Miss You More

 

I nearly choked on my drink at the sight of them. Hadn't I just told Ash where we were with the explicit purpose of her avoiding my location?!

Ashley came up to us, sporting slight Bambi legs and very apologetic eyes. "I'm so sorry," she hiss-whispered to us. "I let it slip you were here and then Nick took control of the group." 

My stomach dropped. Was I in some sort of flashback episode of The O.C.? I took a deep breath. 

"It's fine," I said shortly, trying to avoid any sort of freakout. Ash then turned to Dylan and gave him a huge hug. 

"Hey stranger!" she said enthusiastically. The two of them began the usual small talk that accompanies seeing a long-lost friend. While they were occupied, I figured I better bite the bullet. Sliding gracelessly off of my stool, I headed over to where Nick was chatting with Trevor. 

His gorgeous eyes landed on mine, the same eyes that had enraptured the entire country on their screens. 

"Hi," he said with a slow smile, not even hiding his eyes sliding up and down my body. Thank you, universe, for at least making this reunion happen when I had really good hair.

"Hello," I said back. This was riveting conversation. Trevor quickly read the situation and politely excused himself, with a quick squeeze of my shoulder as he wandered off. 

"You look great," he said. I returned the sentiment, then we sat there in awkward silence for a solid 20 seconds. 

"So, is that the ex?" he asked, nodding his head toward Dylan. 

"Yeah, he's in town for a work thing," I replied awkwardly. When he didn't respond I offered "Do you want an introduction?" 

He gave me a look. "You're right, that's weird," I followed up, peppering the response with nervous laughter. 

"Well I'm just a little upset, I thought maybe I'd be the lucky one taking you home tonight," he boldly said. 

Now it was my turn to give him a look. We both laughed, but I could feel the tingling down low telling me everything I needed to know about who I wanted to go home with. Ugh. 

"Well, see, I typically don't go home with guys who ignore my texts," I said, emboldened by his own honesty. 

He flushed. "I actually... have a reason for that. I wasn't the one who initially read it." At my confused expression, he continued. "I was in the shower when you sent it the other day and someone else opened my phone. They deleted it, but told me about it a few days later." 

"Can you stop being so vague with 'they'?" I pressed. 

"Lacey," he responded, looking at his feet. Well, that stung. Two minutes into our reunion and we're already about to have our first fight. 

"So if Lacey is in the picture, why are you making comments about coming back to my apartment?" I demanded. 

"She's not in the picture at all, she was still at my apartment as the crew was wrapping up filming for the day, and I had to get ready for something that evening," he responded. "She's... upset with me and when I told her I was coming to New York for a few days she flipped and mentioned you, and the message. By that point I felt too weird texting you back. I'm sorry."

I absorbed this. "To be honest, I didn't need so much detail, but thanks," I said with a small laugh. 

He smiled back, offering nothing further. "Well," I started, "I should get back." I gestured to where Dylan was nursing his drink at the bar. "Good seeing you." 

As I walked away, I felt more emotions than I had in a while. I was walking away from my past...toward my past. My heart did a bang-up imitation of the Grinch's at the end of the movie - growing multiple sizes - everytime I saw Nick. And now I had to go act like I was totally fine and resume my date with Dylan. 

"Hey," I said with an apologetic smile as I returned to my original seat. Bless him, he didn't press me on anything. 

"Hey you, your drink was starting to get watered down." he smiled. 

"So, do you want to get out of here?" I asked, desperate to escape this suffocating situation. 

"Always," he replied. 

As Dylan settled up with the bartender, I snuck a glance over at Nick. The group had settled into a booth in the corner and were laughing at something Trevor was saying. I caught Ash's eye as we headed out the door, giving her a small wave. 

On the walk home, Dylan took my hand in his. 

"Thanks for being so cool back there," I said to him, keeping my eyes trained ahead on 12th. 

"The amount of times you had to deal with Kara? No problem," he said, aiming for lightness. 

We got back to my place and as I hung my bag up on the hook, I noticed my phone lighting up inside. I pulled it out, intending to silence it in order to rid my brain of all thoughts except Dylan and his waiting abs. 

I miss you more 

It was from Nick.