love ain't | nolan patrick

5: a proper date

Alexa

Two weeks. It's been two weeks since I broke up with my sleazeball of a boyfriend, and I haven't been this happy since we first started dating.

If not having to deal with his shit anymore wasn't good enough, I've gotten closer to Nolan, without having to worry about Collin getting mad about it.

"Hello?"

"You doing anything tonight?" My best friend asked on the other line.

"Not that I know of."

"I'm taking you out, on a proper date."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm taking you to dinner, and I'm driving you, and not leaving you on a sidewalk in the cold."

"Nol, you don't have to."

"As your best friend, this is my job and you have no choice. Sorry, sweetheart."

And just like that the phone call was over. I immediately strolled over to my closet and began sifting through my dresses, praying I had something to wear.

After throwing the gorgeous blue dress that I had previously purchased for the hell of a date just a few weeks ago, planning to give it to a friend or Goodwill maybe, I came across a dress that I wore to formal my senior year. It was pretty dressy but knowing Nolan, that won't be an issue.

It was a bright red, short little number that had a puffy skirt, kind of like a ballerina tutu. It had a V-neck and spaghetti straps. I paired it with some diamond studded earrings I got for my graduation and silver heels.

After straightening my hair and doing my makeup I received a a text from Nolan saying that he would be at my house in two minutes.

"You look nice," My mom said as I carefully walked down the stairs in my unnecessarily high heels, "I haven't seen that dress in a while."

"I'm going out with Nolan."

"Did he finally ask you out?" My sister, Aaliyah, asked from the living room.

"Not exactly," I shifted back and forth from my toes to heels, "We're going out as friends."

"Right," My mom said skeptically.

By the time I escaped the interrogation being put on by my family, Nolan was leaning on the side of his car, looking as his feet with his hands in his pockets. He looked up when he heard the door latch behind me, a small smile appearing on his lips.

"You look nice," I complemented as he opened the passenger door for me.

"Well, I had to at least try to look like you're not just going on a pity date with me."

"If anything, you're the one taking me on a pity date," I joked.

Sometimes I wonder if this friendship we have would ever be more. Obviously this 'date' is only Nolan's chivalrous side showing. It's only him wanting to show me how much he cares for me as a friend, nothing more. That aside, I do wonder if what we have is only a simple friendship.

Nolan and I were seated immediately when we arrived at the five-star restaurant he insisted on taking me to. It sounds cheesy, but I really would be just as happy sitting in a diner in sweatpants, eating chicken nuggets and cheese fries.

"So this is what it feels like when your date shows up!" I said sarcastically while we picked at the calamari starter we ordered.

Nolan chuckled, "I'm gonna be honest, this is the first real date I've been on since I left for Brandon."

"No way, José," I said disbelievingly.

"Obviously it's not like I haven't talked to anyone, but I don't really have time for dates in Philly, and I couldn't have cared less about chicks when I was in Brandon. It was all about making the draft."

"Well look at you now, Mr. First Round Pick," I stared proudly. Nolan blushed and buried his face in the menu.

——

I felt like I could barely maneuver myself out of the car when Nolan parked outside my house. I absolutely devoured my crab cakes and I have no regrets.

"Seriously, Nol. Thank you for all this. You didn't need to," I said for probably the tenth time tonight.

"You deserve it, Alexa."

Our eyes locked. For the first time in my life, all I wanted was for him to kiss me. I had never felt the urge to kiss Nolan, but right now, I couldn't keep my mind off it.

I brought my hand to his cheek, hoping and praying that he would take the hint. It felt like we were moving in slow motion as our faces grew closer and closer until our noses were practically touching.

I snapped back into reality, abruptly pulling his hands from my waist and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Thanks again," I said quickly as I unlocked my front door and slid in as quickly as I could. I rested my back on the door, trying to comprehend that I almost just kissed my best friend of nearly fifteen years.

I just opened a door I might not be able to close.

——

i always have ideas that sound so good and then when i go to write it, it's literal dog shit

lol