Page 446 of The Doctors Will See You Now

I’d never felt that way about anyone. Not even Remy, after I’d backed out of the wedding.

But looking back on things from my present position—waiting for Nick, my fiancé, and his daughter Lexi to meet me at Cornerstone Tavern for Wednesday night trivia—it all made sense.

The heart wants what the heart wants, and my heart wanted Nick.

Hell, that little bitch had pretty much made my life a fucking mess after the breakup. But lucky for me, and thanks to Nick for taking that giant leap of faith and getting down on one knee in the middle of La Porro, my heart was happy. She’d get to keep the man of her dreams forever.

Yeah, life was definitely strange, but in this case, the weirdness was the best thing ever.

“Can I get you started with anything?” a female waitress with wild, curly red hair asked as she set down a bar menu and a fresh glass of water.

“There will be two more coming,” I updated. “And I’ll just have an iced tea while I wait for them. Thanks.”

“Here for the trivia?” she asked with a wink, and I nodded.

“Hell yeah.”

“May the odds ever be in your favor,” she teased with a grin, and I laughed. “I’ll be back in a few. My name is Patty, by the way. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything.” She set a few more menus on the table before moving to the table beside mine.

A quick glance at the time on my phone, and I knew they’d be here any minute.

I fidgeted my fingers up and down my water glass, swiping off the condensation just to have something to do. Nerves fluttered up from my stomach and urged slight tremors to settle into my hands.

It was a big day—the very first time that I’d get to meet Lexi.

Normally, Nick only got time with her every other weekend, but Winnie had kindly made an exception to the rule and allowed an extra night this week so the center of Nick’s world and I could meet one another.

I was equal parts excited and terrified.

Meeting your significant other’s kid was no backwoods show at a resort in the Poconos. It was main stage, Broadway, New York fucking City, and if I couldn’t sing the songs and dance the choreography, little Lexi would be sending me for the fucking hills. And I’d be alone. Again.

She was special, I knew from the way Nick talked about her, from the insights he gave me into her life, and if she didn’t like me, I wasn’t worth liking.

Plus, she was Nick and Winnie’s kid. Nick was my present and future, and I loved him more than I’d ever loved someone. And Winnie, well, she had been an important part of my past. One of my closest friends, practically like a sister to me.

I had no doubts they’d made an equally amazing little human being.

But, she didn’t know me from Adam, and the stakes were discernibly high. I desperately wanted to make a good impression.

I wanted her to like me. I just wanted it all to go smoothly. And I wanted not to vomit in my freshly washed hair.

First impressions were everything, and I wasn’t quite sure how to make a good first impression on a nine-year-old girl who was smarter than most adults—though, I was fairly certain vomit hair wouldn’t help.

Entrance door in sight, I watched as Nick stepped inside, one toned arm back to keep a hold on his daughter as she followed. I forced myself to take a huge, calming breath as I lifted my hand and waved to grab his attention.

He smiled softly and offered a little nod as he led his daughter, her little hand encased in his big hand, through the crowd and toward me. As they reached the table, I stood, and Lexi’s big blue eyes looked at me curiously for a brief moment, before she reached out her little hand. “I’m Lexi Winslow,” she greeted. “You’re Charlotte Hollis. You work for CMI as a headhunter, and you’re going to be my dad’s wife soon.”

“That I am.” I smiled at her ability to get straight to the point—and forced myself not to bumble my own—and shook her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Hey,” Nick whispered into my ear and softly kissed my cheek. He ushered Lexi into one of the barstools, and we both sat down on either side of her.

She glanced around the room before quirking a brow in my direction. “Are you good at trivia?”

“Well…” I shrugged. “I’m not too bad.”

“She’s better than me,” Nick added with a grin.

“We have about twenty minutes before it starts,” I announced and pointed toward the menus. “So, first we need to choose a team name, and then we should probably get our food ordered.”