Chapter 39 Bronson

“So, let me get this straight. You’ve never had ice cream?” Nikki shouts causing me to chuckle. She’s got a nice warm smile and her cheeks are flushed. If I’ve learned anything from tonight, it’s that Nicole drinking, is something to see.
“I’ve had ice cream.”
“Really? How often do you indulge in sugary substances?”
“It’s not often.” I shrug and laugh when I see her throwing her head back cackling at my statement.
We’ve been here at the restaurant for hours. I’ve answered call after call from Rand and Jim, telling them that we are done and that we will be home soon, only each time it’s time to leave, Nikki starts a new conversation causing us to stay out longer. It’s nearing eleven o’clock and the manager of the restaurant has yet to come and kick us out.
The diner was fantastic, some of the best I’ve ever had and when I devoured my plate, I looked up to see Nikki looking at me with a smug look. I had to give her credit, this place was not only amazing, I found an amazing opportunity in business.
We spoke with the owner after he came out and welcomed us himself. They needed serious management update, and the place needed a pathetically obvious face lift, but with his chef and the way he cared about his customers, he could make it far in San Francisco. I told him about my funding of small businesses and handed him my card with a promise that we would get in touch once I landed back home.
Home. Just the word feels foreign to me. I was dreading this trip, wanting to simply get it over with and get back to my office in New York, but with Nikki, it’s become fun and exciting. I don’t necessarily want it to end.
“So, are you going to order it?” She asks as she wipes the tears from her eyes. Nikki had finished off a whole bottle to herself and although the wine wasn’t very tasteful to me, I had a glass myself.
“I think I might.” She mumbles something under her breath that I don’t catch and when I give her a stare, she shrugs and reveals what she said.
“I’m just saying…. you should indulge in something you want. Life is too short to not have dessert, or to worry so much about little things.”
It’s a strange thought for such a small conversation about the last time I had ice cream being well over ten years ago, but I know, looking at her sobering expression, that we are no longer talking about me. I have to play this right; I have to allow her to let me in.
“And have you done that Nikki? Have you taken the road of indulging?” I said I as a joke but staring into her crystal blue eyes as they lift from her hands on her lap to mine, has me realizing it’s anything but.
“I’m doing that now Bronson. I’ve never done anything like this. I’ve never moved in with a man I’ve never known, only to have him proclaim to save me. I’ve never crossed the country helping him in his stride to become the king of the world.” She smiles while speaking but her words, her tone, is filled with sorrow.
“Nikki– “
“You know what I would love Bronson?” I shake my head, leaning in closer so that I can hang on her every word. “I would love to tell you the truth about everything. To tell you why you should hate me, why you should steer clear of me. I’m not who you think I am, and in the end, you will only hate me and hate yourself for allowing me to get anywhere near you.”
I’m just about to speak up when the host comes over and leans into our face, asking if we want dessert. How this evening started out great and came to this conclusion is baffling, but I ignore the pang of confusion she is bringing out of me and shake my head towards the waiter.
It’s time to get Nikki home.
I pay the man, the measly forty-five dollars for the entire evening, leaving a tip Nikki would be proud of. She doesn’t notice anything when I stand and offer my hand indicating that the wine took more of a tole than I realized.
“Come on, let’s get you home.” She’s quiet, just looks at me with teary eyes and nods her head. I take her hand and pull her into my embrace, making sure most of her weight is in my frame. I walk her out of the restaurant, waving goodbye to the owner, then call Rand for the ride back. I don’t trust the streets this late, and we’re miles from the hotel.
Nikki makes verbal complaints on how she wanted to see the city at night, but I ignore them, even somehow ignore the small cute pout she puts on at going home via SUV. Se stares blankly at the window as we drive. She stares blankly when we arrive at the hotel and I help her into the elevator. She stares blankly ahead when I help her to our suite, and she stares blankly when I lay her in her bed.
“I’m a bad person Bronson.” She mumbles. He eyes are closing, and I know she’s falling asleep, but I don’t want to leave her.
“You’re not a bad person Nicole.”
“If you knew what I really was, the person I truly could be, you would throw me out of this room. You would never speak to me again.” Her eyes get teary once again and this time, I sit atop her bed, and take her hand in mine.
“Nicole, you’ve asked me before, why I brought you here to me, why I would give someone like you an opportunity. You’re a good person Nicole, that much I can tell just in the short amount of time we’ve spent together. You’ve opened up a new world for me, and by doing so, have opened up yourself. You’re not a bad person Nikki, and I’m going to spend out time together, proving it to you.”
She’s asleep by the time I finish my speech. I meant every word whether she remembers them or not and when I lean over and kiss her forehead then walk out of the room glancing back to stare at the beautiful angel that has started to consume my every thought, I realize how true my last words really are.