One Sweet Day I Found You: A Sweet Romance Book 1

by Jillian Walsh

  Tom turned off the stove and plated up the goods. Nick took it gratefully and scarfed down his first few bites of scrambled eggs, bacon, and two pieces of buttered toast. “Best roommate ever, dude.”

  Tom kept a straight face. “Don’t get too excited. You’re doing the dishes.”

  Nick laughed. “All right.”

  With a grin, Tom grabbed a seat and dove into his mini mountain range of eggs. “So, we’re still doing this barbecue thing tonight, right? It’s at Marcy’s this year. Apparently her complex has a good view of the water so we’ll be able to see the fireworks better than last year. I heard it’s supposed to be goin’ off. You’re in, right?”

  Nick shrugged. “What if I say no?”

  He wasn’t up for wholehearted celebration despite having the day off, but he wasn’t opposed to a good distraction. Otherwise, this was going to be a very long day.

  “If you say no, I’ll be dragging your sorry rear end off the couch and throwing you in the trunk of my car.”

  Nick squared his jaw and looked up from his plate, fork in hand, then grinned. “Fine. I’m in.” He took a long swallow of his coffee and went back to his plate.

  “Cool. Get your red, white and blue on by five o’clock. I’ll drive.”

  “Deal.”

  Courtney gazed down Main Street. It seemed the whole town had decked itself out in stars and stripes this morning. Banners, flags, patriotic bunting, and balloons garnished the storefront of every building on Heritage Bay’s charming main drag, including the Visitors Board.

  She scanned the crowds of people lining the sidewalks. She even spotted Beecham standing on the elevated porch outside the office. He’d have a great view of the parade.

  Kira had insisted the girls wear patriotic colors. She’d brought accessories for all seven of them—little flags to wave at the floats, sparkling red, white, and blue bracelets, and beaded necklaces to chum it up.

  Kira needed footage of the parade, and she wanted to feature her friends in her video, so they’d wholeheartedly agreed to wave the flags and cheer emphatically front and center along the parade route.

  Courtney studied the crowd, waiting for the festivities to begin. Would Nick be there? Or would he be at work on the Fourth of July? She’d never even had the chance to ask him. She hoped he’d been given the day off. She’d waited tables on many a holiday last year—it was always such a bummer.

  Courtney checked the time on her phone. Ten o’clock. She looked up as the first of the floats appeared and some patriotic tunes rang out from the floats’ speakers. Soon pick-up trucks, golf carts, bicycles, and motorcycles, all laden in blazing red, white, and blue, streamed down Heritage Bay’s Main Street.

  The local high school marching band soon followed, their horns blaring military tunes and their drums keeping time. A majorette team was close on the band’s heels, flipping their batons into the air and expertly catching them on the way down.

  Courtney couldn’t remember a more perfect Fourth of July parade since grade school. Her post for the Visitors Board had been right on the mark—thousands of people had come out to watch, and she guessed that few, if any, would leave disappointed.

  The parade lasted about an hour, and afterward, their group of seven had grabbed lunch at a food truck set-up. They’d come back to Marcy’s by two p.m., where they’d started setting up for the evening’s barbecue.

  By three o’clock, the place was ready, and by four, they were mixing strawberry margaritas. By five, the townies had started showing up, and by six o’clock, the party was well underway and had spilled out onto the lawn.

  A late evening sunshine warmed the crowd of excited twenty-somethings who stood around chatting outside Marcy’s apartment building. It turned out that Marcy’s neighbors on either side were involved in throwing the Fourth of July party as well. Three living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms were being used, while the spacious connecting lawn outside the units accommodated the majority of the guests.

  At least no one would complain about the noise, Courtney thought with a grin.

  The guests were mostly residents—both year-round and summer-only, Marcy had said. A few tourists would undoubtedly be brought along, however, having randomly met some of the locals at the Heritage Bay watering holes earlier in the week.

  Courtney glanced about from where she stood on the lawn with some of the girls. Word about the party had certainly gotten around. She guessed there were at least sixty or seventy people who now milled about, telling stories and laughing, having drinks, and eating picnic food. The chatter of conversation was loud, and the mood, spirited.

