Until Series(47)

“Son,” Mr. Stevenson calls out and Nick’s head lifts, “I’m going to need you to pull all the papers for the Armsted estate then gather the transfer papers.”

“No problem. How are you, November?” Nick asks. He has on a suit and he looks good in it. He also has on a pair of black rimmed reading glasses that make his eyes stand out. His hair is a little shaggier than the last time I saw him and it fits him well.

“I’m good. How are you?” I ask, starting to get uncomfortable about the way he is looking at me. I have on a pair of black leggings and a cream scoop neck sweater. I’m also wearing black knee high wedge heels and the scarf I got from Liz’s store.

“Good. I was just getting ready to have lunch. Do you want to join me?” Nick asks me.

His dad takes a step back and I feel awkward that he is asking me out in front of his father. Plus, he knows I am seeing Asher, who has made it perfectly clear that I’m not available.

“I’m sorry, but I’m meeting Liz for coffee.” His face falls and I feel bad. I’ve never liked hurting people’s feelings. “But I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you joined us.”

Even though I am sure that she will mind. I invite him anyway She doesn’t seem like a people person. I am actually surprised that she even agreed to have coffee with me. Then an idea forms in my head. Nick is cute and Liz is pretty. Maybe they could get together.

“Sure.” He smiles and stands. He takes off his glasses and lays them down then grabs a file and hands it to his father, who looks shocked.

“I’ll be back in an hour. Do you want me to get anything for you while I’m out?” he asks his dad.

“Coffee,” his dad tells him. Mr. Stevenson turns towards me. “It was nice meeting you, November. See you next week,” he says, smiling big. EEEKKKK!!

“Nice to meet you too,” I say, walking out the door. “Um, Dad, I’ll see you at home, I guess,” I say, almost wanting my dad to offer to stay. I don’t want Nick to get the wrong idea that this is a date or anything close to a date.

“Sure, baby girl. See you at home.” We are all standing outside on the sidewalk a couple blocks away from Liz’s store. I watch my dad walk to his car. His head is bent towards his boots and he is shaking his head.

“Um, we can just walk to get Liz, and then go to the coffee shop next to her store, if that’s okay with you?” I say, looking up at Nick.

“Sure, lead the way.” He smiles and I smile back, and then I pull out my phone. I debate about calling Asher. I feel guilty and I don’t want him to find out that Nick is with me by someone else, but at the same time, I don’t want to call him in front of Nick, and have him freak out and get into an argument with him while on the phone.

“So, are you still seeing Asher?” he asks. I put my phone away, deciding I will just call him later.

“Yeah,” I say, smiling.

“Oh.” His eyebrows shoot together in surprise, and worry crosses his face. “Look, November, I know you’re new but you should know—”

I cut him off before he can make me mad. “What? That he has bagged almost every girl in town? Tell me something I don’t know. Do I like knowing that?” I ask, looking up at him. “No, but it is what it is, and I’m giving him a chance. He is sweet to me, and if there comes a time when he is not sweet to me, I will deal with it. Got it?” I narrow my eyes.

“Got it,” he says, his lips twitching. I am still looking at him when I’m grabbed from behind and pulled off the ground. I scream and start kicking, trying to throw a punch. I can hear someone telling me to calm down, but I can’t stop fighting. I won’t let myself be dragged down an alley and beaten again. I kick, scratch, and scream then arms wrap around me, and I am being rocked back and forth. Someone is whispering to me that it’s going to be okay. I start pulling myself together.

I open my eyes and see Nick standing further down the sidewalk with Cash blocking him. I take a breath and realize that I’m sitting on the ground. Not only that, but I’m in someone’s lap. I hold my breath and lift my head. Yep, it’s Nico and he has a bloody nose and a mark under his eye.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I swallow hard and shake my head. “I don’t know what happened.” I shake my head again, trying to clear the adrenaline.

“Do not apologize,” he says, framing my face with his hands. I can feel the tears sliding down my cheeks.

“Jesus, Asher’s going to kick my ass.” He leans in and kisses my forehead then pulls my face back into his neck. I let him hold me for a minute and feel so embarrassed about what just happened.