Waiting on the Bachelor (The HoliDATE Series Book 1) Read online

  Waiting on the Bachelor

  Copyright © 2019 by Heather Young-Nichols

  Cover Art by Booked by Design

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Also by Heather Young-Nichols

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  One of the things that sucked most about my boyfriend being out of school and into his own career while I remained bound to the college schedule was sometimes having to wait around for him. Most of the time I had my schoolwork to keep me busy but at this point I had caught everything up but also had already worked ahead more than I should’ve. I most certainly didn’t have school work on my mind.

  Being February of my senior year of college, some of my friends had already begun looking for jobs or at least had begun planning for their future, which for some, included grad school. I had tried to plan, too, but so far, nothing piqued my interest enough for me to commit. At the end of last summer, I gave notice at the job I worked each year, so they knew I wouldn’t be back. But the closer I got to graduation, the more I began to reconsider that decision. Maybe if nothing else popped up, they’d hire me back. I didn’t long to be a barista forever, but it’d give me income as I waited for something better. I’d do whatever it took.

  But Cain cautioned me to be picky about whatever I chose. Said he didn’t want me to dread going to work every day at a job I didn’t love. Easy for him to say. The idea of loving what I got paid to do had never crossed my mind. It was his way of saying he’d take care of me, but I had taken care of myself so long I wasn’t so sure I could let him do it.

  Taking money from Cain for my tuition for junior year broke my pride enough. I wouldn’t do that again. However, I did enjoy that him offering to take care of me meant he thought about us in the long term.

  All through college I’d been dedicated to my studies. That dedication led me to almost selling my virginity to stay in school, to stay with Cain, but the school work had grown tiring. I wanted some freedom. Though Cain being out of town had me hitting the books hard again since being in his apartment alone didn’t give me much else to do.

  Sure, going back to the apartment I shared with Kendra Roberts, my best friend, remained a possibility but her boyfriend, Adam, had plans for Valentine’s Day weekend that would work out better for them if I made myself scarce and I’d told Kendra I’d be staying at Cain’s. I mean, I stayed with him most of the time anyway, so this wasn’t out of the ordinary.

  Cain left town two weeks ago, leaving me for the first time to travel with his dad for work. He said he wouldn’t travel much for work but apparently this training was super important and in Atlanta. His dad said it would be wrong to require others to go while they stayed home. Plus, they needed the training anyway. I’d been tempted to go with him but missing two weeks of class wasn’t the best idea. No way I’d fuck up my last semester. I’d worked my entire life for this degree.

  My life had become very different from the one I’d envisioned when I left Washington for Michigan over three years ago. I’d planned to get an education, go back home, get a job, and help take care of my mom. Instead I’d fallen in love, my mom found her one, gotten married, and I’d made the very best friends a girl could’ve asked for. Now I’d never imagine going back. Michigan was my home now.

  I had to smile to myself and shake my head whenever I thought about it. The whole thing seemed unreal.

  As I rummaged through one of the dresser drawers Cain had insisted I take as my own, searching for the perfect, sexy number to wear for when he got home later today, my phone rang from the other room. I jogged out to get it before it stopped ringing. One of my favorite pictures of Cain appeared on my screen.

  “Hey, there,” I answered with a smile when the call connected, and he appeared on my screen. Facetime might’ve been the best invention ever when the boyfriend had to go out of town.

  “Hey.” By the sound of his voice and the severe look on his face, I wouldn’t like what he was about to say. “Our flight’s delayed.”

  “No,” I said back, shaking my head as if he’d asked me a question, or permission to be late, which obviously he hadn’t. As much as Cain would move heaven and Earth for me, he didn’t control the airlines or weather or whatever else caused the delay. If the corporate plane had been available, I wondered if we’d have been in this predicament.

  “I know,” he said with a sigh.

  “It’s Valentine’s Day.”

  His face scrunched up in confusion, yet he also smirked. “You care about Valentine’s Day?”

  I chuckled. He really knew me well. “Not at all.” I flopped down on to the couch, leaning back against the arm and stretching my legs out across the cushions but kept the phone as steady as possible. I loved seeing him as we talked. I’d missed him so much during his two weeks away. “But I care about seeing you and I’ll use any excuse to make it happen.”

  He gave me that great Cain smile. “I miss you too, Flannery.”

  “So how much of a delay?”

  “They’re saying two hours right now but who really knows. Ten minutes ago, they said an hour.”

  I groaned. That wasn’t at all what I wanted to hear.

  The tightness in his face showed that he was as irritated as me. Then his brows furrowed, and he asked, “What are you wearing?”

  “Hey, now,” his father, Paul’s voice came from somewhere off the screen. “Watch it. I’m right here.”