  It felt good to be part of the local scene, at least for the summer. She was grateful not to have been left out.

  She pushed her oversized frames closer to her face and studied some of the strangers standing nearby. There were several people she recognized, now that she’d been here just over a month. One of them was Marcos from Nick’s shop. He greeted her warmly.

  Maybe Nick hadn’t told anyone what happened between them yet? Maybe he hadn’t officially dumped her.

  Courtney chewed on a nail, glancing around. Could Nick be here? She studied the crowd. He could be in one of the other apartments. She ought to do a lap and find out.

  But if he were, what would she say to him? How should she behave? She threw back a gulp of her margarita and tried to refocus on Angela and Gia’s chitchat. They were wrapped up in a lively discussion about something Angela had read on social media that Gia was certain had been false. Courtney turned away to look around again.

  She wasn’t exactly sure what she’d do if she saw Nick, but she would figure it out. Her heart ached for him. What she wouldn’t give to be hanging out with him right now, the way things were before anything had gone wrong.

  Get over it, Court. Party pooper was not a good look.

  Courtney’s attention turned to the song playing on the set of wireless speakers in the yard. It was a popular one from the charts with a catchy beat. Gia and Angela began to belt out the lyrics, and a torturous pang of regret hit Courtney. She and Nick had listened to it in the Jeep on the way home from their first real date, his hand clutching hers across the seat.

  She swallowed hard and forced the thought from her mind. Today was supposed to be fun, not painful. Shake it off.

  Courtney was grateful when Kira appeared, holding out a plate of fruity appetizers on kebab sticks, each containing bright-red Door County cherries, luscious blueberries, and mini marshmallows. “Hey, ladies. Look how pretty—someone just brought these little patriotic gems! Help yourself!”

  “They’re so cute!” Gia said, taking one and slipping it into her mouth.

  Courtney and Angela helped themselves. “Thanks!”

  Kira, the social butterfly, moved on.

  Potluck buffets containing a range of barbecue fare—macaroni salad, chips, fruit, appetizers, and even several apple and cherry pies—had been set up inside each of the apartments. Courtney had dropped off a large platter of cubed watermelon on Marcy’s kitchen counter, and contributed a six-pack of light beer to one of the coolers outside.

  The mouthwatering smell of meat on the grill came from the far end of the yard, where a couple of guys stood flipping burgers and dogs.

  Courtney had polished off a serving of potato salad and watermelon earlier. A hot dog sounded pretty good.

  Gia and Angela turned to check out the guys at the party. “Look at him,” said Gia. Courtney turned to look in the direction she gestured.

  “Yum,” said Angela. Then Angela turned the other way and stopped talking abruptly, a huge grin crossing her face. She’d spotted someone, but apparently she wasn’t going to tell them who it was. “I’ll be back, but don’t wait for me,” she said, eyes straight ahead.

  “No problem.” Gia called, although Angela was already out of earshot. They both turned to see who the object of Angela’s attention might be.

  Courtney’s mouth dropped open.

  Tom.

&n
bsp; Angela went in for a bear hug and Tom picked her up, hugging her tightly. What was the history between those two? Courtney’s interest was piqued.

  “Wow. Who’s the hottie?” Gia asked.

  Courtney hesitated, trying not to stare. “Oh, his name’s Tom.”

  She was about to say more when the crowd in front of Tom and Angela cleared.

  Courtney sucked in a breath.

  Nick.

  He clutched a bottle of beer and sported a white shirt with blue Bermudas. He looked stunning. She grinned. Too cool for all three colors, eh?

  He hadn’t spotted Courtney yet.

  Courtney turned around quickly and took hold of Gia’s arm. She pulled Gia with her so she could face the other direction.

  “What’s wrong?” Gia searched Courtney’s face.

  “Oh, my gosh. Gia, that’s my boyfriend—I mean, sort of. The guy I’ve been dating all month—until last week. We’re not speaking right now. He’s kind of mad at me.”

  Gia’s expression changed. “Really? Where?” She glanced back discreetly in the direction they’d been facing. “You never told me you were seeing someone.”

