Feel Me ( under construction )

*. Chapter 2 .*

After my shower I tugged on some dark blue skinny jeans and a long lightweight plaid button down shirt, strolling back to the kitchen as I did up the few remaining buttons, to find it empty. Then I heard a high-pitched squeal followed by a laugh. Nikki was pushing Quinn on the swing in the backyard. They both appeared to be having the time of their lives as I watched them from the kitchen window. I decided to let them enjoy their fun, since it was the first time in a long time Quinn had laughed quite that hard. I've been a terrible mother lately. Not that I was neglecting her in any way, she was always clean, hair done, happily fed. I just hadn't been much fun, obviously.

I wrote Nikki a small note:

N - Going to the supermarket, text me if you want anything specific. I'll be back in a couple of hours, I just need some time to myself, thanks again x

As I made my way to the door to collect my handbag, keys and shoes, I glanced at myself in the hall mirror. I looked okay, almost presentable even. Grabbing my long hair, I tied it in a loose messy bun, a slight improvement. I slipped on my black ballet flats and headed out to my car.

~ ~ ~

As I pulled into the supermarket car park my phone whistled in my pocket, I opened the message from Nikki as I got out of the car:

Malteasers, Jäger, Red-bull, and a man with a really big...smile. Just the usual necessities ;)

I chuckled to myself at Nikki's shopping requests as I headed into the store, walking straight into someone's shopping trolley, "Oomph, sorry", looking up at the person who's trolley it was. I was met with piercing ocean blue eyes, brownish hair with blonde tips and a cheeky smirk.

"No no, my fault, I should have been looking out for beautiful redheads." He said with a laugh and an accent I couldn't quite put my finger on. I gave a small smile, accidentally bit my bottom lip and went to make my way around him. As I walked away, I could feel eyes on me. I turned to see the handsome man still smiling and with a wink in my direction, he left the store with his almost overflowing trolley. I could feel a flush take over my cheeks.

Was I just checked out by a younger guy? No, don't be stupid, I thought to myself as I grabbed an empty trolley. It was just Nikki's speech still playing with my head. I mean I wasn't horrible to look at most of the time. I was about 5'5", slim, ok maybe a little wide in the hips, long naturally copper hair, jade green eyes, full lips and milky white skin with a light smattering of freckles across my nose and cheeks. And I'm only 33, so it's not like I'm over the hill or anything.

Even though I knew it was just my imagination running wild, I went about my grocery shopping with a smile on my face.

~ ~ ~

I opened the front door and was about to call out for Nikki to help me when she ran up put her hand over my mouth and shushed me before I could say anything.

"Quinn's asleep on the couch." She whispered with her hand still covering my mouth as she aggressively ushered me backwards onto the porch. We stood like this for some time before both realizing we were just standing outside the house with her hand covering half my face, and doubled up in laughter.

"Oh. My. God!" I tried to get out between laughing and gasping for air.

"It's so good to hear you laugh properly again." Nikki beamed.

I nodded, "Um, so I've been thinking about what you said before, and it's time I took control of my own life. Obviously, I know I've got Quinn to think about, but that doesn't mean I have to be a hermit for the rest of my life. Andy would want me to move on and be happy. I'd want him to find someone new if the situation was reversed." I said with a smile. A real smile, not the fake one I'd mastered over the past 12 months. Nikki grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug.