Chapter 29

Soma’s POV

I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to go on a date tonight, I was already scared of Detective Marks, and it seems he and Oliver have some history. Maybe I should hear him out and see what he has to offer, I can’t keep dealing with Detective Marks and his craziness.

“Are you okay?” Nick said shaking me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah I am just thinking about tonight, I don’t know if it’s a good idea to go on a date after what just happened,” I said shaking my head. “I think you and Oliver can go and hang out, I just want to go home and hide.”

“No Soma, you need to hear him out. He will protect you as long as you let him.” Nick said shaking his head. “I know you think you’re alone here, but you’re not.”

“Yes I am Nick, Oliver can just walk away from this, and I will still have to deal with Detective Marks.”

“No I think you are reading Oliver wrong, I don’t like the guy because he’s a war- he’s different, but I think you should give him a chance,” Nick said walking over to the window. “I will come but I will not be with you at the table. You two need to talk and I feel you will gain some interest in what we are.”

“We are humans Nick.” I snapped.

Here he goes again talking like we’re something different. I thought maybe it was nothing, but now that he mentions it again, I am seriously doubting things again.

“We’re not,” he said looking at me. “I know you want to believe that, but tonight after you and Oliver chat, I think things will be different. I think you will understand a little more, and you might even be open to everything.”

“Great so you’re making me go out with someone that is as messed up in the head as you. I don’t think I want to go, Nick, this is getting out of hand.” I said throwing my hands in the air. “What next you’re going to tell me everything that is made up is real?”

“To a point yes Soma,” he said looking at me and then out the window. “You are one of those that has to see to believe things, you’ve always been one for proof before you believe anything.”

“Well can you blame me, I’ve been fooled too many times in the past, and this is probably one of those things? This is going to make things weird between us you know?” I said, I instantly regretted saying that but it was the truth. If there was no truth in what he was talking about, I don’t know if I could keep being his friends. This was hard on me, and I know he knows it.

“Don't worry Soma when everything is said and done you are going to realize I have never lied to you about anything,” he said walking over to me. “Please just trust me, I know you will understand everything when it's said and done.”

I didn’t say anything else, maybe he was right and I would have to see everything and hear Oliver out. I wasn't sure what Oliver had to do with this, but with everything Detective Marks has been saying, he is involved almost as much as he was. I was getting nervous as the hours were passing, and soon it would be time for me to go home and get ready for this date. Where we were going I had no idea.

“What am I supposed to wear tonight?” I said looking at Nick.

“A dress most likely, I will go over there and have a chat with him, and see where you two will be going. That way you’ll know how fancy you’ll have to dress,” he said leaving me standing there.

My heart was racing, I wasn't sure if Detective Marks would come into my store again and make a big deal out of this. I was afraid he would cause issues tonight and arrest us again and take me somewhere far away. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had to be ready for it. I couldn’t let him take advantage of me again.

Nick was back and my heart started to calm down. “Sorry I would have been back a minute ago, but Oliver had some questions about what you liked to eat.” he half-smiled. “He said dress in a relaxed setting this isn't going to be romantic where you go home to sleep with him.”

“Thanks,” I said rolling my eyes. “I’m still a virgin and I wouldn't go home to sleep with the guy even if things went that way.”

“Yeah well you need to get laid, and he’s going to be the best one you’ll ever have.”

“Yeah, and you would know how?” I questioned, but I didn’t wait for him to answer. I didn’t want to know, he didn’t know what Oliver and I would have if it would be anything. I closed my eyes and tried to ensure myself this was a date to get information and Oliver was not interested in me. I still owed him for helping me with my tea. I had to remember this was just a business deal.

“Ready to go home and get ready for your date?” Nick asked breaking me out of my thoughts.

Looking around I realized it was dark outside, and we didn’t have a single customer today and that was depressing.

“I guess, I thought we would at least have one customer,” I complained.

“Tomorrow will be better,” Nick said wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Forget about your store and think about your date tonight, I bet you’re excited.”

“No more like nervous, I know this isn't a real date,” I said shaking my head. “I kind of owe him this date for helping me with my tea issue, and well you want me to talk to him about all this stuff that I don’t believe in. I am not sure it’s going to work out the way you want it to.”

“Well give him a chance, I’ve been around him a little bit and I am starting to like him. Maybe you’ll fall in love with him and forget about everything that has happened.”

I didn’t say anything, maybe he was right and I would fall in love and forget about everything bad that has happened. Maybe Detective Marks will move on and we’ll live happily ever after, I doubted that very much seeing that he already told me he was going to use me to hurt Oliver. I wasn't sure what Detective Marks plans were, but I figured they weren’t going to be good and I was probably going to jail because I played a part in all of this. I came here for a fresh start, and it seems like there wasn't going to be anything fresh about this. I frowned as we walked to my car, I didn’t say anything the entire ride home. I knew Nick was excited and he wanted me to take a chance, but I had a bad feeling in my stomach and it was something I couldn’t ignore.

“What are you planning to wear?” Nick asked as we walked into my apartment.

“I don’t know, I haven't been on a date and the only dress I have might send the wrong signal to him,” I said shaking my head. “That is why I wanted to do it tomorrow so I could at least go and get a dress or something else.”

“Show me the dress I will tell you if it’s too much,” Nick said walking into my room with me.

Going over to my closet, it was shoved in the back with the rest of the things I didn’t wear often, I needed to throw it in the dryer so at least it smelled decent.

“I love this dress,” Nick said taking it away from me. “Yes a little sexual, but you need to show yourself off, you are beautiful Soma. Come let’s throw it in the dryer, go take a shower, and dry your hair. We have about an hour before he’ll be here.” he said pushing me into the bathroom. “I’ll take care of the dress.”

I took a shower and did everything I needed to be ready, I just needed to put the dress on and some shoes, and then I’d be ready to go. My heart was racing, I didn’t know what to expect when I looked at myself in the mirror, I was amazed that I look beautiful.

“See you clean up nice,” Nick said elbowing me in the arm. “Don't worry you’ll do great, and if you aren't a virgin tomorrow I am not going to be mad.”

“Don't worry that isn't going to happen,” I said giggling. “But nice thoughts, how long until he gets here?”

A knock on the door startled them both. “Now, I’m assuming.” Nick giggled opening the door and Oliver was standing there in a nice suit, I felt underdressed now.