to me at the coffee shop comes to mind. She dated him and passed out at one of his parties. She couldn’t remember anything but she woke up sore and tried to call him for weeks but he wasn’t answering.
I try to conceal my emotions and luckily it works because I don’t want Nolan to see me get all panicky. “We’ll talk about it later, okay?”
I don’t leave him time to respond because I’m out of my bedroom and hurrying for the balcony. I take a deep breath and brush it off. It’s my birthday and right now I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to assume that Tyler may actually be harmful after he’s been such a gentleman towards me.
I call my parents and luckily they’re both together because it spares me the need to make two phone calls. It’s been a week since I’ve talked to my parents but that’s only because they’ve been extremely busy. Dad is booked for the next month and has been working under the hood and beneath cars constantly and Mom always volunteers to work overtime at the hospital, as always. She tells me she’s been shopping a lot more so that’s a good sign. She’s finally starting to open up to her creative side.
“Nat, you gotta let me see the new hair-do,” my dad says.
I laugh. Ever since I’ve brought it up, he’s been asking me to snap a picture. “I’ll take a picture and send it later, Dad. Harper and I are going out so when I’m dressed and nice-looking I can send you one.”
“You’re always nice-looking to me, Nat,” he says.
“Yeah, I agree!” my mom interrupts. “But I do want to see. I’ve always wondered what jet-black would look like on you. I bet it’s hot.”
“It’s awesome, Mom. I love it.” Nolan comes into view, bringing me back to where I really am. Back to reality and a ton of confusion. When I talk to my parents, I always get excited. I’m always pulled away from the world because lately they’ve been making me smile like an idiot. I miss them and it’s a good thing I’m going to see them for Christmas. “Guys, I have to go. It was nice talking to you and thanks for the birthday wishes. I love you so much.”
“We love you, too, Nat,” my dad says. “And don’t forget my pic. I’ve got to see this.”
“I won’t,” I giggle.
“Love you, Natty!” my mom calls.
They hang up and I sigh, turning around to look at Nolan. He’s already smiling at me, his head tilted and his eyes curious. “Seems like things are a lot better between your parents,” he says.
“Things are much better,” I sigh. “I’m glad they’re happy again.”
“Yeah. Now it’s our turn to be.”
I pull my lips in and bite on them, forcing myself to keep my eyes on him. “Are you coming out for dinner tonight?” I ask quickly, hoping it will overcome how turned on I am.
“Yep. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. You’ll just have to text me and let me know where we’ll be eating at.” He takes a few steps forward to get to me and as his solid, bare chest brushes against mine, I inhale sharply. “You were probably thinking about what happened between me and Sharon in California when you walked away from me last night, weren’t you?”
“How’d you know?” I ask sarcastically.
“I know you. You never let shit go.”
“Not true,” I say, scowling at him.
“Very true, Bunny.”
“It’s only if that person means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me. I just need to know you won’t do it again. Promise me.”
“I promise I’ll never do it again, Natalie. I told you I want to change. I fucked up—I know—but I swear on both of my parents’ graves that I will never hurt you like that again. I’m putting it on my parents, Natalie. That’s saying a lot.”
I look into his soft grey eyes and a smile touches his lips. I know it means a lot. When it comes down to his parents it means he’s taking the situation seriously. He lifts my knuckles to his lips and kisses them. His lips are warm and his breath tickles my skin as he stares into my eyes. He then leans forward to press those lips against my cheek. I ignite on the inside and without even realizing it, I’ve moved in closer.
Chuckling, he brings his head down, his lips colliding with