After a few seconds of panting and clenching my fists, my hands loosen and I snatch the collar of my shirt away from Mills. “You only have thirty minutes left,” Dino sighs, checking his watch. “How about you just take off. We’ll cover the first floor.”
I nod and then pull my keys out of my pocket but I’m still pissed. I’ve boiled over and I know the only way I’ll completely calm down is if I see Natalie. “Are you good?” Mills asks, smirking. “Remember that kid at the park that shoved you into the lake when you were thirteen? After he did it, I held him down and you whooped his ass.” He chuckles as he looks down at the pavement. “Can’t believe you still got it in you, you son of a bitch. That’s the last time I remember you getting this mad around me,” he says, aiming to lighten the mood. “Should’ve let you beat his ass.”
To my surprise, it works because I laugh a little while running a tense hand through my hair. “It’s been a while.”
“A long while,” he says as he and Dino make their way towards the museum door. “Have fun tonight, alright? Tell Natalie happy birthday for me.”
Nodding, I turn around and make my way towards the parking lot. Mills may have lifted a little of the weight from my shoulders but I meant what I said about Tyler. If I see him again, he’s fucking dead.
I have to get to Natalie.
Chapter Thirty-One
Natalie
The text message I received from Nolan caught me completely off guard earlier.
Nolan: I love you more than words can explain. We’re going to make this work.
After I received it I wanted to call but I knew he was at work. I just got a text saying he’s changed clothes and will meet us at dinner so I guess I can bring it up there.
It’s my birthday so I’ve decided to do it a little big with Harper. The restaurant we’re going to is the same restaurant with tables on the deck that face the ocean. It’s going to be a cool night so I’ve decided to wear my hair down.
I picked out a long-sleeved, horizontal-striped white and black dress with sequined black stilettos. Harper curled my hair and I love it. The black hair with the black and white is amazing. Who knew I would turn out like this? I feel so alive. So different. I’d even snapped a few goofy pictures with Harp to send them to my parents, like I had promised.
“I’m ready, Nat!” Harp calls from the living room.
“Just a minute!” I apply some lip-gloss to my lips, grab for my white clutch, and then scurry out of the room after turning the lights off. As I round the corner, Harper is standing in front of a wall mirror with the blue dress on that she’d bought from the mall earlier along with some new white stilettos.
“Decided on the blue, huh?” I ask, meeting at her side to check the mirror as well.
She puckers her lips to put some pink lip-gloss on and then turns to face me. Her blonde hair is slick and straight against her shoulders. Her makeup is beautiful—far from trashy. “The pink didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to look like I belonged,” she says, smiling. “So, you ready?”
“Yep but you’re driving,” I yell as I pull the door open.
“Oh, come on, Nat! You know I hate driving!” she yells at me. I hurry for the elevator and push the down arrow. She shuts and locks the condo door behind her before clunking her way towards me in her heels. “Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you can get everything you want.”
“What else are birthdays for?” I tease, winking at her as the elevator doors slide open.
****
Perhaps I’m dreaming. I might just be seeing things right now.
Spotting Nolan sitting alone at a two-top table completely takes me off guard. I expect Dawson to be at the table with him, but he’s not. I stop in my tracks, observing the way Nolan’s fingers are folded on top of the table and his gaze is forward. He doesn’t see me and I’m glad because I can’t help but stare.
He’s wearing a plaid lavender and white button-up shirt, khaki’s, and of course sneakers. I didn’t expect him to get too dressy. It’s not in his character. His hair is still in the purposely messy/sexy style but he’s shaved his face. He’s not as gruff