Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 39

NICOLE

The whole week just flew by, and before I know it, it’s Saturday.

Meaning I have to go to Katie’s.

If she’d been anyone else who invited me, I would’ve called with an excuse, and I wouldn’t have gone anywhere. But I’m actually looking forward to seeing Katie. I love how I feel whenever I’m around her, and of course, I couldn’t turn her invitation down after everything she did for me.

How rude would that be?

I finish getting ready, then stare at my reflection in the mirror of the bathroom. I can’t see my outfit-just my face. It looks fine. I’ve applied plenty of makeup to hide the signs of my depression, and I’m trying to be as upbeat about this dinner as possible.

It’s only once I’m in the car, driving toward her house, that I ask myself what she said about the dinner. Did she mention more people would be there? For some reason, I can’t remember. So much went on that morning.

It was hard, keeping track of everything.

Upon arriving, I realize that I’m not the only one she invited. I see quite a few cars parked in front of her massive house, and nervousness rolls in the pit of my stomach.

I wasn’t emotionally prepared to face other people.

I thought it would be just the two of us.

Taking a few deep breaths, I park the car and grab the bottle of champagne I brought for the occasion. I then head to her front door and ring the doorbell. I’ve been here a few times before, but Ma was a frequent visitor.

Katie’s home is beautiful. There are flowers, trees, and shrubs everywhere, and in the backyard, there’s even a pond with fish and water lilies floating on the surface of the water.

Katie opens the door. Her short hair has been brushed back, and she’s wearing a long black tunic with pants of the same material. “Nicole! I’m so happy to see you. Thank you for coming!”

We embrace and she soothingly rubs my back. “How have you been?”

“Great,” I murmur. “The job’s going well. I’m finally starting to…get somewhere with this kind of mine.”

Katie rubs my arm and smiles. “I’m glad to hear that. We’ll talk later, alright? First, I’d like to introduce you to everyone. Though, I’m sure there’s someone here that you already know.”

At first, I panic as she escorts me toward her living room. I assume she’s referring to Mason, and I try to prepare myself to stare at my brother’s face for the first time in so many weeks, but I fail.

Katie was actually referring to Sebastian.

I sigh in relief when I realize Mason isn’t here. Sebastian meets my gaze and smiles a little. He’s dressed in dress pants and a crisp black shirt. The first few buttons are undone. In his hand is a glass of champagne.

I smile back at him, glad to see his face.

I didn’t know he’d be here. I don’t think I ever mentioned this dinner to him. Maybe then he would’ve told me that he was coming.

“Everyone, I’d like for you to meet Nicole Monroe. She’s my late best friend’s daughter, and she used to run the charity that kept me alive through the worst times of my life.”

Everyone nods politely. The only person who doesn’t is Sebastian’s mother. I recognize her from the office the other day. The way she looks at me makes me feel inadequate, so I look away, trying not to feel bothered by her open rudeness.

“Grab a seat. Dinner will start in a few,” Katie whispers before squeezing my arm and heading toward the kitchen. I sit on the only empty sofa, and everyone else returns to their conversations. Sebastian was standing behind his mother, but he starts toward me. I meet his gaze and watch as he makes his way toward me. When he sits down, he smiles. “Hi.”

She serves a delicious tiramisu that’s so creamy I could cry. It’s absolutely stunning, and I want a second helping, but I refrain from asking for one. I don’t think it would be too polite.

“Delicious, right?” Sebastian says to me. The light has come into his eyes again, and he’s starting to look like his normal self, even though that woman is still here. “I used to have this every Saturday.”

I genuinely envy him. “Do you have any idea how lucky you are? This is fabulous. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything more delicious!”

“How long will you stay?”

I look around the table. I’m the only one here who isn’t family, so I don’t know. I tell him, “Maybe not that long. I’ll have to see about that.”

“I hope you’ll stay longer,” he reveals in a low voice. “It would be great to have someone to talk to.”

“But these are your relatives,” I remark. I didn’t misunderstand him, did I?

“Yes, but…things are complicated. I’ll tell you about it when we have more privacy.”

I’m stunned by his proposal, but I’ll take it. Firstly, because I’m nosy, and secondly, because I think he’s a great guy and I would love to talk to him.

I finish my dessert, and then we rise from the table and scatter around. Sebastian and I head toward her garden and take a seat right next to the pool.