Chapter 31 NICK LOVES ME?

Chapter 31 NICK LOVES ME?
ZARA'S POV:
I didn’t look back. If I did, I might have broken. And I was tired of breaking because of him.

So, that night felt longer than it should have been. I kept checking my phone. No calls. No messages. The house was quiet as usual but every little sound made me think he was finally home. 

But he never came home. 

I lay awake staring at the ceiling while Enrique slept peacefully beside me. I brushed his hair away from his forehead and swallowed the lump in my throat. 

“You deserve better,” I whispered softly. 

I didn’t know if I was talking about his father or about myself. Maybe both.

Then, morning came and there was no sign that Lucas came back home last night. For the ninth time, he broke his promise.  

I was pouring coffee when my phone rang. It was Nick.

“Hey,” he said gently. “There’s a fair in the city today. I was thinking of taking Ken. I can pick you both up.”

I didn’t even think twice. I didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” I answered quickly. “We would love to go!” 

As I hung up, I glanced once at the front door. But it didn’t take long for me to hear the sound of Nick’s car outside. 

I hurried to open the gate, allowing him to enter. We planned to leave at seven, avoiding the heat and the crowds. 

“Aren’t you an early bird? We haven’t had breakfast yet,” I told him. 

“Don’t worry about breakfast. We can just eat outside,” he said. 

Fortunately, I already took a shower before coming down to the kitchen. Or else, it would be bothersome. 

“Ken will be here in a minute,” I informed him and as soon as my son came, I smiled at Nick. “Do you mind if I change my clothes first? I don’t think this is inappropriate for the fair,” I said. 

“Take your time, Zara. Ken and I will just wait for you,” he said while playing with my son’s hair. 

Oh, I noticed that of course. Who wouldn’t?

I quickly went upstairs to change my outfit for the fair. However, I stood in front of my closet longer than I should have. 

If Lucas was having a blast with his other woman then so be it. As I checked inside the closet, thinking what to wear, my hand stopped on the striped coords hanging at the side. It was backless and bold. Fortunately, it’s padded so I didn’t have to wear a bra.

After changing my clothes, I glanced at the mirror and gasped. Oh well, the shorts showed more leg than I usually allowed myself to. 

When I walked downstairs, Nick’s eyes widened for a second. Just for a second but I caught it. Then, he quickly cleared his throat and smiled politely. 

“You…look nice, Zara.” His tone was careful and respectful especially with Ken holding his hand. 

He could have said that I was gorgeous or pretty, but nice? I almost laughed at his choice of words because the way he looked at me told me otherwise. 

“Mommy, you look pretty!” Ken said proudly.

“Thank you, baby,” I smiled, brushing his hair back.

Nick looked away first. “It might be a little crowded at the fair,” he added gently. “You might want something more comfortable. Are you sure about that outfit?” 

So, he was just like my husband. Lucas didn’t want me to wear something that would attract attention, while openly flirting and dating with another woman. 

I was almost tempted to change into something like jeans or blouse but then I imagined running into Lucas. Or worse, someone who knew us like his secretary. 

“Do you want me to change this?” I asked while referring to my outfit of the day. 

“Never mind. You look gorgeous in that. Ready?” he asked. 

I nodded. 

We were about to get inside Nick’s car when my phone rang. I clenched my jaw before checking it. I thought it was Lucas…but it was Antoinette.

“Hi, Antoinette, what’s up girl?”

“Nick told me everything! You're going to the fair together? Are you really a couple? Just when I'm unavailable, you two decide to have fun! How could you do this to me, Zara!” Antoinette's loud outburst was painful to my ears, even though the volume was turned down.

“Please calm down. It's just a coincidence that it's a holiday today, and you're due this month. We can do it again after you give birth to your second child,” I told her.

“Fine! But you owe me one!” she exclaimed, but her tone suddenly changed. “Or maybe you two are secretly dating.”

“What's going on in your mind, Antoinette? Nick is our friend, so there’s no malice in this,” I said. 

“A friend? Zara, are you blind? That guy is so in love with you!” she told me.