Page 20 of Thirteen Years
He looked at me seriously, “You don’t have to thank me for protecting you.”
“Am I interrupting something?” Monica’s voice came from my left side, a man standing behind her grinning at Lucas.
She knew damn good and well she was interrupting something. My eyes narrowed at the look on her face. I may have just met her, but I could tell she was up to something.
“Thought we’d come over and check on you two,” the man standing behind Monica said, “Hi. I’m Nick, a coworker of Paul and Lucas’. You must be Becks. It's nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand for me to shake.
I shook it and smiled warmly at him, still glancing at Mon out of the corner of my eye.
“She’s fine. Just shaken up. I don’t think that asshole will be back any time soon,” said Lucas, nodding at Nick.
“I’ve got a horrible headache,” Monica said, “I was going to see if Lucas could make sure you get home safely? Nat is going to stay the night again at my house, I’ll be fine as soon as I get out of this noisy bar.”
“I mean…I can if Nick doesn’t mind?” said Lucas looking at him questioningly.
Monica, not so subtly elbowed him and he grunted before clearing his throat.
“Oh no. Man, they called me from the station and need me to come in and check on something?” he stated as more of a question, looking at Monica for approval.
Monica rolled her eyes, “Real slick,” she muttered.
“I can take you home.” I interjected, eyes narrowing at my friend, “I don’t want you to have to deal with an extra child with such a bad headache,” I ensured her, making direct eye contact, knowing full well what she was trying to pull.
“Oh no, hon. This is your first night out in forever, and Lucas will take great care of you, won’t you Lucas? Here, give me your car keys and we can bring your car, and Nat, back to you at the same time tomorrow.” Monica was full-fledged grinning at me now, shoving Nick toward the door.
I was going to have to kill the first friend I'd made in thirteen fucking years.
I glanced at Lucas, and he just shrugged, “It’s fine with me, babe,” he said with a blinding smile.
I sighed. It looked like I was outnumbered. I handed my keys over to Monica and watched as she sashayed out of the bar, arguing with a confused Nick, but clearly pleased with herself.
Turning to face Lucas, who was still smiling at me, “You look absolutely gorgeous tonight, Rebecca,” he said suddenly.
I knew I had to be blushing furiously now.
He eyed me, putting his hands in his pockets, “You wanna get out of here and maybe just take a walk or get some coffee?”
I nodded as he extended a hand out to me. Blowing out a breath, I slipped my hand in his and let him lead me out of the bar.
As we exited, Monica pulled out of the parking lot, honking and waving at me. I fought the urge to playfully flip her off and instead waved back, before crossing my arms and shaking my head as she drove away.
Lucas chuckled beside me. “So coffee or walk?” he asked.
“How about coffee to-go and a walk?” I replied.
“Brilliant,” he grabbed my hand, causing butterflies to rise in my stomach, and began leading me down the street to the local coffee shop.
Chapter 12
Listening to Becks' laugh was enchanting and I could do it all night long. We’d long since thrown away our to-go cups and were on the paved walking path at the park. We’d been talking, conversation coming easily now for an hour.
“So, does this count as our first date, instead of bowling?” asked Becks. She grinned up at me, her hand warm in mine. I couldn’t believe this woman was finally spending time with me, especially after I had felt like it might not happen when she chose to go out with Monica tonight, instead of me. She smelled so good. Her scent was clean, like fresh laundry, like lemon and a cottony type of smell. She really did look beautiful tonight. Hell, every time I saw her she looked beautiful to me. Whether she wore sweats or the damn dress she was wearing. It didn’t matter. She could wear a garbage bag and I’d think she was beautiful.
“I think we could consider this a date. How’s your first date going?”
“Amazing,” she breathed out, “I think it was almost better that it was spontaneous. I didn’t have time to be nervous.”
I squeezed her hand gently, “You never have to be nervous around me, sweetheart.”
