Jo smiled. “Best dinner ever, right?”
Shelby wrapped her arm around Jo’s waist and squeezed. “You’re the best friend ever.” Thank goodness she had Jo. The only person who’d never let her down.
So, she’d ignore her queasy stomach and dig in, for Jo’s sake.
Pooling chocolate sauce on the bottom of her oversized bowl, she alternated various chocolate layers with nuts, whipped cream, and ice cream. After she’d poured the chocolate shell over the top and let it set up, she sat at the table in the kitchen’s nook, waiting for Jo to sit across from her. After tapping spoons, they dug in.
A few bites in, Shelby had to stop. She just couldn’t do it.
Jo’s forehead crumpled. “Really? Ice cream has always been your cure-all.”
“I can’t believe I was so wrong about him.” Tears burned Shelby’s eyes again. “I thought he was the one, Jo. He made me laugh like no one else. And he was the first guy who made me feel like my legs weren’t so bad. But none of it was true. He’d just told me all of that to keep me around long enough to help his sister’s business. He’s not the happily-ever-after guy I’d fooled myself into thinking he was.”
Jo frowned as she took another bite. “I know we’d still like to castrate Nick with a butter knife, but maybe I should tell you what happened after you left.”
“What? Did Nick and Lori have a good old laugh at how gullible I am?”
“No, not at all. They were both pretty upset. From their conversation, I figured out Nick never told Lori anything about your business, because if he had, he would have known she’d sold hers.”
“Lori sold her client list? I get asked that all the time. Please don’t tell me she sold out to one of those stupid online giants. They’re worthless.”
“I can’t remember the name, but yeah. It sounded like it. And something about their grandmother. And about disappointing Emily. It didn’t end well between them. You’ll be happy to know it looked like Nick had just taken a beating with a paddle in the principal’s office by the time we left.”
Shelby sighed. That should make her feel better.
Instead she still just felt unbearably sad.
***
Nick, tired of staring at his living room walls, needed dinner and a stiff drink. All he had was a jar of peanut butter in the cupboard and some light beer in the fridge. Not going to cut it.
Maybe he’d walk to the little Irish pub he’d been to a few times that sat on the corner just outside the subdivision’s gate. It was better than wallowing alone in his guilt.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out. The pub owners, an older couple who’d emigrated from Ireland, bragged that the magic in their whiskey was potent and smooth enough to drown any kind of pain.
Just what he needed to forget about Shelby. Her finding out and ending things was for the best. As much as he’d tried to convince himself he could be what Shelby wanted, he’d just fooled himself. Shelby deserved the prince she’d waited for.
And a prince, he was not. He’d proved that earlier by alienating all the women in his life.
After his short walk, Nick yanked the wooden door open and stepped inside the cozy pub. Thursday nights must be slow ones. There were only two guys throwing darts in the back and a few couples sitting at tables. The last thing he wanted to do was sit at a table alone, so he headed for the bar.
Brian, the owner, lifted a hand. “Be right with ya.”
Nick nodded and pulled out a stool. After Brian finished layering a proper Guinness and handed it out, he waddled over. “So, what’s your pleasure this fine evenin’? Nick, isn’t it? I never forget me a face.”
“Nice to see you, Brian. A double dose of your magic whiskey, and a corned-beef sandwich, please.”
Brian cocked his head as he poured out the drink. “I recall your fondness for the sandwich, but you’re usually a beer man if my mind ’aint playin’ tricks on me?”
Nick nodded. “Been a helluva day.”
“So, would your troubles be business related or woman based? ’Tis usually one or the other.”
Nick grunted. “Not just one, but four women. And one’s not even alive.”
“Well now, this can’t be good.” Brian chuckled. “I’ll be sending ya down a free refill to help soothe the pain while me lovely wife fixes your sandwich.”
“Thanks.” Nick drank deeply before swinging his stool around to watch the dart game. As soon as he’d drained his glass Brian appeared with another drink.
After lifting it up as a toast in thanks, Nick took another long pull.
By the time his meal arrived he felt nice and numb all over. He made quick work of the sandwich and all the thick fries on the side.