It must be love

Chapter 10

Nigel

I watched as Ava took off her skates, her eyes shining and face glowing as she had a huge satisfied grin on her face. The girl took my breath away, she ignited feelings within me that I thought were dormant and feelings that I had not wanted to feel since Tracy.

"That was so much fun! How have I never skated before?" She squealed and I caught her as she threw herself into my arms. I laughed spinning her around, I felt like a teenage kid on his first date and couldn't be happier. I put her down and smiled as I caressed her cheek and asked if she was hungry as if on cue her stomach growled.

"Starving" She snickered.

"There's a dinner two blocks from here, I know it's not a high class restaurant but-‘’

"Let's go then!” she cut me off then pulled me towards the exit not before waving to the still starstruck teenager behind the counter.

We left the car and decided to walk, I had her hand in mine as we leisurely strolled on the side walk under the Boston stars and thankfully the sidewalk wasn't as busy meaning we could walk freely. The feelings Ava was invoking within me was so new and terrifying at the same time because as much as I don't want to admit it, I was apprehensive because of the whole situation with Tracy, yes I know Ava is not her and all but I can't help thinking where it would leave us when Ava has to go back to L.A, because regardless of what little time we have spent with each other, I can honestly say that I was growing to like her… A lot.

“Are you even listening to me?” she purposefully bumped my shoulder and I looked down towards her, I stood at a good couple of inches taller than her.

“Yeah, I'm listening.” I lied, I had been too distracted by my thoughts.

“Oh please." She scoffed, "You were a hundred miles away."

I sighed, "Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind.”

She asked if I was okay to which I nodded then led her into the diner when we got there. The hostess, Eliza saw us approaching and put on a huge smile. Eliza was a past fling and Jim's daughter, the owner of the diner.

“Nigel! How great to see you." She grinned and came in for a hug making Ava's hand fall away from my hold.

“Hey Eliza, I didn't know you still worked here." I pulled away from her then reached for Ava's hand. “This is my date Ava-‘’

"- Monroe!” Eliza gasped, "Oh my! Nigel, she's the biggest celebrity right now.” She gushed and fawned over Ava, they took a selfie together then she eventually led us to our table.

“Your waitress will be with you shortly" she crooned, eyes still plastered on Ava, after a while she walked away leaving the two of us in the blue booth and low light of Jim’s Diner.

"She's … nice.” Ava murmured reaching for the salt shaker.

"Yeah, Eliza's a bit much but hey,” I shrugged then looked around with a nostalgic smile on my face “This place hasn't changed that much. There was this one summer when my parents cut Nick and I off and told us to get jobs, we worked here and enjoyed it so much that we kept coming back each summer. I haven’t been here in almost four years though.”

"Sure you didn't keep coming back for Eliza?”

"Excuse me?” I coughed out

"She was flirting with you and –“

I laughed shaking my head, “Are you jealous?”

"I will hit you.” She scowled pointing the salt shaker at me threateningly.

"Okay, okay. I didn't mean to laugh.” I straightened myself and took her hand over the table, “I have a past and it's not great, I dated many girls and yes Eliza was one of them but that was a long, long time ago.”

She stared at me not saying anything then eventually gave a slow nod and sighed, “This is our first date and I'm already feeling all kinds of jealous and possessive. I'm not normally like this.

"It's okay, I feel the same way too." I gave her a reassuring grin.

"Good evening, I'll be your server today. What can I get you to drink?" The waitress asked when she got to our table.

I looked up and got the shock of my life, she stared at me then instantly paled as she realised who I was. I watched as a myriad of emotions played on her face and the familiar guilt I had always felt came back full force.

"Shelby" I breathed out the same time she whispered, "Nigel” then ran away. I let go of Ava's hand then ran after her shouting her name but like always, Shelby was faster. She made it to the door of the dinner and I followed after but watched as she hailed a cab and got in quickly then it sped away before I could get there.

“Dammit!” I shouted in frustration.