Only One Touch (Only One #4) - Natasha Madison Page 0,52

my building when the car gets here, and I get in.

I go on Instagram and see that Nico added a picture of the game last night. I try not to think about him getting in and not calling me. I don’t have time because we pull up to the restaurant.

I walk in and see Manning sitting down at a table in the back with a woman beside him. He smiles when he sees me. “There she is.”

“Here I am,” I say when he gets up and comes to me, kissing me on the cheek.

“Becca,” Manning says, looking over at the beautiful woman who has red hair and green eyes. “This is Evelyn.”

My mouth opens as I finally meet the woman who gave life to this man again. “It’s so great to finally meet you,” Evelyn says. Getting up, she comes to me and gives me a hug. I get it now, why he feels for her. “I’ve heard all about the infamous Becca.”

“Well, I don’t know what he said,” I say to her, smiling, “but if it’s good, it’s all true.” She laughs and goes back to sit down in her seat. Manning sits next to her.

I sit in front of them. “I’m almost afraid to ask what this meeting is about.” I put my hands on the table as the waiter comes over, and we order drinks. I turn back to them, a little nervous. “So tell me.”

“I,” Manning starts. “Actually, we wanted to take you out to thank you for everything that you did for us.” I look at him as he puts his arms around Evelyn, and she looks up at him with hearts in her eyes. He kisses her lips. “I don’t know how it would have gone down without your help.”

“Well,” I say, “after seeing the two of you together finally, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it was worth it.”

“Sorry I’m late.” I hear from beside me and look up, shocked to see Nico. He’s wearing jeans and a sweater.

“No worries,” Manning says, and I can only watch him.

It happens almost in slow motion. His head comes down, and he stops right before my lips. “Hey,” he says right before he kisses my lips in front of everyone.

Chapter 22

Nico

“Hey,” I say right before kissing her lips. I hear a gasp coming from the other side of the table, and I know that there will be questions. I pull out the chair beside her and sit down, propping my arm around her shoulders.

I look over at her, and she, too, is in shock. I wish I could tell you that I had a plan, but I can’t. When Manning told me he was going to take Becca out for dinner, I casually invited myself. He didn’t think anything of it, and I can tell from everyone’s face at the table that they have questions.

“Well.” Manning is the first to speak. “This is.” He puts up his hands and tries to find the words. Evelyn looks at him and then at Becca.

“This is great that you can join us,” Evelyn says. “We owe you guys so much for all of your support, and I wish that we could explain to you guys exactly what it means to us.” She looks over at Manning.

“Thanks for the invite,” I say and rub her shoulder with my thumb. I missed her. It’s fucking nuts, but I fucking missed her. I caved last night and texted her without trying to sound like a lovesick puppy. I was shocked she answered right away, my finger pressed the FaceTime before I thought out the game plan. Then her face filled the screen, and all the thoughts and plans were out the window. “Have you guys ordered yet?”

“No,” Manning says, his eyes looking at me, asking me all the questions. I can feel Becca get stiff beside me. “I don’t mean to be nosy. But when?”

“I guess it started at Candace’s party and it’s been slowly gaining speed,” I say and look over at Becca, and her face tells me that she is not okay with any of this. But she puts on her poker face, and I can tell when she does it. A shield comes down. If you know her eyes, you can tell.

“Enough about us,” she says, plastering a smile on her face. “How is everything going with you guys?”

Evelyn doesn’t notice her change, but Manning does, and I know that he’s going to let me