Saving Nicole

Chapter 14: Look at that "Lucky" Number

Nicole's POV
--

When I wake up, Dallas is gone. No where to be seen. The scent of him still lingers on my sheets and on my clothes, but other than that, he's gone. The tangy scent of mint hangs in the air. Had it not been there, I'd assume it was just a dream.

But he was and it was real.

My fingertips touch the soft skin on my cheek where his lips were not long ago. It makes me wish he would do it again, but I know that it's stupid. Ugh! Why do I have to feel this way?! Why does HE make me feel this way?!

Shock is nowhere to be found. That's a first.

--

"Whatchya wanna do now?" Dallas asks. It's been 11 hours since I woke up. He hasn't mentioned anything and I don't think he will. I know what he's doing.

He's acting like it didn't happen. He's going to pretend he didn't randomly show up in my house, in my room, in my bed. And I know if I ask, he will deny it.

But I know it did happen. He knows that, too.

"Eh. I should probably get going. It's getting late." He nods and shuts off the TV with the power button, the screen immediately blackening. I hoist myself up.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" He asks, his Australian accent making my heart ping.

"Nah, it's alright." I smile gently at him and turn for the door, but he grabs my arm to hold me there. His intense green eyes find mine and I realize that I was avoiding them. They see the truth in anything and everything.

"Are you okay, Nic?" He asks, a slight tremor in his voice that suggests something's off.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I smile again and tug free from him before walking the five minutes to his front door. Once I reach the outside, I turn around to say goodbye one more time.

When I turn, I come face to face with Dallas. His minty breath puffs against my face and we are so close that one move would make our noses touch. He grins at me, his eyes crackling like an emerald fire and I feel myself start to drown.

Usually I would pull away immediately or play it off, but I can't. Not this time. I'm stuck. So I just stare at him.

"Nic?" He asks quietly, his green eyes darting to the side.

"Yeah?"

"Don't forget your jacket." The dimpled grin doesn't leave his face as something lands on my shoulder. My navy jacket.

"Yeah. Thanks." I say, the spell having stopped and I take a step back. I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, but pretend I'm not blushing from embarrassment.

"Nic?" He asks again. I'm not looking at him, but I feel the intense heat of his gaze. I fumble with the sleeves of my jacket, pulling it on and fixing it.

Then something prevents me from fumbling anymore. A startled intake of breath comes from me when I feel Dallas's lips on my cheek. As soon as they appear, he pulls back and wraps his arms around me in a hug. I hesitantly wrap my arms around him, unsure of myself.
What is going on?

"Stay strong." He whispers in my ear. Okay, maybe he won't ignore last night.

--

For the rest of the week, I have the dreams. They are all different, but all about my dad. And each time I wake up, Dallas is here.

And then the next day he wouldn't say anything.

I've begun to think maybe I was dreaming, maybe I was imagining the minty smell of him.