A few days have gone by since Nicole and I had our coffee date. I tried to keep things loose and fun, but the sexual tension between us was crazy. We did hold hands under the table like teenagers not wanting their parents to catch them. I think the taboo of it all makes it a little more exciting.
During our date, we realized that we both got invited to Shane’s first birthday party tomorrow. My invitation had Lucy’s name on it too. Nicole tried to back out of going, but I convinced her that it would be good for Lucy to see us as friends. Even though we are more than that.
I asked to see Nicole tonight, but she was helping Emily set up for tomorrow. As it turns out, Mac needed some help at the bar since one of his workers called out. I’ve filled in a time or two when Mac was in the military, so I’m familiar with the job.
“Hey, Daniel?” Mac’s voice brings me out of my daydream.
“What’s up?’
“I should ask you that. I’ve called your name, like, six times before you answered me. Everything OK? Serena’s not giving you shit, is she?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
“It’s slow tonight, so why don’t you sit down, have a drink, and let’s talk about whatever has you all weird.”
Mac’s right. It’s slow for a Friday night. Planting myself at my favorite spot, Mac slides a shot of whiskey down to me.
“Alright, Daniel, what the fuck?”
I chuckle because he and I have done this for a long time. Whenever we have women troubles, it’s the same routine. Now that he and Emily are married, I suppose it’ll just be my problems now.
“OK, so I did something that put someone I care about in jeopardy, and I’m not even sorry about it.”
“You mean when you and Nicole had sex a few weeks ago?”
Nearly choking on my whiskey, I try to get my words out.
“Let me guess. Nicole told Emily, who told you the story.”
"Yeah, man. Nicole came over a few days after it happened, all freaked out. I overheard her tell Em that she really likes you, but she’s afraid for herself and Lucy if anyone at the school finds out.”
Letting out a breath, I rehash the story to get his advice.
“First I need to know how you feel about her,” Mac says.
“Nicole is great. She’s funny and sexy. She cares about Lucy so much so that she was willing to call off seeing me.”
“OK, so the worst thing that could happen is Lucy gets pulled from Nicole’s class, right? She won’t get fired?”
“No, she won’t get fired, but she doesn’t want Lucy to get moved. She enjoys having her in class, and she’s made a lot of friends.”
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I don’t want you to freak out.”
What the hell is Mac going to ask me?
“OK, what is it?”
“If you care about Nicole like you say you do, do you think you can wait until Lucy graduates from kindergarten?”
“Have you met me? When have I ever been patient, man?”
This gets a laugh out of Mac. “I was never a patient man either until I realized how much Emily and I loved each other. Do you think it was easy being away from her while she was pregnant here without me? It sucked ass. Not to mention the amount of patience it took me to learn to walk and do certain activities after I lost my leg. My point is, Daniel, that those things we treasure most are worth the wait.”