Out of My Element (Philadelphia Series) Read online

  “I asked you to come home with me.” It wasn’t a question.

  “You did,” I confirmed.

  He closed his eyes and ran his hands over his face. “You said yes.”

  “I did,” I confirmed again, watching as it all came back to him.

  “Fuck, and then I …” I raised my hand and cut him off. I didn’t want to hear him say it.

  “You did.” I nodded. “Goodnight, Nick.” I turned and started walking again.

  “Chelsea, please don’t be mad. Let me make it up to you.” He dropped his shoulders, clearly defeated.

  I took a deep breath and turned back around. The hurt and regret I saw on his face almost made my reserve completely crumble. “I'm not angry, I'm not sad, I'm not mad, I'm not even hurt anymore. You know what I am, Nick? I'm so disappointed that you are exactly who I knew you'd be. Why would I waste time giving you a second chance, when there are still plenty of nice guys out there waiting for a first?” This time when I walked away, he didn’t follow.

  I made it to the car and to tell the truth, I felt better. I knew I’d been harsh, but I had never been a doormat, and I hated that I allowed myself to feel that way for the past few weeks.

  I started the car as my phone rang. I answered it, smiling. “Hi, Ava.”

  “Okay, you want to tell me what the hell that was about back there?”

  “I’m sorry I ran out like that. It really was nothing.” I tried to sound nonchalant.

  “Well, then do you want to share why Nick threw his money on the table and ran out after you? Trevor and I are beginning to get a complex,” she laughed out.

  “I’m really sorry, Ava. Nick and I just had to clear the air about something.” I paused as I looked in my rear view mirror so I could pull out. “It’s over. No big deal, okay?”

  “Okay. Chelsea, you do know you can talk to me, right?” she asked. When I didn’t say anything, she just sighed. “Okay, we’ll see you tomorrow.” I had a feeling that wasn’t going to be the last of it.

  ***

  I was sitting at my desk when Trevor and Ava walked in. “Good morning.” I smiled as Trevor set a cup of coffee for me on my desk. He had been bringing me coffee since he started working here, and it was the perfect start to my day. Ava was lucky; she had found a real gem in Trevor.

  “Um, I was asked to give this to you.” Trevor looked a little worried as he handed me an envelope. “It’s from Nick,” he said when I looked at it.

  “Oh. Thanks.” I set it on the desk and started back to work, pausing only to take a sip of my coffee. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to open the letter or not. I felt I’d said everything I needed to last night. He apologized; it was over, no big deal. Right?

  “Okay. Um, see you later.” Trevor walked away. I was pretty sure he had no idea what was going on between Nick and me, and I felt ashamed that I’d brought him into it like this. Trevor and Ava were always so good to me; I hated that they were feeling uncomfortable.

  “I can feel you staring at me,” I laughed as I typed.

  “I’m sorry, I just am so lost trying to figure this out. I didn’t think you and Nick knew each other very well.” Ava leaned on my desk.

  “We don’t.” I stopped and looked up at her. “It was just a misunderstanding at the wedding. Really Ava, its fine.” I smiled, not wanting her to waste any more time on this. “Honestly,” I stressed.

  “Okay, but I think Nick is pretty upset about whatever happened. He was at our front door bright and early this morning with that letter. It was completely out of character for him.” She pointed at the envelope sitting on my desk.

  I didn’t know what else to say. Fortunately, Ava didn’t either; so she walked down the hall to her office, leaving me to over-think everything with Nick, from my first encounter to my last.

  Chapter 4

  Nick

  The never-ending pile of work on my desk seemed to be reproducing right before my eyes. At this rate, I wasn’t going to be out of here before eight tonight, and I had been hoping to meet up with the group at one of the clubs for a much-needed Friday night out.

  I pushed back from my desk, spinning my chair around so I could look out the window. My view consisted of another building and a portion of a fountain that sat out front, but at least I wasn’t stuck in a cubicle with temporary walls where everyone else up in my business every time they walked by.