  “I know. Sorry. It’s kind of a soft spot for me right now.” Courtney stared at the grass.

  “Oh, no problem.” Gia waved it off.

  Courtney lowered her voice. “He’s standing next to his roommate, Tom, the guy that Angela just mauled. Do you see him? Oh, my gosh, what am I gonna do? Is he looking over here?”

  Gia looked over at Nick, whose back was now to them. “White shirt? Brown hair?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Heavens, girl. You better make up with that one! He’s a sight for sore eyes.”

  Courtney whined. “I know. Easier said than done, though.”

  “That’s too bad, but you have to say hello, before he sees you avoiding him. Try to stay calm and don’t be obvious.”

  Courtney’s back was now to Nick.

  Gia kept an eye on him across the yard. “All right, follow my lead and he’ll never know you just freaked out like a schoolgirl over here. But take off your sunglasses first so that he can see your eyes.”

  Courtney let out a nervous giggle and removed the sunglasses. “Okay.”

  “What’s his name?”

  Courtney told her then grabbed Gia’s arm once more. “Wait. How do I look?”

  Gia sized her up, pushed a few stray hairs from Courtney’s face, and yanked on one of the straps of her cami top to even it out with the other one. She looked at Courtney’s denim shorts and sandals, and Courtney straightened her shoulders. “Gorgeous.”

  “Thanks,” Courtney said, flattered.

  “Now turn back to the way you were standing before. Don’t be obvious. Very casual now…” Gia drew out the words slowly.

  Courtney turned back and the next moment, Nick looked over and met Courtney’s gaze. She took in another breath and narrowed her eyes, searching his face. Quietly, she mouthed it. “Hi.”

  Twenty-Three

  Nick stared back across the well-manicured grass, ignoring the groups of people standing around him laughing and talking. His heart sank down into the pit of his stomach.

  She was here. He never expected that. His pulse quickened.

  Courtney was a knockout. That genuine—albeit, cautious—smile she wore right now. It was contagious. Her light-brown hair, and those long legs—in heels? He wanted to run over there, pick her up, and swing her around—and then hold her tight and never let her go.

  He said it back before he could stop himself. She couldn’t hear him, but she could read his lips. “Hi.”

  Tom and Angela noticed Nick’s distracted manner and looked over to see what, or who, was behind it. Tom peered through the crowd and found Courtney just as Nick turned away. “Dude! Go talk to her.”

  “What? No.” Nick tried to downplay it.

  “Who?” asked Angela, standing on tippy-toes to look. “You mean the blonde? That’s Gia. She’s single, you know. New in town. Intimidating—you might think. But not once you meet her.”

  “No, Sherlock, not her. Courtney. Nick’s been dating her, but they’re having a rough week.”

  Angela looked at Nick. “Get out? I had no idea! Courtney hung out with us all day. She didn’t mention it.”

  “Very helpful, Angela.” Tom rolled his eyes but grinned and stuck a fist into the pocket of his jeans. He and Angela had attended college together and were still good buddies. “By the way, you need to introduce me to Gia later.”

  Angela smiled. “You got it, pal.”

  Angela directed her interest to Nick. “So, what’s going on? Why don’t you go talk to your girlfriend, you nimrod?”

  Tom grinned again, removing his hand from his pocket and throwing his arm around Angela’s neck. “Because that would be the mature thing to do.”

  Angela laughed and tousled Tom’s boyish, short hair.

  Nick was indignant. “It’s not that simple.”

  “It really is,” said Tom, smirking.

  Nick looked at his roommate, lightening his tone. “Did you know she was going to be here?”

  “Of course not. How would I have known that? I only met Courtney once, and I haven’t even seen Miss Angie, here, since last summer.”

  “Well, heck, if I’d have known you and Courtney were a thing, I’d have told you guys to get here earlier.” Angela threw back a swig of her beer. “Courtney’s been here all day. Nick, your chickie there is awesome. Hung out at the parade with us this morning. Totally cool girl—fits right in with the posse. Kira brought her around last week at The Anchor.”

