Borrowed (Embracing Series) (7 page)

Brody and I are at this pizza joint that is our favorite restaurant. I see these two girls walk in, one has blonde hair and the bluest eyes I have ever seen. The other one looks more like Brody’s type. I winked at the blonde when she looked over. I couldn’t even focus on the conversation Brody had started with me. I was just nibbling at my pizza.

I noticed the girls were laughing and talking, I knew they had to be freshman. I noticed they were clearing their plates, I motioned the waiter over and told him I would like to pay their tab. I asked the waiter to tell them I took care of their check.

I see the blonde look over and smile, so I asked Brody to walk over with me. I had no clue but for some reason I was nervous. I could feel my palms sweating. We approach the table and I can see her eyes more clearly, they are a baby blue, I hoped they weren’t contacts. She smiled and had the cutest dimples.

“Hi, I’m Evan Martin and this is my buddy Brody Lewis. Are you ladies new to the area?”

The brunette spoke first and said her name was Nikki and her friend was Lila Carls. Lila was very beautiful.

“You ladies want to join us at a party tonight?” I asked as they both looked at each other then said yes.

We said our goodbyes, and Brody and I went home to get ready. I could hear them talking as we walked out the door, Nikki told Lila that Brody was cute and she giggled and said so is Evan. I was glad she thought I was cute, she is going to be my woman soon, and I have a feeling she is going to break my heart.

I went back to the loft and took a shower, gave myself a fresh shave and changed clothes. I put on a navy blue Henley and a pair of tight jeans, and my new cowboy boots. I sprayed some of my favorite cologne “Black” all over my body. There was still several hours left until the party. I was praying Alyssa didn’t pull any shit, I was sure she was going to be there. She seemed to be everywhere I was.

“Brody, dude come on! I want to get there before Lila does.”

I yelled to Brody, he was still getting dressed. And he made fun of me, he is slower than a ninety year old woman. He finally made his way out of the bedroom. He laughed and said, “Dude, calm the fuck down. She will be there when you get there. I know her friend was feeling me for sure.”

I just cocked my head and laughed at my friend. He thought he was God’s gift to women. Now me on the other hand, I knew I was. We drove separate cars just in case one of us wanted to leave early. I pull in and park in the parking lot across the street. Brody and I walk in together. I spotted Lila and Nikki right away.

“Hey there darlin’, you look beautiful.” I said to Lila as I gave her a hug. I noticed she had a strange look on her face. I hope she isn’t involved with anyone. I placed my hand in the small of her back and led her through the other door. We started talking about school and family and friends. I noticed I didn’t see Brody or Nikki anywhere. Lila looked a little worried, so I told her I would take her home.

I walked Lila to the car, I opened her door. As the night air breezed by I could smell her perfume, not sure what type it was but I had never smelled anything as good as her. She gave me directions to her townhome.

It looked huge from the outside. I offered to walk in with her she said it was okay. She gave me her number and said I could call her in the morning. All the way home she is all I could think about. Brody still wasn’t home when I got there. I was tired next thing I knew it was morning.

Me: Hey pretty lady, would you like to grab brunch and site see with me?

Lila: Hey you, of course. Pick me up in an hour?

Me: I will be there… Can I bring you a coffee?

Lila: Thanks, but Nikki already did. ;)

Me: Okay, see you soon!

When I picked Lila, up she looked as pretty as she did last night. I wanted to take her to Central Park but first we headed to the café. The waitress approached us and we placed our order. I ordered my regular cowboy omelet and home fries. She ordered scrambled eggs and bacon, and toast with apple butter.

“Lila, if you like apple butter, you should taste the kind my gran makes. It’s the best. My grandparents live on a farm in Alabama.”

She had the sweetest look on her face and said, “That would be great, next time you go bring me some back.”

We left the café and went to Central Park, the trees in the park were beautiful this time of year. I told Lila about my family and Utah. She grew up in California, I knew she sounded like a valley girl. She told me about her family and friends, still no mention of a boyfriend.

Her blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. I think this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship and hopefully more. It was getting a little late, so I took Lila back home. I wasn’t ready for our day to end.

I walked her to the door and as she opened it she, hurried up and closed it back and busted into laughter. She was laughing so hard I couldn’t understand what she was saying.

“Lila, what is so funny darlin’?” I asked, she turned to me and covered her mouth and still laughed. She placed her hand on my arm and walked off the steps.

“Evan, I just seen Brody’s bare ass.” She whisper yells.

