So, she’d ignore her queasy stomach and dig in, for Jo’s sake.
Pooling chocolate sauce on the bottom of her oversized bowl, she alternated various chocolate layers with nuts, whipped cream, and ice cream. After she’d poured the chocolate shell over the top and let it set up, she sat at the table in the kitchen’s nook, waiting for Jo to sit across from her. After tapping spoons, they dug in.
A few bites in, Shelby had to stop. She just couldn’t do it.
Jo’s forehead crumpled. “Really? Ice cream has always been your cure-all.”
“I can’t believe I was so wrong about him.” Tears burned Shelby’s eyes again. “I thought he was the one, Jo. He made me laugh like no one else. And he was the first guy who made me feel like my legs weren’t so bad. But none of it was true. He’d just told me all of that to keep me around long enough to help his sister’s business. He’s not the happily-ever-after guy I’d fooled myself into thinking he was.”
Jo frowned as she took another bite. “I know we’d still like to castrate Nick with a butter knife, but maybe I should tell you what happened after you left.”
“What? Did Nick and Lori have a good old laugh at how gullible I am?”
“No, not at all. They were both pretty upset. From their conversation, I figured out Nick never told Lori anything about your business, because if he had, he would have known she’d sold hers.”
“Lori sold her client list? I get asked that all the time. Please don’t tell me she sold out to one of those stupid online giants. They’re worthless.”
“I can’t remember the name, but yeah. It sounded like it. And something about their grandmother. And about disappointing Emily. It didn’t end well between them. You’ll be happy to know it looked like Nick had just taken a beating with a paddle in the principal’s office by the time we left.”
Shelby sighed. That should make her feel better.
Instead she still just felt unbearably sad.
***
Nick, tired of staring at his living room walls, needed dinner and a stiff drink. All he had was a jar of peanut butter in the cupboard and some light beer in the fridge. Not going to cut it.
Maybe he’d walk to the little Irish pub he’d been to a few times that sat on the corner just outside the subdivision’s gate. It was better than wallowing alone in his guilt.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out. The pub owners, an older couple who’d emigrated from Ireland, bragged that the magic in their whiskey was potent and smooth enough to drown any kind of pain.
Just what he needed to forget about Shelby. Her finding out and ending things was for the best. As much as he’d tried to convince himself he could be what Shelby wanted, he’d just fooled himself. Shelby deserved the prince she’d waited for.
And a prince, he was not. He’d proved that earlier by alienating all the women in his life.
After his short walk, Nick yanked the wooden door open and stepped inside the cozy pub. Thursday nights must be slow ones. There were only two guys throwing darts in the back and a few couples sitting at tables. The last thing he wanted to do was sit at a table alone, so he headed for the bar.
Brian, the owner, lifted a hand. “Be right with ya.”
Nick nodded and pulled out a stool. After Brian finished layering a proper Guinness and handed it out, he waddled over. “So, what’s your pleasure this fine evenin’? Nick, isn’t it? I never forget me a face.”
“Nice to see you, Brian. A double dose of your magic whiskey, and a corned-beef sandwich, please.”
Brian cocked his head as he poured out the drink. “I recall your fondness for the sandwich, but you’re usually a beer man if my mind ’aint playin’ tricks on me?”
Nick nodded. “Been a helluva day.”
“So, would your troubles be business related or woman based? ’Tis usually one or the other.”
Nick grunted. “Not just one, but four women. And one’s not even alive.”
“Well now, this can’t be good.” Brian chuckled. “I’ll be sending ya down a free refill to help soothe the pain while me lovely wife fixes your sandwich.”
“Thanks.” Nick drank deeply before swinging his stool around to watch the dart game. As soon as he’d drained his glass Brian appeared with another drink.
After lifting it up as a toast in thanks, Nick took another long pull.
By the time his meal arrived he felt nice and numb all over. He made quick work of the sandwich and all the thick fries on the side.
Just as he wiped his mouth on his napkin and pushed his plate forward, Brian appeared with another drink. “Are ya drivin’, son? If so, I’d have your keys and I’ll call you a cab.”
