You & Me

Chapter 5

One week.

It's been a week now since I received the flowers from Declan. I have yet to text or even call him. What was I supposed to say? 

Hi, it's Nova from the party. Thank you for the flowers. How are you?

Yeah, that doesn't sound too good. That makes me sound like an awkward teenager. Why is it so hard?

Maybe because you haven't dated in three years.

I guess I was nervous more than anything, but also a little scared. I went through so much with Ace, and we were only together for a few months. I didn't trust men at all. How was I suppose to trust them when I was lied to and was used to cheat on his now-wife. For five whole months!

Even talking to Luca and Xavier about it didn't help. Their words were: "Girl, you haven't dated in three years, give it a shot. Declan wouldn't hurt you. He's a sweet guy. He seems pretty interested in you and doesn't mind you being a mom. "

I still wasn't sure, though. I didn't need Everleigh getting attached to anyone, just for them to leave. I couldn't put her through that. She's too little to have her heartbroken.

On top of things, work orders have been picking up like crazy and keeping me busy. Along with taking Everleigh back and forth to school. She was now a month into it and she loved it. 

Her first two days of preschool were rough. I had a hard time leaving her there when she was crying. The third day though, she couldn't wait to go, Beckett was now in her class. She also told me she made a few other friends. That made me happy. I was afraid she'd sit by herself not wanting to socialize with any of the other kids. She could be shy sometimes.

With today being Friday, I decided to take Everleigh out for lunch and then shopping after school. I needed to pick up some things for my shop that I was running low on. I also wanted to reward Everleigh for her first full month of school. 

When noon hit, I was patiently waiting for Everleigh to get out. Five minutes passed by and her teacher was walking her out to my car. 

"Hey baby, how was school?"

Clapping her hands together, she replied that her day was fun and then went into detail on everything they did.

When we arrived at the mall, it was not busy like I had thought, I preferred it this way.

I knew Everleigh would be hungry no sooner we entered a*****e. She'll get cranky if she doesn't eat soon and then on top of being tired from school, I wasn't ready to deal with that, in public. It's not the fact I couldn't handle her, it's all the people who stare and judge you.

Everleigh was picky when it came to eating out, so normally we ate at the same place every time. It consisted of a mom and pop shop in the mall. She loved their chicken tenders with french fries.

Everleigh and I were just finishing up when a familiar face walked in.

Declan.

The thing was, he wasn't alone. He had a woman and kids with him. Now, I was glad I never responded to him. Did he lie to me? Was he already with someone and had kids of his own? Was she his girlfriend?

So many questions were running through my head. I was so shocked.

Luca nor Xavier mentioned it, but maybe they didn't know. Maybe he keeps his personal life a secret. How good of friends were they?

Am I that naive? Is history trying to repeat itself?

Way to go, Nova, you only attract the ones who cheat on their girlfriends/ wives.

I needed to get out of here before he noticed me. I don't think I could look at him. If he did notice me, do I act like I don't know him? I'm sure he's asked the guys if I received his flowers. But why would he send flowers if he was already with someone?

Lucky for me, Everleigh was finished eating and the bill was paid for. We just needed to sneak out without being caught. 

Just don't look back. Please, don't look behind you.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The kids he was with, kept him occupied long enough for us to leave unnoticed. 

I no longer wanted to be here, but I needed the supplies for my projects. This trip will just have to be a short one.

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Okay, so our short trip turned into two hours of shopping. Lucky for us, we didn't get spotted by Declan.

One of the stores was having a sale on kid's clothes and I couldn't pass the opportunity up. I left with a hundred and fifty dollars worth of clothes for Everleigh. Plus, the hundred dollars I spent on Beckett. The guys were going to kill me when I give them the clothes, but I couldn't pass on the sale or the cute clothes.

No sooner we were inside the house my phone buzzed. 

Speaking of the guys, one of them sent me a message.

Xavier: Dinner tomorrow night at our house, 5:30 P.M. Don't be late, babe.

Me: We will be there. I have some clothes for Beckett I bought today.

Xavier: Luca says you need to stop spoiling him with clothes.

Me: Yeah, that won't happen. I'll just move on to buying him new toys.

Xavier: You wouldn't dare.

Me: Try me. You know I can't pass when there's a sale.

Xavier: We hate you.

Me: Love you both. 

Xavier: Yea, yea, just don't be late.

Leaving the conversation at that, I started putting things away while Everleigh went and played. 

I was going to need to run to the store tomorrow morning and grab things to make a dessert for after dinner. It was a tradition we did, whoever held the dinner the other person made dessert.

Checking on Everleigh I found her sound asleep in her bed with her toys. Moving those toys away and making sure I had the monitor with me, I went and relaxed on the couch.

My mind instantly went to Declan and many possibilities.

Why was he with that woman? Was she anything to him? Why did he flirt with me at the party? 2 Then my mind took another turn.

Will I ever find love? Will I be single forever? Maybe it's just meant to be me and Everleigh. 

I'm not sure when it happened, but at one point I fell asleep on the couch.