Strings Attached by Holly Stratimore

Author:Holly Stratimore [Stratimore, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635553482
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2018-12-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

“You can invite Nikki, too. If you’d like.”

Drew smiled at her dad’s suggestion, then caught herself. Joining them for Thanksgiving dinner would be considered more of a steady girlfriend kind of thing, wouldn’t it? Not exactly casual dating territory.

As tempting as it was, she didn’t want to give Nikki the wrong impression. “That’s sweet of you, Dad, but I’m sure Nikki already has plans with her own family.” She walked away to assist a customer looking at bass guitars. She turned toward the door when the bells chimed again. Nikki.

Her dad gave her a wink and smiled. “Speak of the devil.”

“Hey, I don’t know what she’s told you, but Drew threw her share of snowballs.”

“Then I taught her well.” He hustled over to Drew. “Why don’t you see what Nikki needs, and I’ll look after our bass player.” He walked away before she could object.

Nikki handed her a manila envelope. “I finished my homework.”

Drew slid out the photos. “That was fast.”

“I lucked out that everyone was home except for Jaymi. And she showed up before I left, so there you go.”

“And if she hadn’t been home?”

“Jaymi isn’t hard to find if you know where to look, so I still would’ve had these to you today.”

She filed the photos with the others behind the register, buying time with the awkward feeling she always got when Nikki talked about Jaymi.

“I practiced my lesson this morning, too.”

“Oh. Good for you.”

“I’m getting better with positioning my bow.” She smiled wider. “Thanks for the extra help with that, by the way.”

“Just doing my job.”

Nikki pouted. “You mean that wasn’t special treatment?”

Once again, she fought to keep her feelings in check. “I believe it was you administering the special treatment, not me.” Sure. Flirt back.

“I can’t wait for my next lesson.” Nikki shoved her hands in her coat pockets. “Well, then. I don’t want to keep you from your work. I need to call my mother to see what time I have to show my mug for dinner next week, so I best be going.”

So, she does have plans with her family. Good. That will help cool things down between us. And she didn’t invite me, either, so she’s respecting my wishes. Even better.

Nikki walked to the door and blew her a kiss. “Cheerio.”

Drew barely had, “See you later,” out of her mouth, and Nikki was gone. What the hell? She should be glad, right?

So why was she so irked that she’d only gotten to spend ten minutes with Nikki before she rushed off? Why was she disappointed that she didn’t even have the option to invite her to Thanksgiving dinner now?

Because maybe she wanted more than casual after all.

Damn it. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Now what? No, don’t go there. Let there be a little distance between us, and the feelings will fade. They’d only grow if they were reciprocated anyway, right? Right. Okay, then. Get back to work, and forget about Nikki for a while. They’d made no plans to get together again before her lesson next Monday.

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