The Sweetest Feeling

Chapter Sixteen

"I think we should let my Nan know you're back" I say while we are cuddled in bed. It's Sunday morning. Nathan said he loved me last night and he knows I feel the same. "Ok, I'm cool with that, means I can stay during the week too" he says kissing my forehead. "That's exactly what I thought because I can't keep missing Friday nights with the girls. Part of me wishes you were coming with me this Friday, Toby and Louie will be there so I will be the odd one out but I like that it's just me and you for now" I say. "Where are you going?"
"Dirty Martini" I say.

We get up and have breakfast before tidying up and showering together- what? it saves water- late afternoon I hear Nan's key in the door, Nathan is sitting at the table reading the paper and I am cooking dinner. I like to have it nearly ready for when she gets home. "Hi Nan, we have a visitor" I say kissing her and taking her bag. She pokes her head around the door and pushes me out of the way, screaming at the sight of him. "Nathan, my boy it's so good to see you. How have you been?" She asks giving him a warm embrace. "I'm good thanks Mary, you look fantastic" he says. They spend all afternoon catching up and tucking into my roast dinner- which is beautiful I must say - Nathan and I wash up together. "Do you think she suspects there is something going on between us?"
"I'm not sure, she probably will soon enough"

Nan has a little moment with Nathan when he is leaving; I'm on the stairs and can hear what they are saying. "Thank you again for saving my little girl, you're my guardian angel. Make sure you tell her how you feel this time, don't let her get away and don't let her shut you out. You're the best thing for my Emily" she says. "Thanks Mary and don't worry I'm not losing her again, once was hard enough" I quickly come downstairs acting oblivious, my Nan goes back in the living room, I see him to the door, kissing him goodbye. Me and Nan have a chilled evening watching 'Only fools and horses' repeats, laughing and talking late into the night. When we go up to bed she turns to me. "I am so glad you and Nathan are friends again, it's lovely to see you happy and smiling again sweetheart. I love you" she says hugging me. "You too, Nan"

Nathan came to stay Tuesday and Wednesday night, it was nice not having to wait till the weekend to see him, especially as I won't see him tonight. I'm going to meet the girls. I'm actually looking forward to it, feels like ages since I last saw them. I am trying to decide what to wear, I've already curled my hair- it takes ages because my hair is so long and thick- as soon as I am dressed I can leave. I want to look sexy tonight; you find that when you're with someone who loves you, it gives you a confidence and desire to look good. I spot my black short sleeved swing dress that I haven't worn in a long time. I try it on and it's perfect for how I am feeling right now. I no longer care about my scars or what people think, the only person that matters is Nathan and like he said I am not going to let them define me any longer. I throw on my red suede platform shoes and grab my red clutch, spraying some perfume I am out the door.

'Dirty Martini' is a cocktail bar. It does really fancy Martinis and cocktails, which I am not keen on at all so it's a bit wasted on me but the girls love it. I much prefer a good old fashioned pub or somewhere with live music. It's happy hour so the Martinis are half price and you get money off certain beer and wine. I get myself a bottle of Wine, while the girls enjoy all the different flavoured Martinis. "I can't get over how different you look, you're practically glowing" Ali says. "There is something you're not telling us. Oh my god! You're seeing someone" Evie says. I nearly choke on my drink, how does she do that? "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not" I tease.

The night is actually going well; I haven't felt like the odd one out once. Out the corner of my eye, I see a tall, slim man with dark hair, I know him. He turns and smiles at someone; it's Daniel, Nathan's brother. He spots me and comes over to say hello, it's so great to see him after all this time. I introduce him to the guys and then I can hear the girls start to grill him while I'm talking to Toby. "How's Nathan?" Ali asks. "He is really well; actually he is on his way here. I'm surprised I managed to get him out, he has been seeing someone recently and it's the happiest I've seen him in a long time" he says lowering his voice, he clearly doesn't want to upset me, bless him. He says his goodbyes and rejoins his group of friends. I'm glad Nathan is on his way, I want to see how this pans out. Evie interrupts my thoughts "Are you ok? Do you want to leave?"
"It's ok honestly, I was bound to see him sooner or later" I say. She doesn't look convinced I excuse myself and go outside to text him.