  The day was overcast and dreary, shimmering in wetness, as a light drizzle fell on the city. The weather matched my mood—dull and gray. Ever since Chelsea left me standing on the sidewalk last night, I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I was a fucking dick. There was no two ways around it. I picked a piece of lint from the chair and absentmindedly rolled it between my fingers, as I watched the beads of water race down the window.

  I wasn’t sure why this was bothering me so much. I have had many drunken nights where my memory was a bit cloudy, but when I thought about Chelsea, I literally felt sick. Seriously, who does that? Who makes out with someone, invites them home and then forgets two minutes later and moves on to another woman? Sometimes the consequences of your actions slap you right in the face. Who the hell was I kidding … it wasn’t a slap, but a damn right hook.

  I wrote her a note. Fucking beautiful Nick, what are we in second grade now? I let a small laugh escape, thinking of Trevor’s face this morning, as I stood on his doorstep with an envelope, begging him to deliver it for me. I shook my head and swung back around. I sighed. Yep, those damn folders multiplied while my back was turned.

  ***

  I had barely planted my butt in the seat before the two couples swarmed me like vultures on a carcass. They must have been sitting here planning their attack before I arrived, because it was calculated and precise.

  “Enough is enough. You need to shed some light on the situation with Chelsea.” Trevor was serious, and I knew it was because he and Ava genuinely cared about Chelsea. It was obvious that there was an issue between us.

  I groaned. It was going to come out eventually; I needed to just lay it all out on the table, so to speak. Maybe they would have some advice on how to dig myself out of the hole I’d put myself in. “Fine. I fucked up … bad.” I looked at the faces of my friends. Yep, no shock there. Apparently they expected this kind of behavior from me.

  “I kissed Chelsea at the wedding. Actually it was more than just a kiss; I pretty much devoured her on the dance floor, and then I invited her home with me.”

  “Oh crap, Nick, please tell me you didn’t sleep with her.” Ava closed her eyes waiting for me to drop the ball.

  “Actually I didn’t.” She was so visibly relieved that I laughed, but I was about to squash that relief to hell. “I didn’t actually remember it all until last night when I caught wind of her hair. It was lavender and vanilla, I think,” I totally digressed, remembering the sweet smell.

  Tom cleared his throat. “Stay on task, Nick.” Spoken just like a teacher.

  “Well, the smell of her hair totally triggered the memory of what happened during my drunken state that night at the wedding. I made out with her, invited her home with me and then somehow took another woman home instead,” I blurted out, tired of keeping them in suspense.

  “Wow, Nick. I’ve met quite a few pricks in my lifetime, but you my friend, are the freaking cactus.” Talia shook her head at me. “Apparently your douche-baggery levels are at an all time high this week.”

  “Take it easy on your high horse, Talia … I’m pretty sure you don’t even know how to ride.” I glared at her. She and I had a love/hate relationship. She called me out on my shit, and I usually deserved it, but I was beating myself up enough about this, and I didn’t need it from her tonight.

  “So what happened last night when you left the restaurant? Did you talk to her?” Trevor asked.

  “Yeah, but the situation is so screwed up that I’m not sure I can even fix it. In fact, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t ever want to speak to me again.” I shrugged.

  “Why d
id you do it, Nick? I don’t mean any harm, but she isn’t your type at all,” Ava asked as she took a drink, waiting for my answer.

  She was right. Chelsea wasn’t typically my type, but hell if I couldn’t get her gorgeous red hair, pale skin and pouty lips out of my mind now. “I was drunk, Ava. You know me; I do stupid things when I’m drunk.” That didn’t come out quite right. I groaned, “Listen, I don’t regret kissing her, really I don’t. It was phenomenal actually, but I do regret that I hurt her, and now I can’t stop thinking about her. I need help; I need to make this right.” I pleaded as I watched their faces soften—even Talia’s.

  “Ask her out on a date.” Tom suggested.

