Chapter 10

Dawson

After a long day of calls,I was practically butter in the shower. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous.

It wasn't like I'd never been on a date, and I certainly knew how to show a guy a good time. Yet, I found myself distracted now that I was done for the day and the hours were dwindling closer until I'd have to pick up Nolan and whisk him away to reap the reward of his winnings.

Hey…

I almost couldn't believe the text that had come through from Nolan—who I affectionately had listed in my phone as Fucking Asshole—and I did a double take.

Nolan never texted me. If he needed to reach me about anything, he usually called, albeit most of those calls where always when I was in the middle of something, so this was new.

Heyyyyy, I texted back if only to be an asshole myself and be sarcastic. Where's the fire? I asked cheekily.

There is no fire.

I rolled my eyes, clearly Fucking Asshole's sense of humor was hit or miss.

I know that, asshole. You just never text me, so I assumed something was of dire importance.

I watched as those three little bubbles appeared on the screen, imagining Nolan tapping away furiously.

Right, of course, I just wanted to let you know I followed up on your brother's claim.

I leaned against the fire truck as I read his message.

You couldn't just call to tell me that? I asked.

I'm not in the office today. Verizon is still working on the lines.

A part of me knew I should keep things professional. After all, we worked together and I didn't want things to get weird, especially since as far as work was concerned. Nolan was helping me out and we were somewhat getting along. The last thing I needed was to piss him off when he was the one overseeing my brother's claim.

But hell if I wasn't a glutton for punishment and bad decisions, and maybe I needed something to take the edge off of my uncharacteristic nerves regarding our date tonight.

It's not a date.

Not really...

I'd told myself that over and over since the day prior, when I'd told Nolan I was a man of my word. It wasn't a date.

But it didn't feel like a business meeting either.

Instead of falling down that rabbit hole, I decided to push thoughts of our date–not date out of my mind.

And antagonize Nerdy Nolan a bit, if only because I considered it one of my favorite hobbies.

So what you're telling me is you're home... alone. Working.

I watched the text bubbles dance in wait of his reply.

I am, I thought we established this...he texted. I could hear the exasperation in his tiny little digital letters on the screen as text bubbles popped up again.

I just wanted to let you know everything was processed. I'll keep an eye on this claim, and let you know if anything comes up.

Suddenly, I felt like an ass. I let out a sigh as I realized he was probably just trying to help, and I'd been an asshole taking advantage of the situation to what?

Flirt?

Make him all flustered?

Like some insensitive idiot.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Really.

It seemed forever until he'd texted me back.

Work's been a little crazy as of late, but you made it pretty clear this is important to you, so it's important to me too.

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. I knew Nolan was being professional, despite my attempts to make things unprofessional by flirting, but a part of me also wanted to hope that maybe there was more to his words.

I wasn't the kind of guy to ask for help with anything. I was the guy who always swooped in and rescued other people. But the idea that someone would back me up, support the things that were important me because it's who they were or what was right, was something I was lacking in my life.

Before I could respond, those little bubbles started to come up again.

I knew I should just let it go, thank him, and be done with shit. But the weird hope that had somehow blossomed in my chest and my ever-present need to take something serious and make it less serious won out.

You know what else is important to me, Nolan?

The bubbles disappeared.

After a moment of no response, I thought perhaps he'd ended the conversation, or that he'd gone off to do something else, leaving me hanging on the edge.

Rude.

But soon enough a ? came through.

A strange sense of relief flooded me.

He's still there...I thought.

Your apartment number.

Truth be told, I kind of already knew since he was one floor below me, and I had access to such knowledge because I'd been on enough cases at the Towers that finding his apartment wasn't all that difficult, but it felt sort of like an overreach if I just showed up at his door unannounced. While I saw something like that as romantic and fun, someone shy and quiet like Nolan might feel like their privacy was violated.

Boundaries and all.

So I figured now would be as good as a time as ever to ask.

Why do you need to know my apartment number? I can just meet you wherever...

A part of me wondered if Nolan regretted agreeing to this dinner. He seemed a bit skittish, or nervous even.

But I wasn't letting him off the hook. If all I had was this one chance to put this all to rest, put Nolan out of my mind entirely, I needed to see this through.

Besides who doesn't want to go to a fancy restaurant with a hot guy and enjoy themselves for a night?

I typed out my reply quickly. Well, if you lived in a house, I'd ride up in my trusty steed and pick you up from your doorstep like a true gentlemen.

Nolan quickly responded. Somehow, I have a hard time believing you are a gentleman in any facet of life.

My smile spread as excitement took hold.

That little fucker!

I tapped out the words in rapid pace. I can be whoever you want me to be, baby. As long as you're dressed in something nice and ready for me to pick you up at your door at six 'o clock. No takebacks.

I hit send, then immediately sent another text after I realized how desperate I sounded.

Was I really this desperate?

Yes, yes I was.

Desperate for something different, for a chance to forget about my boring life, about my brother's claim, which apparently was ‘being handled' by Nolan now, about the fact that I hadn't had a successful relationship with someone other than my hand in at least two years.

Unless all you have is twelve pairs of white shirts and khakis, which then I might have to call 911 and report a fashion emergency.

A smirk played at my lips, a chuckle forming in my throat.

Nolan took my bait. Hook, line, and sinker.

I loved how easy it was to ruffle his feathers. It was entertaining as hell.

I will have you know, I own far more than just white shirts and khakis! I can look nice if I want to. I can look even nicer if you tell me where we are going.

I shook my head, typing back, Not a chance, champ. Just be ready for me. Six o'clock. I'll pick you up and we'll head there in my truck. No sense in us taking us two cars anyway, since we are both going back to the same place.

That was the moment Gina called me from across the room, nipping at me to get off my phone and get my ass in the house to help Frank, our newest rookie with something.

Gotta go. I'll see you tonight.