“Nope.” Nick shook his head. “I’m on foot tonight.”
Brian slid the drink closer. “Then, bottom’s up it is.”
Brian waited as Nick drained his glass. “I fancy myself a good judge of character. You strike me as a fine man, Nick. Want to talk about it?”
“There’s where you’d be wrong.” A bitter laughed escaped. “A fine man I’m not. I just screwed up the best thing I’d ever had. No one is talking to me because I’ve been an ass. Just like my father. That apple not falling far from the tree thing is real.”
Brian stood patiently and listened as Nick spilled his guts to this virtual stranger. Something he’d never done before.
After he finished, Brian said, “I’ve been married going on forty years now. Can’t say I understand women any better now than on me weddin’ day. But seems to me, your heart was in the right place, ya just went and mucked it up real good. So, what are ya gonna do to fix it?”
Nick shook his head and started on the fresh drink Brian slid in front of him. “I don’t have a flippin’ clue.”
“Oh, but ya do.” Brian laughed. “Clearly ’tis love you have for each of them. Show ’em how much you’re willin’ to make an arse outta yourself. They love that the best. Women are odd that way. Write some silly poetry, or do something equally emasculating. The more humiliating, the quicker you’ll win their hearts back, and they’ll reward you with their pretty smiles. Especially your Shelby, there. She sounds like a woman worth a good fistfight. Am I right?”
Nick nodded. Shelby was worth it. Not that he’d win a fight in his current drunken state, but he couldn’t let Greg have Shelby. Brian was right. Time to fight for what he wanted. He’d figure out the how-to-be-a-prince thing as he went along.
What would it take to make them smile?
He tossed all the cash in his wallet onto the bar and then stood to go home. “Thanks, Brian. I owe you one.”
Brian smiled as he counted out the money. “It looks like we’re more than even here.” He slid a few bills back. “You’re a truly fine man, Nick. Don’t listen to the daemons inside who tell ya otherwise. Hope to see ya soon. Love to hear how it all went.”
“You got it. ’Nite.” Nick smiled as he weaved his way to the door. Maybe there was magic in that Irish whiskey yet.
***
Shelby sat next to Jo on the couch in their living room. With both their hands reaching in unison into the almost-empty bowl of buttered popcorn between them, they sighed as the ending credits scrolled for While You Were Sleeping.
She’d been weepy all day. Watching romantic movies probably wasn’t such a great idea. But she liked seeing other people get the happily ever after she hoped for herself one day.
Jo asked, “One more movie?”
“Why not? Let’s make our wild Friday night even better by shedding more tears.”
Jo smiled and topped off Shelby’s wine glass. “So, Emily’s birthday party is tomorrow, right? You up for spending the day with Nick’s family?”
“No. But I can’t hurt Emily. I have to go. Besides, I’m almost over him.”
Jo pointed to the stack of crumpled tissues on the coffee table. “That movie was a romantic comedy, not a tear-jerker, Shelby. You’re not even close to over him.”
“Okay. You’re right. But it’s so annoying.”
Shelby pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Laying her chin on her knees, she said, “Today I’ve shifted to being madder at myself than I am at Nick. I knew better, Jo. I’ve always steered clear of guys like Nick. I let his good looks cloud my judgment, like a silly teenager. I deserve all this pain. I’ll be sure to relive it if ever I’m tempted like that again.”
“Maybe you’re being a little too hard on yourself, Shelby. You’ve been really happy these last few weeks with Nick. It wasn’t just his looks. It ran deeper than that.”
“Maybe. But Nick is still the wrong guy for me in the long run. Emily is a good example. Nick missing her birthday party, putting work before her, will break her heart. She really loves him. And he knows it, yet he still made the choice he did. This way is better.”
Jo found Pride and Prejudice in the on-demand list and hit the play button. “I’m not on Nick’s side or anything, but he cared enough for you to find that fire report and help rid you of all that guilt about your family. That’s a Mr. Darcy move, for sure. I think there’s more to this story than you know. And may I point out, Elizabeth Bennet doesn’t like Darcy at first either. Then there was a bit of a misunderstanding about his behavior, but let’s watch and see what happens.”
