Wait, how does Nate know her name? Are Raph and him friends of some sort? Or is it only because he goes to the precinct to treat some of them that they met?
“We’re meeting friends, so no bailing for us,” Nate says, pulling my stool close to his so we’re flushed against each other.
I tense when I’m surrounded by his perfume and warmth before I can even think to stop breathing.What’s wrong with me?
“So, Nate,” Raph says sternly, and I can’t help but lean a little more against him. “I didn’t know you and Prue… Knew each other.”
I feel Meredith’s gaze burning a hole on my cheek and I fight the urge to flinch.
But then, Nate’s hand slips over mine, interlacing our fingers, and I snap my head towards his in surprise, forgetting all about the people surrounding us.
His eyes are boring into mine and his smile is warm. My stool is so close to his that I’m nearly on his lap, and my heart is just a few beats away from bursting out of my chest. What’s shining in his gaze is obviously mischief from duping everyone here. My skin is burning from everywhere our clothes and skin touch. Our legs, hips, arms, and hands.
“We met in college,” he says, not breaking eye contact with me, a smile on his lips. “Lost touch for about nine years and found each other again a few weeks ago.”
All true. I hadn’t met him before I started college myself during his fourth year, even though Jack was talking about him a lot. Then Jack freaked out in May, just a week before they both finished their last year, and hedisappeared until we arrived here.
“Nice story,” Matthew says in a kind voice, but I don’t turn, still enraptured in Nate’s gaze. Why won’t he look away? He’s talking to them. Why is he staring at me? “I met my wife in college too. You remember Daze? I was like a lovesick puppy, following her around and she didn’t notice me for ages,” he laughs.
“And are you guys dating?” Raph asks, ignoring his friend.
Nate finally breaks our connection to stare at him, and I feel like my lungs can finally welcome air again. His thumb is rubbing circles on the side of my hand. Why does this appease me?
“If you’re asking whether or not you’re going to see me hanging around the precinct more outside of consultations, the answer is yes.”
I turn my face, and catch Raph glaring at Nate, his eyes darting between him and me. Meredith looks a little less tense next to him, but is still studying us with watchful eyes.
“That wasn’t really the question, Reed,” he says, cocking a brow.
Nate frowns slightly, but gives him a cocky grin. “Why do you ask, Detective Ortega?”
He flinches. It’s subtle but I see it. And Meredith probably noticed it too, as she crosses her arms and turns her focus to him.
“I’m glad to see you back with the crew, Meredith,” Nate adds before Raph has the time to explain anything, but his tone couldn’t be flatter. “No matter how… Ugly, things got.”
Ugly? Raph said he was divorced, but never told me why and how it happened. If she’s a lawyer, things probably got bad for him when it was settled.
“We’ve worked things out,” Raph says quickly, giving Meredith’s hand a squeeze. “And I’m only asking because she works with us now, and we like to know our people,” he shrugs, but it looks forced.
Nate nods slowly, still glaring at him.
Alright, I’m sensing obvious tension here.I’ll have to ask what the hell happened between them for their interaction to be so… Hostile. However, Nate’s still not answering the question, and I’m wondering if he’s avoiding talking for me, like I asked him to. But their staring contest is obviously making everyone uncomfortable. Me included.
Fuck it.
“We’re dating, yes,” I finally say, fidgeting on my stool. “It’s new, so we’re trying not to advertise it too much outside of our close circle. I’d appreciate it if we don’t talk about it anymore.”
I’m avoiding Raph’s gaze, focusing instead on Matthew and his wife’s kind smile, returning one of my own. The others are all too happy to ignore our weird exchange and talk between themselves.
“Ignore Raphael,” she says, taking a step closer to us, handing her hand to shake. “He’s obviously lost his manners during his rough year, but he means well. I’m Daisy, Matthew’s wife,” she says, and I shake her hand with my free one. “And that’s Meredith. Raphael’s… Hum, girlfriend. We’d love you to join us for lunch sometime.”
Not happening. “Sure, maybe in a couple of weeks, when I’m more settled.”Or never.
She seems nice. But I’d rather not be stuck with Meredith, even for an hour. This weird exchange is enough for me, even though she didn’t say a word.
“Hey guys, sorry for the wait,” the barman says, stopping at our level, and I could kiss him for saving us. “What can I get you?”
I release a deep sigh as we both turn on our stools. Finally, we can get our drinks, and join the others to escape this awkward encounter.
