CHAPTER SIX
NORA
“WOW,” I SAY, BREATHING IN the warm air while staring up at the Chicago shore line from inside a ferry. “This is an amazing way to experience the city.”
Evan grins then drapes his arm over my shoulder. “Plus, the tour guide knows a ton of useless shit to fill your head with.”
I shake my head with a playful laugh.
Over the last three weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time with Evan. A great deal of fully dressed and totally platonic time, but I’ve enjoyed every second. Thanks to Evan, I’ve now experienced Navy Pier, Shedd’s Aquarium—where Aidan tagged along—the Art Institute, Millennium Park—again with Aidan—the Hancock Building, the Field Museum, and now, we’re on an architecture boat tour where a new city is capturing my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible.
I turn my face toward him. “Thank you. Seriously. Thank you. I…I didn’t know starting over could feel this good.”
“Neither did I, babe. Neither did I,” he repeats before pulling my shoulder tight against his chest where I find myself tucking my head into his neck. I’m sure to everyone around us, we appear like a real couple, but instead…we’re friends learning to live again.
“Next Saturday, Aidan and I have Cubs tickets. What do think about coming with us?” I unlock my apartment door, glancing toward Evan who’s wearing a smirk.
“I wouldn’t mind experiencing Wrigley Field, but if that kid of yours thinks I’m going to walk out of there a Cubs fan, he’s sadly mistaken.”
Evan chuckles, following me through the door. “Personally, I’m a White Sox fan, but my dad has rooted for the Cubs for years. That’s where Aidan got his love for the team, but now that the Cubs have finally broke their curse, I’m letting them have their big moment.”
“Okay. I’d love to go.” When our gazes lock, the air between us shifts, and I swear, I can see a longing shining in Evan’s eyes—something I haven’t seen since the night I met him, the night I paid him to have sex with me. Sure, he’s placed his arm around me a few times, and he even held my hand while we walked around Navy Pier, but he’s never crossed that line, the one that would ruin our new-found friendship.
“Well…” he clears his throat and pockets his hands in his jeans, “I need to get to going.”
Of course, he does. He probably had a date, or maybe I should say, an appointment tonight. I know we’re friends—only friends—but it sickens me to think after he spends the day with me, he leaves to spend the night in someone else’s bed. It bothers me to the point that if I’m being honest, I’m not sure how much longer I can continue our friendship. “See you later,” I mumble, walking to the fridge, ready for a glass of wine.
“Hey, do you want to go out for lunch with Aidan and me tomorrow? We could grab some pizza,” he says, his mouth lifting with a smile.
“Umm, I actually…” Against my will, my heart is starting to feel something real for him, and I can’t let myself slip any further into this trap than I already have. The last few weeks have only proved what I knew to be true, and that’s Evan is an exceptional man. But it doesn’t matter how great he is, he’s bound to break my heart. On top of charging woman for sex, he’s still in love with his late wife. I can’t complete with that. “I’m…sorry. I can’t. I already have plans,” I lie.
He blinks a few times, processing my comment before he nods his head. “Yeah, okay. Well…I’ll shoot you a text about next weekend.”
“Sounds great. Make sure you tell Aidan I said hello.” I practically usher him to the door where a look of disappointment mars his handsome face.
“Enjoy the rest of your night,” he adds seconds before I close the door.
I’ll go to the game next weekend. I’ll make sure to soak up as much time with the two of them as I can, then regardless of how painful it will be, I’ll finally cut my ties with Evan and his son.
EVAN
It wasn’t hard to convince Nora to give me her cell phone number, but outside of a few texts, I’ve never actually called her. This week, however, I repeatedly fought the urge to dial her number. I went from only seeing her here and there to practically spending the entire weekend together—often including Aidan. When I left her apartment last Saturday, I could tell something was wrong, but we had a great time earlier. Therefore, I didn’t push. But now that I’m standing outside of the Cubbie Bar, hoping like hell that she isn’t about to stand us up, I wish I had called her earlier in the week. I pull my phone out of my pocket, ready to call her, when her soft voice greets my ears.
“Hey.”
I quickly glance up only to find Nora dressed in a Yankee’s tank top and a pair of denim shorts. My mouth waters from the way her shirt pulls against the swell of her breasts.
“Sorry, that crowd on the red-line tonight was a little rowdy.”
“I’m sure it had nothing to do with your shirt,” I joke, reaching for her hand.
“I received a few strange looks, but no, it wasn’t my top.” She awkwardly ducks around me, avoiding my hand and glances inside the restaurant. “Is Aidan here?”
“Yeah, he’s holding down our table. Follow me.” I try my hardest to keep a relaxed tone, but that same feeling I had when I left her place last weekend has returned ten-fold. Something’s not right, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out what I said or did.
“Geez,” Aidan mutters, fighting back a smile when he spots Nora. “Out of everything you own, that’s what you decided to wear?”
“I’ll make you a deal. If the day ever comes that I get to take you to Yankee Stadium, I’ll keep my mouth shut if you decide to go decked out in Cubs apparel.” The anxiety swirling in the pit of my stomach starts to lessen. She wouldn’t make a comment about taking Aidan somewhere if she’s about to send me packing.
“Let’s figure out what we want to order. The sooner we eat, the sooner you can show Nora around.”
They’re both grinning like fools, and for the first time in what seems like forever, I feel at peace. I’ve been told for years that everything happens for a reason, but it wasn’t until I met Nora that I’m finally ready to accept that my life, my soul, my future, doesn’t belong to the person I promised it to.
Aidan looks at Nora, still riding the high he received from watching the game. “The jumbotron was only added a few years ago. I like it, but at the same time, I don’t. It kind of takes away from the original feel of the stadium.”
“That’s exactly how I felt when the Yankees rebuilt. That’s what kicked my butt into action, and I forced myself to actually sit down and plan out a trip to Fenway Park.”
“You’ve been to Fenway?” Aidan asks in awe.
“Yep, and Wrigley Field was on my bucket list for years, so thanks for allowing me to tag along.”
“How many stadiums have you been to?”
“Quite a few on the East Coast, but I’m hoping to make it to AT&T Park and Coors Field one day.”
“That’s so cool. Maybe if I beg, you’ll take me with you.”
Nora’s expression falls before she glances over at me. “If I ever go, I’ll make sure to tell you.”
I loudly clear my throat, gaining both of their attention. “I know you already had plans last Sunday, but what do you say to meeting us for lunch tomorrow?” Aidan’s face lights up while the opposite happens with Nora.
“Actually, I have…a lunch date tomorrow.”
A storm starts to brew in my head while Aidan repeats, “Date?”
“Yeah...there’s this guy I work with. He seems nice, and he’s hinted around about taking me out, but I finally decided to take him up on his offer.”
I crack my neck before inhaling a deep breath, hoping to control the sudden fury flowing through my veins.
“Oh…okay,” Aidan says, sounding just as puzzled as I feel.
“The line for the train isn’t getting any shorter, so I better get going.” Nora gives the two of us a quick wave before darting up the subway stairs.
“I’m confused. I thought Nora was your girlfriend?”
“I…well…we…never actually talked about it,” I mutter before taking a quick glance at Aidan.
“Oh, Dad. If you want a girl to be yours, you’ve gotta tell her. Otherwise, they’ll go out on dates with other guys.” He shakes his head. “I sure hope Nora hasn’t friend-zoned you because I really like her.”
“Me too,” I say through a sigh, wondering how I managed to fuck up things with the only woman I can imagine sharing my life with.