Page 46 of Until Now
“You had a boyfriend?” He sounds genuinely shocked.
Was it that surprising? Then again… Maybe it was. He went to Bridgeport and Rosecliffe. I’m sure he heard the stories. Everyone did. Even if most of them weren’t true.
“Yes,” I contemplate the answer. “It wasn’t something I advertised. Not to mention, it wasn’t the best situation. I was, um…I was dating someone who I shouldn’t have gotten involved with.”
“Oh, this oughta be good. Who was it?”
“You’re actually going to judge me now.” Nick puts his hand up, swearing no judgment. “Do you remember John Jansen?”
His eyes widen. “Nina! You didn’t.”
“Guilty.”
“Is that why he got transferred?”
I sigh, “Mother found out and I had to tell Daddy. I begged him not to turn JJ in. But, as mad as I was about it…I’d been looking for a way out. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t upset. I was, especially when I found out who told.”
“Please tell me it wasn’t Alex.”
“No!” I laugh. “No, it was Teagan.”
“Teagan? But, I thought you guys were best friends.”
“We weren’t best friends, we weren’t even really friends. I mean, kind of, but… We actually hated each other. She only tried to be friends with me when her family had no money.”
“So, how did we get where we are now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You and Lee and Teagan.”
“Well, I told you Mother always wanted me and Lee to get together. And, I never was interested, but Lee was. So, when Teagan ratted me out, I wanted to take something from her, just like she took it from me.” I chew on my lip. How much do I really want to tell him? I mean this isn’t exactly first date material. “I proposed that Lee and I become friends with benefits. She had always been in love with Lee, so I knew it would kill her when she found out.”
“So you weren’t actually dating?”
“Not at first, but eventually. Then, I started to actually kind of like him. Thought we’d get married, have kids, the whole shebang.”
“Until Teagan.”
“Until Lee. He decided he didn’t want to be with someone independent and goal driven. He wanted someone who didn’t have any real passion in life.” Nick presses a kiss to the back of my hand. “I knew, or at least I had a feeling about what was going on between them. I didn’t want to believe it, but I knew.”
“I’m sorry, Dee.”
“Don’t be. Getting rid of Lee was the best thing that ever happened.”
“I’m sorry that I haven’t made this trip any easier for you.”
“I haven’t exactly made it easy for you, either.”
“So, let’s start over.” Nick sticks his hand out to me. “Hi, I’m Nicholas Davis. I work with my dad at the family shop and I used to think you were a stuck-up bitch, but I’m here to change that.”
I laugh but shake his hand. “Davina Bay Villa. I come from money but don't use it as a crutch. And, I kind of wish your brother had introduced us back in school.”
“We ready to order?” Steve reappears with his notepad ready.
§
After dinner, we walk down Oak Avenue, his arm wrapped securely around me. Tonight has felt like a fever dream. I can’t help but wonder when I’m going to wake up. When it’s all going to end… But, I should enjoy it while it lasts. So, I ask the question I’ve been curious about from the moment I saw him shirtless the first time. “So, I have a question…I saw that you have a tattoo on your chest. What does it mean?”