  I giggled at Cain’s dad because Cain hadn’t asked me that in a sexy way. More… confused. When I glanced down I realized how closely my shirt color matched my skin. Over the phone, it might’ve looked like I wasn’t wearing a shirt at all.

  “Hi, Paul,” I said sweetly as Cain flipped the camera for me to see his dad. “How did you like Atlanta?”

  “I’ll like it better once I’m not here anymore,” he said back honestly.

  I laughed as did Cain. “For the record,” I told him, “I’m fully clothed but apparently my shirt is a little too skin colored for your son to differentiate.”

  Paul smiled at the same time Cain said, “That sucks.”

  I’ve loved Cain’s family from the first time I met them. Well, except his brother Jackson. But even he had chilled the fuck out over the last couple of years and while I wouldn’t call us close, Jackson and I had moved into an area I’d call friendly.

  The camera moved back to my boyfriend, who took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “So, I’ll keep you updated. I’d rent a car and make the drive if we were closer.”

  “I know.” We both fell quiet as we stared at each other. Finally, someone had to end it, so I said, “Hopefully I’ll see you later?”

  “I’ll see you in a few hours,” he said back more forcefully. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Though it didn’t look like he wanted to, Cain ended the call leaving me missing him even more than I already had been. Which was saying something.

  It’d been his idea to video call as much as possible w
hile he was gone. He said he hated not being able to see my face. I loved being able to see him, but I thought it made me miss him even more.

  I could sit there and wallow or call my best friend and vent. Sure, Kendra might’ve been studying because that was all she did anymore. She wanted as strong a finish as I did and already applied to some law schools. She’d find her home in law school, knowing her. Kendra Roberts, attorney at law had a nice ring to it after all. Also, I had no idea what time Adam said he’d pick her up, so I could really be interrupting something. Still, I’d take my chances. Especially since Kendra said she and Adam were only hanging out on Valentine’s Day because they didn’t have anything else to do. Because she still liked to think they weren’t really together. As in, in a relationship.

  So, I chose her name of my contact list and hit the button for speaker phone once the ringing started.

  “Am I your poor substitute for Cain Dorsey, Flannery Tate?” Kendra answered with instead of hello.

  “You’re not a poor substitute for anything.”

  “True. What’s up?”

  “Am I interrupting you?” I asked.

  She let out a heavy sigh. I imagined her dropping a pencil and falling back against her chair heavily. I’d seen the movie a hundred times when she was being dramatic. “Always. Honestly, you’re a burden not only to me but to society yet you keep calling.” And we technically lived together though I didn’t stay at our apartment much anymore.

  I chuckled quietly into the phone. “You’re such an asshole.”

  “Got that memo years ago. But seriously, what’s up?”

  “What are your Valentine’s Day plans?” I asked her while trying not to laugh into the phone. I knew damn well the plans he’d made, but she wasn’t in on the plan. Plus, any chance to throw something romance related in her face, I jumped at.

  Kendra groaned loudly into my ear. “He won’t tell me but I’m sure it’s something stupid that I’ll hate. He’s always trying to trick me with something.”

  “You’ll have fun.”

  Now she gave me the sigh of a person in love. In denial but also in love. “Yeah. If I get to hang out with Adam, I’m sure it’ll be fine. But I don’t get why some stupid day means we have to do something. It’s not like we’re together but I’m thinking he might be catching feelings. I love the guy, but I don’t love the guy, ya know? He should just come over so we can have sex then go get a pizza.”

  Poor Adam had to walk such a narrow line between friend and boyfriend. For a lot of guys, Kendra would’ve been the perfect girl. Unattached but ready for sex. No strings. No demands relationship wise. But Adam and I had spent many hours talking, and that wasn’t what he wanted from her. He had a plan, and to execute it he’d have to play her game.

  “I’m sure he wants to take the pressure off,” I said. “Everyone asks what you’re doing for Valentine’s Day. Easier to say you have plans with someone than to say you’ll be alone. People would feel sorry for you.”

  It was the easiest way of explaining without mentioning that Adam is head over heels in love with her and while she might not want to admit it, she was with him as well.

  “Yeah but that’s for sure not me. I don’t care what people think. But I could probably use a night out. I’m in the library so much that even see anybody very much.”

  “What do you think Sam’s doing tonight?” I asked her.

  She snorted. “I think Sam is doing just fine for himself in California.”

  I giggled back. “No kidding.”

  Sam would find a way to have fun, no matter the day. He was almost the male version of Kendra in a lot of ways. I’d known him for years and never once had he been in a relationship but never knew why. I thought maybe he wanted to enjoy college as a single guy.

  “And what about your night? When does Cain get home?”