  “A date?” Holy hell, I can’t remember taking anyone on a date in years. I didn’t date, I just hooked up, and I didn’t lead women on. They were all well aware of my intentions before anything happened. Well, usually anyway.

  A date? Did I want to do that? Yeah. Yeah, I think I did. “Okay, but how do I do that?” I was serious, and even though Trevor and Tom didn’t bat an eye at that question, Ava and Talia’s eyes went wide.

  “You can’t be serious, Nick. You haven’t taken anyone out on a date?” Talia was still staring at me in shock.

  “No, actually I haven’t. Not since Prom, and even then, she asked me.” I confessed.

  “Give me your phone.” Ava held out her hand.

  I watched as she tapped on my phone before handing it back to me. She had sent a text to Chelsea.

  Me: No more apologies. I’m an ass. Please let me start over and take you to dinner?

  I sat there, staring at my phone, willing it to alert me of a text. It had been the longest two minutes of my life before she finally responded.

  Chelsea: Okay.

  “Shit! She said okay. What now?” I was panicked. This was unchartered territory for me.

  “Christ, Nick! Are you seriously the same guy that told me to man up a couple of months ago? Do puppies and kittens scare you, too?” Tom chuckled, not intimidated in the slightest by my glare.

  “Tell her you’ll pick her up at seven tomorrow.” Talia nodded her head at me as I replied to Chelsea. “Jeez, Nick, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this unsure of yourself.”

  I looked up from my phone. “Okay, it’s all set. Now what?” I grinned at the four faces staring back at me.

  I couldn’t mess this up. I was pretty sure this was the only chance she would give me.

  Chapter 5

  Chelsea

  What the heck was I doing? I paced back and forth in my living room, wearing a visible path in my freshly vacuumed carpet. I couldn’t believe I agreed to this.

  After I got home last night, I finally allowed myself to open the letter that Nick sent to the office with Trevor. I’m not sure what I expected, but when I opened the envelope it simply read:

  I’m sorry.

  Please forgive me.

  Nick

  555-410-5435

  He was crazy if he thought I was going to call him. I was fully prepared to toss it in the trash, but at just that moment I received his text message. No doubt he had gotten my number from Ava or Trevor, and I guess it didn’t truly matter how he’d gotten it anyway. Before I could think too much about it, I replied with a simple “Okay.” Now I was nervously pacing as I waited for him to show up.

  I was not going into this with false hopes to pick up where we’d left off , but I was also never the type of person to hold a grudge. I would have dinner with him and let him clear his conscious so we could both move past this. After all, we had the same friends, and they didn’t need to feel awkward about what had happened, too.

  I jumped when the doorbell rang. I took a deep breath as I walked to the door and prepared myself to see Nick again, face to face. I swung the door open and—well shit—I was so not prepared.

  “Are you ready?” He looked downright smoking in his dark jeans and white button-down shirt. It was open a couple buttons at the top, drawing attention to his gorgeous neck. His shirt was fitted just enough to accentuate his solid body underneath. His brown hair was styled in a short faux hawk—much like David Beckham—making him look slightly dangerous and oh so yummy!

  “Chelsea, it’s going to be a really long night if you’re not going to talk to me.” His low voice brought me back from my lustful scrutiny.

  “Shit, ah … sorry. You look nice.” I turned to grab my purse, knowing my cheeks were most likely the same shade as my red hair right about now. That’s right Chelsea; acting like a blubbering fool will certainly convince him that you aren’t interested, I chastised myself.

  “So, where are we going?” I locked the door and fell into step beside him.

  “Do you like Asian food?” he asked, hopeful.

  “Absolutely!” It was actually one of my favorites.

  “How about Buddakan?” I stopped and looked at him with my hands on my hips. He started to laugh. “Ava told me it was your favorite.” He winked. “Oh, and Chelsea, you look nice, too.” Okay, he was pretty close to being forgiven.