“Funny.” She closed her eyes and sighed. She knew how the story went. After they’d sorted out their mix-up, Elizabeth realizes she was too quick to judge Darcy without all the facts. Then the happily ever after ensues. But hearing whatever lame excuse Nick came up with wouldn’t change the fact that they just didn’t want the same things and were never meant to be.
Stupid tears burned her eyes again.
Her happily ever after wasn’t coming anytime soon, so she settled in, determined to take her mind off Nick and enjoy the movie. It was one of her favorites.
After a half hour, she couldn’t stand it any longer. Darn Jo for making the reference between Nick and Mr. Darcy. Every time Darcy came on screen, her mind filled with images of Nick, all annoyingly handsome and perfect. “I’m gonna hit the hay. See you in the morning.”
Jo smiled. “Sweet dreams . . . Miss Bennet.”
“Ha-ha. If you weren’t my best friend, I’d . . .” She was pathetic. She was such a sad-sack she couldn’t even muster a decent comeback.
Crawling under her covers, she squeezed her eyes shut and counted from one thousand backward, praying it’d block all the thoughts of Nick and Mr. Darcy bouncing around in her head.
***
Shelby hitched up the strap of the bag of books on her shoulder and shifted Emily’s gift to her other hand. She could handle a simple birthday party for a kid. She opened the glass door and entered . . . mayhem. The loud, happy screeches of kids playing video games blended with the electronic bleeps and blips. Six-foot-tall furry woodland characters mingled and took pictures with the children.
The scent of sugar and greasy pizza body-slammed her. The noise and the smell weren’t going to help the stress headache that gripped the base of her skull like a vise.
She forced her feet to venture farther inside, wading through smiling kids running around with fists filled with tickets. There must’ve been four or five parties going on at the same time. There were people everywhere. The place was packed.
After finally spotting Lori and her parents at the rear, Shelby headed their way.
She added to the pile of gifts on the table marked with Emily’s name then sucked in a deep breath for courage before turning to greet everyone. Before she could say hello, Nick’s mom stood and held her arms wide for a hug. “Hi, Shelby, thank you so much for coming.” Linda wrapped her arms around Shelby and whispered, “I know it’s not easy for you to be here. Nick told us what a dope he’d been. But we’re all so happy you decided to come.”
Relieved, because she’d fear they’d all take his side, she finally smiled. “Emily’s my favorite fan. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Lori said, “Come sit and visit with us for a minute while the kids are playing games. It may be the only chance we have at some semblance of peace for the rest of the afternoon.”
Shelby waved to Nick’s dad, who was busy assembling a toy, then slid on the bench next to Lori. “I’m sorry about the other day—”
“Nope.” Lori held up her hand. “I understand. Beth purposely made it sound like she and Nick were going on a date, of course you were upset. I was mad at Nick too, until I calmed down a bit and thought about it. Nick was just being . . . Nick. He can be kinda clueless sometimes, but he actually meant well with the spying.”
Meant well? Was she pulling an Elizabeth Bennet on Nick? Jo said there might be more to the story.
Didn’t matter. Nick wasn’t the right guy, as much as her heart kept telling her so, she needed to listen to her sensible brain.
Emily ran toward her with her arms spread wide. “Hi, Shelby.”
She lifted Emily up and gave her a tight hug. “Hi, Em. Happy birthday! Are you having fun?”
Emily nodded “Yeah. But I miss Uncle Nick.”
“I know, kiddo. But hey”—Shelby lifted her bag of books—“wanna pick out which books to give to your friends and then I’ll sign them?”
“Okay.” A big smile formed on Em’s face as she dug through the bag. Lori wrangled all the little girls and managed to organize a line.
Em, seated on Shelby’s lap and excited to help, held the book open to the right page for her to sign. Emily’s hair smelled like Johnson’s baby shampoo and something sweet, a little like . . . cake. Shelby drew a deep breath and imprinted the memory. She hated that she probably wouldn’t see Em much anymore.
