Chapter 18

Soma’s POV

After Oliver and the other two left, I managed to let out a breath I was holding. I couldn’t believe I had a date coming up, I was a nervous wreck. At least now when Nick was here he would see that I am putting myself out there.

I smiled at the boxes of tea I had, I couldn’t believe Oliver helped me gain product. I knew I would owe him, and I honestly wasn't sure how I could repay him. I just hope he likes me for me, I don’t even know how I should act for him, maybe just be myself and see what happens. He was a handsome man, I’m just an average girl.

I set up my store and was happy with the way it looked. I was excited to show Nick when he got there, so he could see not everything was lost. I was finally figuring out how to be a store owner, and having someone come in just to buy stuff, felt great.

My phone rang and it was Nick, I was surprised I thought it fight wasn’t coming in until tomorrow.

“Hey!” I giggled. “I thought you were coming in tomorrow?”

“I was but I had a better offer for a faster flight, plus I didn’t want you to know. I wanted this to be a surprise.”

I could almost see him smiling, he was happy.

“So where do you want to meet?”

“Well…. I am already here,” he said. “Come outside.”

Looking towards the door I was nervous, but I was excited. I couldn’t believe he was here, and now he could see my store. Pushing the door open, a taxi came to a stop, Nick got out.

“Hey baby girl!” he said pulling me into one of his hugs. “The sign looks awesome,” he said as he put me down. “So show me around!” he said impatiently but in his playful voice. I knew he was excited as was I.

“Well, I’ve started to rebuild what the Detective and his goons destroyed,” I said as we walked into the shop.

Nick’s eyes scanned the whole place, he was silent for the longest time, I was beginning to worry about what he was thinking about, but he didn’t say anything.

“So what do you think?” I said almost holding my breath.

“I think this store is awesome,” he said finally looking at me. “Whether or not you were bothered by the cop, it doesn’t show here. It shows you have a lot of pride, and no one can step on you and force you down,” he said hugging me again. “Hell I didn’t need to come and save you, someone else did.”

“I have a date tomorrow.” I practically yelled out.

“You what? To who?”

“Well the guy across the street that owns the coffee shop, I guess he heard what happened and wanted to help. So after everything was said and done, I told him I owed him. He well he asked me out and I said yes.”

“Finally!” he exclaimed. “And here I was thinking I would have to force you out. Hell, this is going to be great.”

“Oh and another thing, the vendor I am going to use, I guess he knows you too.” I half-smiled.

“Oh really, what’s his name?” he quizzed.

“Matt, I guess he has a shop somewhere around here, and well Oliver and he are great friends and he’s the one that made my shop fill back up.”

“Small world, I’ve been working with Matt a few years, I guess I’m going to have to give him more money to keep you stocked.” he smiled.

“Oh, he wants to go out for drinks and do some hanging out I think,” I said biting my bottom lip. “Maybe we can convince Oliver to come as long as my date goes well.”

Nick and I messed around in my store for a little while. He helped me with some customers and was great, I wanted to see if he would come and hang out forever, that way we could co-own the store and everything would fall into place.

“Alright, I am going to close the store, that way we can get your stuff to my apartment, and then we can go and have some dinner if you want?” I said grabbing the money out of the register.

“Yeah I’m fucking starving.” he giggled. “But yes let’s stop by your place so I could take a quick shower and then we can go to dinner. Maybe you’ll take me clubbing after,” he said with an evil grin on his face.

“I doubt that.” I giggled. “Alright all done we should get going, I know the weather can be funny here, and I don’t want to be stuck here,” I said sticking my tongue out.

“Oh baby girl you don’t have to worry about being stuck here,” he said rolling his eyes. “You are in the city, the city will make sure you can get out of here,” he said pushing the door open and waiting for me to lock everything up.

The drive to the apartment was quick, Nick and I greeted Mouse and he ran to the shower. It was nice to be home, and it was nice to have Nick finally here with me. I didn’t feel so alone now, but I knew he would go back to London soon and I would be alone again. Honestly, as long as he came to visit it would be something I looked forward to.

“Hey,” Nick said.

“Hey, are you ready to eat something?” I asked.

“Yeah but I’m driving if you don’t mind, there is a place I want to take you and I know you’re going to love it.”

“Alright, should I be scared?” I giggled handing him the keys.

“You know me, scared isn’t a bad thing,” he said with an evil grin. “But no you don’t have to be scared, it’s a good place. One of the few that I loved when I was here setting up your place,” he said as we got into the car.

The car ride was silent, we arrived at an Italian restaurant, Nick knew me too well. A nice pasta dish is what I loved, and he could a perfect place. It was nicely lit and decorated.

“A table for two?” the hostess asked.

“Yeah, a booth please.” Nick requested.

“Follow me please,” she said glancing at Nick and then glaring at me.

Honestly, the girl didn’t know he was gay and we were just friends, it was going to be funny if she was the waitress too, I was going to make a game out of it. Once we were seated she glanced at me one more time, I could see she was jealous of me.

“The waitress is in love with you.” I giggled.

“Oh?” he said glancing back at the girl, she was staring at us. “Too bad she isn’t getting the chance.”

“Well, you better shut her down before she kills me with her glares.” I joked.

“Oh don’t worry I am going to make this as fun for you as it is for me.” he giggled.

I knew he had something planned, usually, it involved pissing the person off more, and I didn’t want any drama. But since he was visiting, I would let him have his fun.

“Hello my name is Doug,” he said glancing at both of us. “Here are your menus, what can I get for you to drink?”

“Wine,” I said first.

“Oh, drinking tonight?” Nick giggled. “I think I’ll have a jack and coke.”

“Alright I will be back here in a bit with your drinks,” he said bowing before leaving us sitting there.

“Better not drink too much.” I winked at him. “We can get drunk at my apartment when we’re done here.”

“Don't worry we’ll get some more alcohol after dinner,” he said winking at me. “I hope you have a good stomach for some drinking games?”

“Uh no,” I said shaking my head.

“Alright here are your drinks, did you two decide what you want to eat?” Doug asked setting the drinks down for us.

“Oh yeah my girl will have the Pasta Carbonara, I’ll have the same,” Nick said handing him the menus. “You don’t mind my love?” he said looking at me with loving eyes.

“No,” I said taking a deep breath. I wasn't sure what he was doing, but I guess this was part of his plan to get the girl jealous.

Doug brought dinner to us, we ate in silence. I glanced and watched the waitress and Doug talking, they kept glancing in our direction. I figured he was telling her what we ordered, and anything else he thinks she should know.

“All done?” Doug said coming around.

“Yeah check as quick as you can!” Nick snapped.

We finished our drinks by the time he brought us our check. We paid and left, but before Nick left the restaurant he stopped to talk to the hostess. At first, she was happy, but when he sprung it on her that he was gay, her face turned to disgust, it was kind of funny to watch.