“Well, that’s not a pretty sight! Let’s grab dinner and a movie.” I said as we walked back to my car. We went to the Chipotle around the corner and then went to see the latest action movie, I was surprised she wanted to watch it. Most chicks would have went for the drama, not Lila though.

I took, her home and hoped she would let me take her out again.

“Lila, I will be singing at a little bar a few miles away, I would love it if you came to watch.” I said to her, before walking her to her door. I wanted to hug her so bad, but I didn’t want to over step any boundaries.

“Sure, I would love to hear you sing.” Lila said, just as she started to turn the door knob I, I grabbed her hips and pulled her in for a hug. She didn’t hesitate she hugged me right back, as I let go her hair brushed across my face. I could smell her perfume it gave me goose bumps it smelled so good.

“I will call you tomorrow, darlin’.” I said as I walked away.

I was singing at Zeb’s tonight. I was nervous as hell. Only because I knew Lila would be there. I started getting ready I wanted to look my best. I wore a pair of jeans with a grey and black button down shirt. Of course I wore a black cowboy hat and my favorite boots.

“Hey man, you seem so nervous tonight.” Said Brody as he walked up and gave me a fist bump. Fuck, even my palms was sweating.

“Dude, I’m nervous! Lila will be here any minute and I don’t want to look like a fucking moron. What if she doesn’t like my singing voice, or the way I play my guitar? I don’t want to scare her away.” I walked out on the stage and looked around, but I didn’t see or anywhere.

I sat on the stool and took my pick out of my shirt pocket. I propped my legs up on my stool and looked out into the crowd. Once our eyes connected I could feel my heart drop. That spark in those beautiful baby blues, she smiled and her dimples gave me the fucking chills. I gave her a wink. I knew I had the biggest smile on my face.

“How y’all doing tonight? I’m Evan and I’m a law student at NYU, I know some of you already know me from singing here weekly. This song is dedicated to a new friend. We have only known each other a few days. But she is a great person.”

I started singing the lyrics of “Find Yourself” by Brad Paisley. As I sang I looked out in the crowd, Lila had never taken her eyes off of me. I noticed a slight tear roll down her face, I hope she wasn’t sad. I smiled and winked at her again and I could see the joy in her smile as she wiped the tear away. Once I finished singing, I had to go see Lila.

“Evan, that was great, you have an amazing voice.” Lila said as she leaned in for a quick hug. I smiled as I placed my hand in the small of her back and walked her to a nearby table.

“Thank you sweetheart, I love to sing. I was worried you wouldn’t like it. I’m glad you did. Let’s grab a drink before it gets late.” I said and she nodded her head.

Classes are starting tomorrow and I wouldn’t want her to have a hangover. So I ordered us both a beer.

“Lila, when I was singing, I thought I seen a tear roll down your cheek? If you don’t want to explain, you don’t have too.

“Ahh, you seen that did you? Well the lyrics touched my heart and to have you singing directly to me. It was all happy tears, Evan. I’m really glad we met. As much as I would like to sit here and talk all night, I’m not a morning person so I better be going. Thank you for everything! I enjoyed your performance.”

“Thanks darlin’, I really wish we could sit here all night also. I have an early morning class then work. I work at the law firm around the corner from campus. Will I see you tomorrow?” I prayed to God she would say yes.

“I’m sure we will be seeing a lot of each other.” She said with a wink, flashing those dimples. I walked her to her car, and noticed Nikki was with Brody dancing. He hadn’t come home all weekend.

Nikki and Lila seem like two opposites. Lila seems more reserved and shy, and Nikki is loud and not shy at all. I got in my car and went home myself. As I lay in bed all I could think about was Lila. I had taken a picture of us in the park and I laid there staring at it.

Walking through the campus yard, I prayed I would see Lila today and hoped I would have a couple classes with her. I walked in the door and there she stood. She was wearing a white sweater, with black leggings and a pair of boots with fur around the top. Her long blonde hair laid in ringlets down her back.

The closer I got to where she was standing I could feel my stomach doing flips. She walked in the class and sure enough it was my class also. Hell yeah! I thought to myself. I walked in and took the seat right next to her. Damn, she looked even prettier today. I’d known this girl less than a week and she has my heart, and the bulge in my pants, doing jumping jacks.

“Well good morning sweetheart, it is good to see you first thing in the morning. This is going to be a great day,” I said with a wink.

“Good morning Evan, I hoped I would see you today also. I have heard this class is really hard and the professor is well umm…a prick!”