Hooked on love

Chapter 10

I quickly run downstairs to see Nick, he’s wearing casual jeans with a button up jumper he clearly bought it last week, he suits it.
“Hey Nick, you look good,” I give him a hug. “Hey, here I am making an effort and you’re in your pajamas, tut tut.”
“Don’t you tut at me, If I came to yours I’m pretty sure you’d be doing the exact same thing.” He hugs me back. “You have a point, not only that but I’d let you join me, but I’ll let you off, I’ve brought wine.”
“I don’t drink that crap!” Dad cuts in lifting his chin up at the bottle. “That’s why I have beer for us, Carl.”
“Ooh, you’re a good’un Nick, maybe I won’t throw you out after all.”
“Haha! Gotta keep you happy somehow.” If I don’t cut in any sooner this back and forth banter will go on forever. “Alright men, enough. Go sit down Nick, I’ll go ask mum how long tea will be.”
“Alrighty, gotta keep everyone, happy haven’t I? He grins and takes a seat.

I go to the kitchen to find mum, she’s cooking Lasagne, this time it’s Nicks favourite. “You’re in luck Nick, tonight’s main dish is Lasagne!”
“Really? Score! Thank you Pam!”
“You’re very welcome, it’ll be another 20 minutes yet!” She looks content in here, “do you need any help mum?”
“No, you go catch up with Nick, I’ll shout you when it’s ready.”
“Okay, thanks,” Dammit! Now I have to face judgement day. Nick comes to find me not long after, “20 minutes? That should give us enough time to catch up, won’t it, Ava?” I nod. “Yeah, let’s go outside, want a drink?”  Anything to prolong this conversation, “Water please.”

I make a glass of water for Nick and a glass of wine with lemonade for me, and we head outside. I’m sure I’ll need it.
“So, you have a dinner date do ya?”
“Yeah, Saturday afternoon,” I hand him his drink and sip on my own. “Who is it and where did you meet?”
“Well, funny story…It’s the guy I bumped into at the shopping centre.”
“That asshole? How did that happen?” I can see the surprise in his face.
“I met him at the club Saturday night, his friend asked to sit with us and his companion happened to be him. Cassie did her usual thing and gave him my number and he asked me out, today.” He sits taking in all the information, saying it out loud makes it seem more crazy than I thought.
“Wow, that is very weird, on the same day too? Don’t you find it strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, my first thought would have been ‘he’s stalking me’ but you think nothing of it.” What’s he getting at here?
“No, I do think it’s weird, I even said that too him. We’re not going to be on our own, it’s a double date.”
“With who?” Why am I the one getting questioned all of a sudden?
“Cassie.” I can feel myself getting irritated from his reaction, why isn’t he happy?
“Well that makes it better doesn’t it? She’s the one who gave your number to him and got you into this mess!”
“That was uncalled for! Why aren’t you happy for me? I knew this was a bad idea,” If I stay here I’ll cry, I start to walk back inside. “Wait, I am happy, I’m just worried that’s all. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, I’m sorry.” I turn to face him. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry, he’s nice. Do you want me to keep you in the loop?” I see a ghost of a smile on his face, “If you want yeah, and if it’s going bad I’ll ring up and get you out of there.”
“Okay.” We laugh, straight away all my hard feelings have disappeared.
“Tea’s ready!” I’m hungry and Nicks face lights up like a kid on Christmas day, “let’s go, I could do with more wine.”
“I agree, I’ll stick with my beer, I’m famished!”

After hours of eating, drinking and talking Nick finally leaves around 11PM, it’s the usual time he crawls home. “Text me on Saturday, no excuses!” He points at me as he’s walking to his taxi, he’s had too many to drive home. “Yes boss! Let me know when you’re home.”
“I will, bye. Thank your mum for the left overs again.”
“Okay, bye!” I shut the door and run up to bed, exhaustion takes over.
Once I’m in bed I check my phone, 2 messages. Oops, I’ve got to stop doing that!

“What curse word did you use? I laughed at that, I knew you’d be hiding your face. Yeah, I remember him, I hope he well (see I’m being nice.)
Also, I’ll be driving so give me you address.”

Oh, he drives. I wonder what he drives. I click to the next message.

“He hasn’t kidnapped you has he? Does he know about our date?”

I check my watch, it shouldn’t be too late to reply.

“Sorry, I’m normally not this bad at texting! He’s just left. He knows now, he’s just worried about me as usual. I think the beer helped butter him up haha! I’d tell you which word I used but it will ruin my lady-like appearance.. I’m going to bed now, sorry if it’s too late to reply. Good night, A x”

I climb into bed and set my alarm earlier than usual as I didn’t have a shower tonight. My phone vibrates,

“Not normally? I’m shocked at your punctuation and timing, and now you’re leaving me again to go to bed, I’m somewhat hurt. I’m sure your ‘lady-like’ appearance vanished the second you burst out laughing at my fart escaping, you don’t fool me.
He can relax, I’ll take care of you J it’s never too late to text me.
Good night x”

A warm feeling fills my body, I’m getting excited now. I put my phone on charge and try to sleep so Saturday comes faster.