The Recipe of Us.

10 | nolan

< "Until we meet again..." >

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The familiar, but comforting scent of booze and sweat laced in wood clouded my senses and I blew out a shaky breath.

The repetitive dance beat drummed against the speakers at the stage where the Dj was and the crowd of people danced along to the music. I slowly made my way over to the bar and sat down comfortably in a seat.

I didn't move to find him because I knew he'd find me. Somehow I can always sense him and I'd like to think that he can feel me when I'm near too.

A connection like ours is pretty hard to pass up. Some nights I regret letting it go, but I'd never change Gio for the world.

Even after he hurt me.

I looked down at the nude satin dress I put on. It wasn't too short but it was tighter around the hips and chest and splayed out onto my thighs.

"Riley."

My head snapped up as my hair fell slightly past my shoulders and I stared up at him.

I scanned his features as the memories of him came flooding back. His chiselled jaw, that now sported a beard, his rugged hair and his slightly bulging muscles peeking through his black fitted t-shirt with the bar's logo painted across the front.

The feeling of excitement and danger creeped in as we stared at each other, locked in a trance.

"Hi, Nolan"

༺♡༻

"So do you like him or what?" Avalon asked as she blew another bubble and I scoffed. "What the hell do you mean? I have Gio." I reminded her as I sat on top of the truck.

There was a crash involving a moving truck and I was left with the long task to fix it. The summer sun shone down on me as people strolled by and stared comically at the girl sitting on top of a truck and her friend yelling from the inside.

"But you're interested in Nolan."

"I am not interested in another boy. I have a boyfriend." I corrected her as I painted over the scratches. "He hasn't even asked you to be his boyfriend. I don't think we should jump to conclusions."

I sighed heavily as I placed the brush back in the paint pot and swung my legs over the edge of the roof. I looked down at Avalon watching me from the drivers seat. "What are you talking about Ava?"

She sighed heavily as she looked around nervously. "I saw him with another girl, Ri. She was like one of those annoying bitchy blondes."

"You mean like you?" I shot back and looked down in time to see her roll her eyes. I had to pretend like her words didn't stab me inside and rip my heart out of my chest.

"I'm serious. It looked really bad. I think you should be careful."

I didn't respond for a while and she looked up at me expecting me to say something. I turned around and focused back on painting.

༺♡༻

"It's been a while. Could I get you a drink?"

I snapped back into reality and looked at Nolan, who gave me a concerning look. I probably looked like a crazy person.

"I'm not getting drunk tonight. I'm going home and I don't wanna be drunk." I stuttered nervously. "Isn't Avalon with you? I saw her-"

"I-I know you did. I thought I should come and visit before you did." I answered quickly as I cut him and he smiled sheepishly. "You knew I'd come and visit?"

I nodded my head with a smile. I missed this, the easygoing friendship.

"I'm coming off my shift soon, do you wanna wait?" He asked and I nodded and he smiled before pushing himself off the bar and heading into the back. I looked around as I blew a breath and another bartender approached me, a female one.

She gave me a sly look and I didn't know how to respond. "You're pretty," She said as her eyes gave me a once over and I couldn't help but smile, teeth and all.

"Thank you-"

"You his girlfriend?" She asked and I opened and closed my mouth in shock.

"Oh no, w-we're just old friends," I responded and she obviously didn't believe me.

She smiled as she cleaned a beer glass. "He likes you. Nolan doesn't really like anyone," She commented and I tried to act oblivious.

Believe me, I know...

He reappeared in a sweater and joggers with his glasses on and made his way around the bar. His arm appeared around my waist as he guided me off the bar stool and I let him guide me.

"Bye Maggie!" He waved at the girl I was talking to and she waved goodbye before winking at me. I smiled as his hand fit comfortably into mine and he guided me past the dancers and out of the bar.

It was a warm summer evening so I didn't feel cold as we casually walked down the street. He guided me to his car and opened the door for me and I sat inside. I nervously fidgeted as he climbed in the drivers seat and looked at me curiously.

"You look good- great, actually."

"T-Thanks"

"Are you okay, Riley?" He asked me and I rested my head back as I steadied my breathing.

"Can I be honest with you for a second?" I asked quietly and he waited for my answer.

"I don't know what I'm doing here."

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