So how do we play this? Xxx

What do you mean? Xxx

You're brother grassed you up :) xxx

That bastard! Let's just act like we haven't seen each other in 3 years. See how long we last, keeping our hands off each other xxx

That will be hard, wait till you see me ;) xxx

I can't wait to see you Charms, this will be fun. I might have to drag you outside if you're looking that good xxx

I can't wait to see you Curly, hurry up and get here xxx

I go back inside, making my way to the toilet. When I come out, I am about to walk to our table but someone grabs my arm, pulling me to the side. I turn to see Maxwell standing there. He looks old. His outfit is immaculate as always but he has cut his hair short and he looks miserable. Quickly I realise he is totally hammered. "Emily, you look amazing. I see us breaking up has been good for you" he slurs. "How are you Maxwell?"
"How am I? Let's see, my girlfriend dumped me about two months ago and it still hurts like hell. I loved her you see, I've tried to hate her and it was going well until I bump into her looking happy and the most beautiful I have ever seen her" he says looking cut up. "Max, I'm sorry but you know we weren't right for each other" I say wishing I could leave. He takes me by surprise and drops down on one knee in front of me. "Marry me? I will give you everything you have ever dreamed of"
Wait! What? Has he lost his damn mind "Get up Max, please people are staring" I hiss at him. He doesn't budge. "Emily, what's going on?" Nathan says appearing at my side. "This is Maxwell, he has had too much to drink and he was just leaving" I say through clenched teeth. "Who's this?" Maxwell asks stumbling to his feet. "This is Nathan, my boyfriend" I say as he slips his hand in mine, squeezing gently to let me know he is with me so I don't need to worry. "You're already with someone else? Wow, you sure didn't waste any time". I can see how angry Nathan is getting, I need to get him away. "Go home Max, you're drunk" I say as we go to walk away. "Your girlfriend is a heartless bitch. Don't waste your time, she will be on to the next before you know it" he shouts after us.

What happens next, feels like it happens in slow motion. Nathan let's go of my hand, turns around and punches him in the face, Max hits the floor like a sack of potatoes, blood pouring from his nose. "Don't you ever insult my girlfriend again, she is neither heartless nor a bitch. She obviously needed the right man and that certainly wasn't you" Nathan says to him. The crowd around us cheers as the bouncers lead Maxwell out the door. A barman tells us he was causing trouble all night, falling into people; spilling their drinks and throwing himself at women. They were just glad to be rid of him. "Thanks for saving me" I say. He kisses me forcefully, where he is pumped with adrenaline. "I told you I would have to fend of admirers but, I didn't realise I would have to compete with marriage proposals too" he jokes. "There is no competition, Max is just a tool, take no notice" I say. "So it's official we are boyfriend and girlfriend?" I smile up at him. "Well I should hope so after that heroic act plus friends don't do what we did Wednesday night" I remind him. "Play your cards right and we might do that again tonight" he teases. I look at him while biting my lip. "Emily, don't do that or I will have to take you home right this second, you're looking extremely edible. You were right I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands off you" he says pulling me close.

We are about to kiss when a loud cough interrupts us. It's Evie, Ali and Daniel. The look on their faces is priceless. "Daniel, I would like you to meet my girlfriend Emily" Nathan says. "Girls this is my boyfriend Nathan" I tell them. They are shocked, Daniel speaks first. "It's about time you two figured out you were meant for each other"
"So how long has this been going on?" Ali asks. "Not long" Nathan answers. I look at Evie. "I knew something was up with you, why didn't you tell us?"
"We didn't want anyone to know yet, it's taken us three years to figure it out, we wanted to have a little privacy first but I'm glad you all know now" I say. We answer more questions until I can't take anymore, I drag my boyfriend from his seat and we dance the night away.