She nodded slowly and bounced her eyes around my face. “It’s Nakyra, right?”
I raised a brow and she chuckled. “You think I didn’t notice the evil eye she was shooting me during our meeting. I appreciate her keeping things professional but it’s clear there’ssomething between you two. I just hate that I’m about to lose a client now.” Her head shook.
A smirk split my face. “You be easy, Dee. It was fun.” I went to leave.
“You too… and Cree—” she called out just as I reached for her front door. “If things don’t work out, you have my number.”
Laughing under my breath, I opened the door and stepped into the cool air.
____
“What are we doing here?” Nakyra asked. I turned my truck off and turned to face her.
“Since you’re feeling better, I thought you could use a pick me up and get out of the house.” Nakyra had been in her feelings since receiving the news about her ear. That was three days ago.
“You mentioned before you wanted to do a paint and sip right?” If there was anything I’d learned, it was that she wasn’t hard to please. So I found something I knew she would enjoy and got us tickets.
She squinted at me and turned to look at the building. We were on The Shore, at this wine shop. The store offered a variety of different wines, coffees, and food. They often held different craft nights people could sign up for, along with wine tastings, and could be rented out for private events. Tonight they were hosting a couples’ paint and sip night. As soon as I saw the tickets, I didn’t hesitate to purchase.
“I’ve only been to this place a couple times since it opened. I can’t believe you did this.” She undid her seat belt and leaned over the center console to hug me tightly.
Grinning, I hugged her back. “It was no problem. Just wanted to make you smile.”
Nakyra pulled back, smiling at me. “This is one way to do it.”
“And your ear isn’t bothering you, is it?”
She shook her head. “I’m good. Promise.”
“Then let’s go.” I released her, grabbed my phone out the cupholder, then opened the door and walked to her side to open hers.
She grabbed my open hands and I locked the doors behind her before we headed toward the building. I heard the light splashing of the waves from the beach where we were. I pulled Nakyra into me and tucked her into my side. It was a tad bit cooler close to the water.
“It’s about time y’all showed up!” Camilla complained when we stepped in the building.
“What are you two doing here?” Nakyra asked, pulling away from me and bouncing her eyes between Camilla and Dylan.
“Camilla was concerned about you and when I mentioned to Dylan I was bringing you here, she invited herself.” I wasn’t sure if the two had made up, but they must have been on better terms if Dylan agreed to come tonight.
Camilla rolled her eyes. “It’s called a double date.” She pulled away from Dylan and stepped toward us, looping her arm through Nakyra’s arm. “You had me worried, girl. You okay?” She walked away, taking Nakyra with her. They headed in the direction of the counter where you could order food and drinks.
“Did your girlfriend just steal my date?” I asked.
Dylan shook his head. “I’m just here so I don’t have to hear her mouth later.”
“Trouble in paradise still?” We started toward the girls.
“Nah.” He ran his hand down his mouth. “We just need to reconnect. This been a tough year for us and I feel like we lost us.”
“Hurry up so you two can pay!” Camilla called out.
The corners of Dylan’s mouth lifted. “I’d be a fool to lose her, no matter how crazy she drives me.”
When we got to the counter I pulled my wallet out of my coat pocket. “I got this round.” I pulled my card out.
“You guys don’t want any wine?” Nakyra asked.
“I’m not a wine drinker,” Dylan said.