Just as she signed the last book, Emily pointed and screeched, “Look. It’s Chester!”
When Shelby spotted the six-foot-tall monkey carrying a present, she smiled. She hadn’t seen that character when she’d come in. Must be part of the birthday package Nick paid for. It was nice he thought to get Emily a monkey that looked so much like Chester.
Emily squiggled out of Shelby’s lap and dropped to the floor. She ran full tilt toward the monkey, dodging all the other kids in her path. The monkey leaned down and opened its arms wide. Emily screeched with joy as the monkey picked her up and swung her around.
As depressed as Shelby had been the last few days, it felt good to smile. The happiness on Emily’s face made it hard not to. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.
After the monkey set Em down, he handed her the present at his feet. She picked it up and added it to all the others on her table. “Mommy, Chester is going to play games with us now.”
“Okay, have fun.” Lori waved at Emily as she slid next to Shelby on the aluminum bench. All the kids gathered around the monkey, who picked each of them up and gave them a big twirl. “Nick must’ve really been feeling guilty about missing the party. That monkey had to cost a bunch extra.”
Shelby shrugged. “Yeah, but he needs to learn he can’t throw money at a situation and make it better. He should’ve made the effort to be here.”
Lori’s mom and dad joined them. Linda said, “I totally agree. This is a fun party, Lori.”
When the monkey picked Emily up and carried her over to the skeeball machines, Shelby turned to Lori. “So, Jo mentioned something about you selling your client list?”
Lori nodded. “I loved being a matchmaker, but life got in the way. I needed to make more than my business was pulling in to be sure Em can go to college one day. But I’ll really miss the people. And proving my gut feelings were right when they end up together. You know the feeling, right?”
Shelby shook her head. “I don’t have the gut thing, my matches are based on algorithms. But I know what you mean about the excitement of matching the right people. It’s an awesome feeling to be a part of that.”
“I had a good feeling about you and Nick.” She held a hand out in her parents’ direction. “We’re all sorry things didn’t work out.”
“Yeah.” Shelby sighed. “Me too.”
Nick had th
e nicest family. It always made her heart ache a little when she spent time with them. Since losing hers, she’d always longed to be a part of a family again. But that wasn’t happening anytime soon.
Suddenly the monkey and Emily appeared in front of Lori. A muffled voice from inside said, “This is for you, Emily’s mom.”
“A present for me?” She reached out and peeked inside the big gift bag the monkey held out. Lori pulled out a stack of papers, frowning as she studied the note attached.
“What have you got there, Lori?” Nick’s dad asked.
“It’s my client list.” Lori’s head whipped up and she blinked at the monkey. “How could . . .”
The monkey lifted his hands and removed the headpiece.
Emily screamed, “Uncle Nick is Chester! I thought you had to work?”
Nick’s family all smiled as Nick picked Em up and gave her a hug. “I couldn’t miss your party, Em. I let someone else handle my work.”
Then he turned to Lori. “You need to do what you love, Lori. It makes you happy. I’m sorry I tried to fix things behind your back. Won’t happen again. We’ll find a way for you to go to school and keep this too. Okay?”
Lori blinked back her tears as she pulled the bundle of papers to her chest. “Thank you, Nick.”
The raw emotion on Lori’s face thawed Shelby’s frozen heart a few degrees.
Nick had actually come through and chosen his sister and Emily over work. Good for him. Maybe he had changed a little.
When Nick’s eyes met hers, his smile slowly faded. The unhappiness written all over his face tugged at her soul.
Lori quickly pulled herself together and reached out for Emily. “Let’s go get some more cake everyone, so Nick can speak to Shelby.”
Emily frowned. “But he wants cake too.” She turned to him. “Right, Uncle Nick?”
He handed Em over and forced a smile. “I’ll be there in a minute. Save me some okay?”
Lori and her family quickly disappeared and then it was just the two of them, staring at each other, surrounded by screaming kids.
Butterflies took flight in her gut as she rose from the aluminum bench. “Hi.”
Matching Mr. Right (Rocky Mountain Matchmaker Series Book 1) Page 17