The job sounds great.
Doctor was cute, and he told me
that he was attracted to me
I smirk and hit send. That’s something I never thought I’d write.
A message bounces straight back from Brooke.
What the fuck?
I giggle and another message from Jo comes in.
Are you for real?
Serial sleazeball or what?
I smile as I type.
100% Call you later.
Nathan comes back to the table with my drink, and I stuff my phone into my bag. “Thank you.” I smile. “What have you been doing?”
He slides into his seat. “I think I finally found an apartment. I look at it tomorrow.”
I roll my eyes into my glass of wine. “You don’t need another apartment.”
“Your apartment is too small for us.”
“You have your own gigantic apartment across town. If my apartment is too small, you can always go home, you know.”
“Stop it.” He gives a subtle shake of his head. “I like to stay with you in your apartment with your things around us.”
“But I’m happy where I am.”
“What’s the problem? Your rent will be the same. Nothing will change for you except you’ll get to live in a bigger place.”
“Yes, but that means you will lose out financially. Plus, we won’t always stay together. What happens when we meet someone? What happens then?”
“Then it’s your apartment and I will stay at my place.”
“I don’t need a bigger apartment.”
“I do. I need an office and I need to be able to keep some clothes at your place. I need a treadmill so I can run if I get caught up at work late. Your apartment has one bedroom, Eliza; it’s way too small.”
“You have all those things at your place.” I scoff, how many times do we have to have this conversation? “You can stay there if you want those things.”
“Stop pissing me off, Eliza,” he snaps. “I’m not having this conversation with you. I’m finding an apartment, and I’m getting it, and you will fucking love it when I do.”
I smirk against my glass. Controlling prick. If the truth be known, I really do want a bigger apartment but I don’t like the idea of him having to pay for it.
“Oh.” As if remembering something, he reaches into the inside chest pocket of his suit and pulls out an envelope. “I got you something.”
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
“I love surprises.”
“Really?” He replies dryly. “I would never have guessed.”
I take it from him and tear open the envelope. My eyes widen. Two tickets to… “Spain?” I gasp as my eyes rise to meet his. “What?”
“Happy birthday, baby.”
My mouth falls open in shock as my eyes skim the rest of the booking confirmation. “We’re going to Spain?”
“Uh-huh, for two weeks.” He gives me a sexy smile. “Next month. I know it isn’t your birthday for a few months, but I can only take leave then.”
“Nathan.” I smile. “Where in Spain?” My eyes speed read the document. “Oh my God, Majorca?” I gasp.
“Pronounced Ma Yorker.”
I hold the paper to my chest. “Last year you took me to Italy… now Majorca? You spoil me rotten.”
“We can only go if you agree to move into a bigger apartment.” His eyes dance with mischief, expecting me to explode.
“You would actually stoop so low to get your own way that you would bribe me with a trip?”
He takes a sip of his scotch. “Undoubtedly.”
“Fine, get the damn apartment.” I jiggle in my seat in excitement. “We’re going to Majorca.” My eyes widen. “Oh, but what if I get this job?”
“You tell them before you start that you have a pre-planned vacation that can’t be refunded.”
I smile broadly as I take his hand over the table. “I have to get it first.”
He squeezes my hand in his. “You will.”
Half an hour later, we are trolling the aisles of Nathan’s favorite bookstore. “It should be here…” He searches the shelves.
“Are you sure it’s out yet?”
“Yes, it should be, it released three days ago.”
I smile as I watch him search the shelves, Nathan is an avid reader, and his favorite author’s new book has just come out. God help us all if they don’t have it in stock yet.
“Just ask the shop assistant,” I say.
His brow furrows. “If they did their job correctly, it would be here with his other books.”
“Just ask. I’m not waiting here all night for you to try and find it.”
He turns and looks for an assistant. “Excuse me,” he calls.
The woman turns and her eyes light up like it’s Christmas when she sees him. “Oh, hello.” She rushes to stand beside him. “Can I help you?”
He gives her a charming smile. “Yes, I’m looking for Garaldi’s new book. Into the Woods. Do you have it?”
“Oh.” She smiles sweetly, completely flustered by his good looks. “I’m sure I can find one for you.”
I try not to roll my eyes. Honestly, it’s embarrassing the way women fawn all over him.
“I’ll need two,” he tells her.
“Buying one for a gift?” she asks to elaborate the conversation.
“No.” He cuts the conversation short and turns back to the bookshelf to continue his perusing.
I bite my lip to hide my smile, Nathan doesn’t engage in polite conversation. When he’s finished saying what he wants to say, the conversation is effectively over.
“I’ll go look in the back,” she replies in a fluster.
“Thank you.” He replies, distracted by the books in front of him.
“You know it’s pretty pointless buying two,” I lean in and whisper.
“I need one for your house and one for mine.”
“But you hardly ever sleep at your house.” I widen my eyes.
“Yes, well… one of these days I’m going to get sick of you hogging the bed and snoring, and I’ll return to the peace and sanity of mine.”
“Promises, promises.” I reply flatly as I roam up the aisle.
Two years ago, I broke up with my boyfriend. Nathan stayed with me for the night because he was worried about me. One night turned to two, two nights turned to five, and here we are two years later. He’s still buying two of every book he reads as if he’s going back to his house anytime soon.
“Here you are.” The sales assistant smiles as she approaches us with two books in hand. “They hadn’t been unpacked yet, they just came in.”
Nathan smiles as he takes them from her. “Thank you, much appreciated.”
He marches to the front counter to pay like the cat that got the cream. Thank fuck they had it. He would have made me search the city for it tomorrow if they hadn’t.
He pays the cashier, and we walk out into the street and toward the road. Nathan takes my hand in his.
“I can cross the street on my own. You don’t have to hold my hand, you know. I’m not five.”
“That’s debateable.” He mutters as he watches the oncoming traffic. He finally sees a break and drags me across the road.
“What do you think I do when you aren’t with me?” I ask as I half run to keep up with him.
“I hate to think.”
We get to the other side of the street. He lets me go, and I link my arm through his. Truth be told, I like the way Nathan makes me hold his hand on the roads. He’s done it since our very first dinner date, all those years ago.
“When do we go?” I ask as we walk along.
“Four weeks from tomorrow.”
“Maria didn’t mention it.”
“Because it’s a surprise.” He widens his eyes, as if I’m stupid.
“Oh right.” I beam. “I’m going to need new vacation clothes, and oh…” I clap in excitement. “I’m going to get one of those hats I wanted. You know, the ones that match your bikini?”
He smiles, clearly delighted by my excitement. “Okay.”
“You’re going to need new swim shorts, too.”
“I’m good.” He smirks.
“Nathan…” I smile up at him. “Thank you, I really needed this vacation. You’re too good to me.” I kiss his shoulder as we walk.
He leans his head down to rest on mine. “Only the best for my girl. Happy Birthday, baby.”