  “Yeah, so I heard,” said Nick sarcastically. Still, he was glad to hear she’d been getting on well without him. He stole another glance at Courtney. Gosh, he missed her.

  “So, what happened? It can’t be that bad, can it, Nick? That girl’s an angel. While most of us have been scamming all day, making eyes at everything that wags its tail, she’s been behaving.” Angela made eyes at Nick’s tanned, muscular frame. “Of course, now, I can see why. She’s got a stranglehold on some prized meat.” Angela laughed at her own joke. “Nick, you have got to go make up with her.”

  Tom laughed. “You really know how to sum it up, Angie. But stop objectifying men. You’re making us feel used.” He laughed and Angela laughed back, and Nick finally joined in. They all took long swigs of their drinks.

  Nick shrugged and turned back to them both with a look of surrender. “She’s got another dude, all right? I found them together at her place, last week, after she was out with you and Kira.”

  Tom looked shocked. “Oh.” He made a point of making the word last an extra-long time. “So, that’s what’s been eating you, Mr. Grape? You should’ve told me, dude.”

  Nick let out a breath through his nose.

  Angela flashed a mischievous smile. “Oh. So there’s a dark side to Little Miss Girl-Next-Door, eh? I like it.” She was quiet for a few seconds. “Come to think of it, I did see her talking to some guy at the bar for a while. And, I’m not sure when she left. She didn’t say goodbye.”

  Tom looked half amused, but he pulled her in tighter for an affectionate hold and scolded her. “Okay, Angela, so now you’re really not helping.”

  “Yes, she is.” Nick cut in. “Go on, Ang. What happened? Do you know? Who was that guy?”

  Angela flipped back her long, raven-black hair. “Actually, I think Kira said he was her ex-boyfriend? From out of town, something like that.”

  Nick chewed on the side of his mouth.

  Tom finally interjected. “Guys, this is not eleventh grade. Nick, I’m glad you’re finally spilling the beans, but don’t you think it would make, like, a ton more sense if you just went over there and asked her yourself?”

  Nick scowled.

  “Maybe nothing happened!” Tom threw an arm up in the air. “Only one way to find out. Look at her! She obviously wants to talk to you, if you ask me.”

  Tom waved at Courtney, making a point of being obvious. Co
urtney managed an awkward wave in his direction, as did Gia.

  “No one asked you.” He jabbed Tom in the gut lightheartedly and grinned.

  But Tom was right. It was time to have it out with her, like it or not.

  Tom punched him back then looked him in the eye. “It’s now or never, man. What’re you gonna do?” He put an arm around Angela again and she tickled him. He laughed.

  “All right.” Nick said, matter-of-factly, ignoring their antics. He clinked his bottle of beer against Tom’s and then against Angela’s. “Fine. I’ll talk to her.” He started to walk away, then called back. “And will you two take your hands off of each other for more than thirty seconds?”

  They laughed, and Nick heard Tom. “Ten bucks says he leaves the premises in the next thirty seconds.”

  Nick snorted softly, laughing again.

  The sun was setting as Nick crossed the yard. Courtney looked up and caught her breath as she saw him walking toward her. It was finally happening. Her legs felt like jelly. She straightened her shoulders and tried to compose herself.

  Nick stopped in front of her, beer in hand, his mouth edged up in a half grin. “Hey.”

  “Hey.”

  Gia stuck out a hand with a set of perfectly manicured pink nails. “Hi, I’m Gia.”

  Nick took it, greeted her generously, and shook. “Nick. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Nick turned back to Courtney and Courtney wasn’t sure what to say, and an awkward silence fell over the group.

  Gia cleared her throat then turned and pointed. “You know what? I’m going to go see if Marcy needs any help,” she said. “I haven’t seen her in hours. I’ll just be over there if you need me.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Gia.” Courtney gave her a grateful look and she strolled off.

  Courtney gazed up at Nick, swallowing. Her throat felt dry. She had a desperate urge to throw her arms around him, but that, of course, would not do.

  “So, what’s going on?” asked Nick. “I hear you’re friends with Marcy and the others now.”