Chapter 29 This Seems Like A Bad Idea
Corran
I am nervous. No, nervous doesn’t cover it. I am in completely freak-out mode, pacing my apartment. I need to leave in ten minutes to pick April up. Well, not pick her up since she stays down the hall, but I need to go knock on her door. My stomach is in knots, and my heart is racing wildly. I am considering just cancelling the entire thing. I shouldn’t be this freaked out. This date isn’t even real. I stop and take a few deep breaths. Closing my eyes, I try to calm myself down. It is only dinner and drinks. It isn’t real. April is helping me out, which I appreciate.
I pull it together and grab my things before I exit my place and stroll down the hall to April’s. With another deep breath, I knock on the door, hoping April hasn’t changed her mind and will ignore me. The thought makes my nerves come back. I tap my fingers on the side of my legs, waiting. I relax when the door opens a moment later.
The second that April comes into view, my breath catches in my throat. Her hair is down and curly, her make-up is light and beautiful, and a red mid-length strappy dress covers her body, showing off her figure. It is cute and classy. She looks stunning in it.
“Hey,” she greets brightly.
I don’t answer straight away because my eyes are too busy taking in the view. The knots in my stomach have turned to butterflies. I am in complete awe of her. April giggles, and I finally snap out of it and glance up at her, meeting her eye.
“Um, hello, are you ready to go?” I ask, rubbing the back of my neck. God, could I make myself look more of a fool?
“Yes.”
She comes out of her place.
“Where is your coat? You are in Scotland now, you are going to be freezing.”
“I will be fine.”
I cross my arms over my chest and raise my brow at her. “April, you need something.”
With a roll of her eyes, she heads back in and comes back out with a coat over her. “Better, boss?”
“Yes, we don’t want you getting sick again. Do you want to walk or get a taxi?”
“Walking is fine.” She smiles.
“Are you sure in those heels?” They seem a little high.
“I will manage.” She smiles.
I nod and rest my hand on the small of her back. April shudders beneath my touch. I fight back a smirk at her reaction. We head outside into the coldness of the night. You get used to it after staying in Scotland for your entire life.
“Thank you for doing this. I owe you, big time.” I say.
April smiles and shakes her head. “You don’t owe me anything, Corran. You have been a huge help to me since I arrived. This is the least I can do.”
“This is a big thing for you to do, compared to what I have helped you with. I am greatful. I really am.”
“I know you are.”
We walk the short distance to the restaurant. The closer we get, the more nervous I become. I am not ready for this. I hope we can pull it off because it is the only way everyone will get off my back.
April stops us outside of the restaurant, and my first thought is that she has changed her mind. April turns to me.
“You seem tense. Relax. It will be fine. We can pull this off.”
I relax knowing she isn’t going to leave and let me go inside alone. “I know, I am sorry. I can’t help it.”
She places her hands on my arm and looks me straight in the eye. “Everything is going to be okay,” April says, each word with confidence. She is more confident about this than I am.
I nod. “Okay. I can do this.”
I take a few deep breaths. April offers her hand to me. I am hesitant, but she raises her brow at me, laughing. I take it, and she links our fingers, leading us inside. I glance around for my friend, Maddox and his fiancée, Ashley, whom I have never met. I spot them.
“They are over there.”
April puts her best smile on, keeps a tight hold of my hand and guides us straight towards their table like it is nothing. How can she be so calm?
“Hey, stranger.” I greet.
Maddox glances up and smiles brightly, standing to hug me. “Corran, it has been too long. It is so good to see you.”
“Thank you, you too. Yes, it has been too long.” I reply and hug him with one arm, keeping a tight hold on April’s hand.
We part after a moment, and he turns his attention to April.
“Hello, Maddox. I am April. It is nice to meet you,” she grins, offering her hand to him.
He takes it, shaking it. “Thanks, you too.” He smiles.
Once they have said their hello’s, Maddox introduces us to Ashley too. We greet her too before taking a seat at the table. I am still nervous, but doing a great job of hiding it. We ordered some drinks for the table.
“When was the last time you two saw each other?” April asks.
“Nearly two years,” I reply
Maddox sighs. “I am sorry I left when I did, Corran. I should have stayed around longer.”
“It is okay. You were there when I needed you. Plus, it didn’t take long for me to keep everyone at arm’s length. You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I still feel guilty about leaving when I did. I assume you know about Edin?” Maddox asks, looking at April.
“I do. I know how it feels. I lost my husband in a car accident four years ago.”
“I am sorry you lost someone too, and so unexpectedly.”
“Thank you. It wasn’t easy, but sadly, we need to move on with life the best we can without them. It is why Corran and I bonded; we both know what it feels like.” April replies and squeezes my knee under the table.
I nod and smile over at her. “Yes, we understand one another.”
“It sounds like you both need one another more than you realised,” Ashley says softly.
We nod again, and I change the subject. I don’t want to spend the night discussing our losses. They seem fine with the change of subject. I am sure it will be brought up again, but for now, I would rather talk about something else.