Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 55

Niall's POV

Opening the door, I saw Andy standing there, a bottle of wine in his hands.  "Hey, Niall.  Little party gift," he said, handing me the bottle.

"Hey, Andy, come on in.  Thanks," I said, raising the bottle.  "Ophelia's in the kitchen. Tomi and Matt are outside with everyone else."

"Thanks, again, for inviting me.  I know it means a lot to Ophelia for her friends to get to know you." I looked at Andy.  Maybe he wasn't that bad, after all.  

The only reason I had invited both him and Matt is because Mully saw me texting her last Sunday and wanted to know why I didn't want to feed Andy.  When I told him why, he guessed it had more to do with not liking the guy based off one lousy, overly flirty first impression.  Which...was true.

He also told me I needed to be more considerate towards her friends.  And, of course, he was right.  But, I also figured it would allow me to watch them.  I always felt like both Matt and Andy flirted with her a bit too much.  It's why I just showed up to her apartment the other night without texting her I was on my way.  I wanted to see how things looked when I arrived, which it looked as if they had been working with the amount of papers and books spread out across her living room floor when I did get there.  I only felt slightly bad about that but knew I should've felt worse for continuing to doubt her.

I led Andy into the kitchen where Ophelia was finishing her drink.  When we turned the corner it looked like she was placing a shot glass down.  She really was nervous. Her face lit up and relaxed when she saw Andy, though. "Hey Andy!"

"Hey, Ophelia," he said, greeting her with a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Here, babe, made you one, too.  Andy you want one or something else?"

"Sure, I'll take one.  Why are you making drinks at his party?" Andy asked.  I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.  She laughed a little, which made me think he was just playing around.  Hope so.  I didn't make her do anything.

"You know me, have to make my own.  Thought I'd make him one too.  Although, I don't know if you want it, Niall."

"You know I'm not gonna turn down one of your creations," I said. 

"Okay.  Cause I could totally chug them both.  Probably need them both to chuck these nerves out of the way."  She let out a nervous laugh. 

"They'll like you, Ophelia," Andy said.

'Why was he the one comforting her?  Because you're not, dodo,' I said to myself, watching them together.  He wasn't touching her, in fact, he was on the other side of the island, watching as she finished his drink. 

I walked up to them and placed the bottle of wine he had brought on the island table.  "I think we'll crack this open when the food is ready.  Sound good?"

Andy nodded at me.  "Sounds like a plan.  I think I'll head outside and introduce myself."

"Now, what kind of host do you take me for, Andy?  I'll introduce you," I said, "Just give me a second."  I turned to Ophelia and pulled her in, kissing her temple before whispering into her ear, "They're going to love you."  She nodded her head against me. 

I picked up one of the drinks she made and she picked up the other, taking a long sip of it.  Wrapping an arm around my waist, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and we followed Andy out into the backyard where I introduced everyone to him. 

Deo had reappeared.  He was the one I had wanted to meet her the most.  He knew, to a different level, everything that had happened right after Maggie and I broke up and everything that had been said between him, me, and Mark.  I wanted his opinion more than anyone else's.

I introduced them to each other.  I felt Ophelia squeeze my waist a bit tighter as we stood there and talked to him and Willie.  She wasn't saying much but I had warned everyone that it might take her a bit to open up.  Everyone seemed to be understanding of that.

Sensing she didn't want me to leave her, I let Paul finish up the grilling and within no time, everything was ready.  Before we sat down, she dragged me back inside to make herself another drink.  She did not want me out of her sight or her grip, which I was perfectly okay with.  It felt good to be needed.

"Can I have another, too, please?" As I watched her grab everything to make her drink.

"Of course," she said, concentrating on what she was doing.  "How am I doing, really?"

"Beautifully.  They like you, babe, promise."

She continued what she was doing, "Are you sure?  I feel like I'm not talking enough, or maybe I am?  I don't know."

"Ophelia," I said.  She continued making her drink.  I placed my hand over hers and forced her to stop, "Babe, you're doing just fine.  I know this isn't your preferred way of meeting people but, I promise you, they like you."

She finally looked up at me and nodded, "I know.  Yeah, you're right.  I'm fine.  Plus, I have Tomi, Matt, and Andy. Thank you so much for inviting them. And I know Mully enough and I like Tara.  Does she like me?"

"She loves you!  Said so herself Wednesday night.  And then Thursday.  And again Friday...and Saturday.  And has been telling everyone here all day how much she likes you.  Trust me, you've got a friend in her."

A small smile appeared on her face which allowed me to relax a little.  She seemed so confident at work.  And I remember her so easily talking with me the first night we met.  It was strange seeing her act this way but, I understood.  We all have our insecurities.  I just hoped she would understand mine.

She finished making our drinks and we headed back outside.  She had grasped a hold of my hand as we reached the door and held onto it as we found a place to sit, luckily, Tomi saved her a sit next to her and everyone scooted down to let me sit next to her.  It was also a good thing I was left-handed and she right-handed, because her left hand did not let go of my right.