips and hummed. Relief. Finally. Things were looking up.

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