  ***

  The restaurant was one of my favorites because the food was delicious, but the entire experience was always just as spectacular. The décor was fabulous, from the shimmering waterfall and Japanese river stones as you walked in, to the larger than life Buddha in the center. The candles gave the restaurant a perfect ambiance. It was almost like having a religious experience every time I came here.

  We were seated at one of the booths in the back. The tall, white booth surrounded the small round table. Nick and I slid in from each side, meeting almost in the middle of the semi-circle.

  “What would you like to drink?” Nick asked as the waiter approached the table.

  “I think I’ll have a beer,” I said as I looked down at the menu. When Nick didn’t say anything in response, I looked up to find him just staring at me.

  “What?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.

  He shook his head. “I just didn’t picture you as a beer drinker.”

  “What did you expect me to order?” I raised my eyebrows.

  “I don’t know, maybe one of those pink girly drinks.” He chuckled.

  We ordered our drinks and food. My heart was beating erratically. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this evening.

  “Hey, Chelsea, I need to apologize to you,” Nick stammered.

  “Seriously, Nick, it was not a big deal. I mean, we both had too much to drink, and it’s not like anything really happened.” Like making one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I took a drink of my beer and tried my best to squash the memories of that kiss we shared. That heart racing, toe curling, downright incredible kiss.

  Nick nodded. “Okay, then let’s start over.” His grin was infectious.

  “Perfect.” I smiled.

  We spent the rest of the evening talking. The conversation flowed without a moment of uncomfortable silence, and I was pleasantly surprised to find Nick to be such a passionate guy, especially when it came to soccer. It was almost like a kid on Christmas morning when he talked about it.

  “I would love to watch you play sometime.” I sat back and smiled at his excitement.

  “Really?” He grinned like a little boy. It was truly endearing.

  “Yeah. I can tell it means a lot to you. I get it. That’s how I feel about running.”

  “You’re a runner?” he asked with interest.

  “I’m training for my first half-marathon this year, and next year I plan to do my first full marathon.” I nodded.

  “That’s amazing! When do you run?”

  “Usually before work, but if the weather is bad, I just run on the treadmill. To be honest, I hate it. There’s just something about being outside.” It felt so good to talk to someone who was passionate about athletics. I was more and more impressed with Nick as the night went on. He was someone with whom I could see myself being good friends.

  “Do you ever run with someone else?” he asked as he slipped his credit card into the ch
eck before I could offer to pay my half.

  I shrugged. “Not really.”

  He frowned. “Too bad.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to; I guess no one has ever asked to run with me.” I smiled gently at him and was relieved to see his smile again.

  “I would love to run with you if you’d like some company. I usually can’t go more than five miles at once, but if you’d be willing to be slowed down a bit ...” He grinned, and I laughed.

  “Sure. Do you want to meet me down at the Schuylkill River Trail around five on Monday morning?” I was about to see how serious he was by asking him to meet me so early.

  “Five. Okay.” He signed the credit card slip, tucked it back into the check folder and stood up.

  “Ready?” He held out his hand and helped me up.

  “Thanks for dinner.” I smiled, trying to hide my disappointment in ending the evening so soon.

  “I figure I’d better get home and get some rest tonight and tomorrow night if I’m going to be able to keep up with you on Monday.” He winked.

  “So you’re really going running with me?” I tried to hide my surprise.

  “Unless you changed your mind.” He stopped and looked at me.

  “No, I guess I didn’t think you were really serious. It is pretty early you know?” I challenged.

  “I’ll be there.” He squeezed my arm before opening the car door for me.

  The drive was short and quiet. Nick walked me to my door and pulled me into a hug so quickly that I gasped. “Thank you for going out with me tonight. I had a really great time, and I’m glad you gave me a chance to show you that I’m not always such an asshole.”

  I pulled back, laughing.

  “Why are you laughing?” He smiled.

  “I was just thinking about the astronomical amount of money you probably spend taking women out to apologize for being a jerk.”

  Nick raised his eyebrows and smiled a half smile that brought out the dimple on his right cheek. “Well, I think you would be surprised at how little I actually spend doing that.”