Page 44 of Apparently, I’m A B!tch

Chapter25

Tristan

Friday afternoon

“On edge”was how Lilly described me. I watched the door, looking up every time I heard the tinkle of chimes, waiting for Nikki.

It was like being thrown back in time, back to lunch-rush on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I knew where she was, and she said she would be here. That should’ve been good enough. But hours later, what I almost did to Jake had finally settled into me, resulting in a twist in my gut that made me believe Nikki would go back to hating me after she found out that I threatened her paralegal.

It was bad enough that I still had to keep my commitment to Rochelle. I couldn’t deny Carlos’s reasoning. To add my almost-assault on one of Nikki’s co-workers to the list was already too much to bear. Wasn’t one obstacle enough? Did I really need to add more?

“Why don’t you call her?” Lilly whispered, sensing the angst radiating from me.

I shrugged. “I don’t want to disturb her, she’s probably busy.”

Having morphed back to the kind and caring little sister role that I valued most, Lilly nodded and left my side.

Lunch-rush came and went, and customers were milling out of my shop. One or two stopped by the counter to ask about my paintings, and I answered with as much care as I could muster in those moments.

It wasn’t until the door opened and closed, and Nikki walked toward the counter with wide eyes and a faraway look to her, that the depths of my stomach rocketed up to my throat. I rounded the counter, took her by the elbow and led her to the side. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and bring those lips to mine again, but I stepped back and offered her a seat.

She didn’t take it, choosing to look up at me instead, something in her gaze hesitant. She bit her lower lip and took a breath, and I could’ve counted every second until she spoke, each moment like a pinprick to my hammering heart.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“Um… I don’t know where to start.”

My breathing came harder and faster, like I couldn’t get enough of it into my lungs. She looked incredible, which didn’t help. Her navy-blue dress skimmed her lithe curves, hugging her in the exact way I wanted to. If she ended this now, before we had a chance to do more than kiss… I was sure my body would give out.

“Give me a chance, please,” I whispered. Her lips closed and she searched my face, waiting. “I know it was crazy yesterday, to show up at your office like that, and I’m sorry about Jake. I lost control when he started saying…” I let out a breath and took a step closer to her. “You know I’m not usually like that. I’d never threaten someone. But he got the better of me… I mean, my anger got the better of me. I’m sorry. But I missed you, Nikki, and I think we’re ready for this now. I want a chance to see where this could go, if you’ll give it to me.”

She flushed and broke into the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen; all the warmth of the summer day couldn’t compare. Her heat flooded through me, and I found myself returning it with a grin of my own.

There was a playfulness in her voice, a sound I wanted to bottle, as she said, “Are you sure you want to do that, Tristy? You know what I’m like by now.”

I took it as permission and reached out, taking hold of her hips, pulling her to me as she let out a breath of surprise. I slid my hands along her, running one through her hair as the other tightened across her waist. Tilting her chin toward me, I lowered my lips to hers, taking her bottom lip, that generous curve, between my own and sucking on it gently, nipping it before pressing her closer, letting her feel the effect she had on me through my apron.

Her gasp was the most delicious sound I’d ever heard, her mouth the most appetizing thing I’d ever tasted. She had her hands on my chest, then moved one down to my hip. When she pushed aside my apron to hook a finger through my belt-loop, pulling me closer, I groaned against her mouth and fought the urge to grind against her.

The grumbles and stares of my customers weren’t enough to penetrate the thick haze of lust that settled around me, but they were enough for Nikki. I was pretty sure Lilly’s giggle had been the thing to drag her back to reality, but as she put her hand on my chest and gently pushed away from me, I held onto her a moment longer before letting go.

Her hands flew to her lips as she stepped back, beautiful hazel eyes wide and full of light. “Maybe we shouldn’t be… you know, doing this in the shop?” She put her face into her palms and shook her head as I laughed.

Taking one of her hands in mine, I lowered my face to hers. “I want as much as you’re willing to give me, Nikki. Whatever you’re comfortable with, so am I. In or out of the shop, I don’t care.”

Her cheeks were glowing. “Really?”

I nodded. “Let me take you out. The shirt you bought me is missing a stain.”

She laughed, lifting her chin and letting out the kind of sound that made my whole body feel lighter than air. “How about tomorrow night?”

And instantly, I came crashing back down. “Tomorrow? Uh, I can’t. How about after our class on Sunday?”

She nodded sweetly, not taking her eyes from me.

Maybe… maybe she didn’t have to know about Rochelle yet. Maybe we could spend some time away from all of this and figure out what we meant to one another now, and I’d find the time to explain this mess with Rochelle. Nikki would understand. More than just being my friend, she was a lawyer. She saw this type of stuff all the time. She’d see my side and she’d stick with me through it. I had to try. If I didn’t… if this ended… I didn’t want to think of how miserable I would be if this ended now.