  I returned to the bedroom, determined to find the super sexy items I’d bought for whenever Cain did make it back and sat the phone on the dresser. I’d picked out something specific for this very night. Cain’s return. Not Valentine’s Day.

  “No idea. His flight’s delayed.”

  “Oh, that sucks.”

  “Yeah. No kidding.”

  “Just think,” Kendra continued, “When he gets home it’ll make the sex that much better after being apart and longing for each other and—”

  “Listen,” I cut her off. “I’d take mediocre sex right about now but that’s not the point.” What a difference falling in love made. Before Cain I was the college virgin that didn’t have time for guys. Now, I longed to feel his skin against mine.

  “You miss him,” she said quietly. “I get it. I mean I don’t get it because all the mushy stuff is pretty far out of my wheelhouse, but I understand what you’re saying. Listen,” something shifted against the phone, “if he isn’t going to get back tonight, call me and I’ll come over. We’ll have a girl’s weekend.”

  “But Adam…”

  “What about him? We’re hanging out. He won’t care. He’s always been part of our girl’s weekends, anyway.”

  Since I didn’t want to argue with her about what Adam did or didn’t mean to her, I decided not to say anything. Adam would’ve absolutely cared about not being alone with Kendra when they had plans. Not even Valentine’s Day specific. He was so in love with her I often wondered how he put up with her being in denial about their relationship. But as a person who had their relationship opened up to the public when I decided to sell my virginity, I’d let them figure it out. Of course, I’d prod her along when I had the chance.

  “I’ll let you know,” I said back then ended the call.

  Chapter Two

  To waste time as I waited for Cain to call and tell me when he’d be home, I began cleaning the apartment. The place was already clean, but I needed something to take up my time. I started in the bedroom because I wasn’t denying, even to myself, that I wanted to end up in there with him as soon as possible. I even cleaned out a drawer in the kitchen that never got cleaned out. Cain had someone come in once a week to clean so I was basically making my hands busy by tiding up and emptying drawers. Finally, two hours after he first called, his face showed up on my phone again but this time as a regular call and not a video chat.

  “Tell me you have good news,” I said instead of hello.

  He chuckled softly in my ear. “We’re actually on the plane getting ready to take off.”

  “Oh, thank god,” I said back, sounding so relieved that it surprised even me.

  Again, he laughed. “You’ve missed me.”

  “I have. But I’m also horny as hell.”

  “Tell me about it,” he said then let out a long sigh. “OK, I have to turn my phone off, but I’ll be home soon.”

  “I love you.”

  “Love you, too,” he said back before ending the call.

  Now I had just the right amount of time to get ready for him. We’d go out to dinner if he wanted to but I’d be ecstatic to stay in. Him and me—alone. Sounded about perfect.

  First, I showered, put lotion on, and took my time to blow out my hair before bending the long, blonde locks into loose curls. A little makeup went a long way with me given the fact I wore it sparingly to begin with. I preferred a more natural look, but mascara and lip gloss were mandatory.

  I pulled the little number I’d bought for this very moment out of my drawer. I saw the red bra and panty set with the short silky robe at the mall over a week ago and Kendra encouraged me to buy it. The whole thing cost me an entire week’s pay from my summer job, but I’d cut corners to make up for the splurge.

  Kendra had been about to slap me when I said the last part out loud. She may’ve been my best friend, but she had no idea what it was like to not have money. She’d grown up with it as had Cain. Adam’s family didn’t have a lot but still had more than I had growing up. My mom did her best, but circumstances weren’t great, and I still had a hard time allowing Cain to pay for anything more than our normal dates.
/>   I’d spent over an hour and a half getting ready, so I still had a wait, but nervous butterflies swarmed my stomach. I hadn’t seen Cain in two weeks and didn’t want to wait another minute. When someone knocked on the door, a huge smile broke across my face and I ran for it.

  Right before turning the knob, I realized that Cain wouldn’t knock. This was his apartment. He could’ve gotten in even if it was locked. He had a key. I stopped myself from opening the door and pushed up onto my toes to look out of the peephole.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered as I lowered myself back down onto flat feet. I made sure the belt on my robe was pulled tight before I opened the door. Sam blew past me right into the apartment. Not exactly the man I’d been hoping for. Like he didn’t really see me there.

  “What’re you doing here?” I asked.

  “Well that’s a fine greeting for a man who flew across the country to see you,” he said back while glancing around.

  “See me?”

  Sam had been Cain’s best friend since they were kids. Now since I’d been with Cain, Sam and I had become friends as well but why in the hell would he come from California to see me? Well, he wouldn’t. I realized that with him, it was more likely that he’d left something behind rather than come to me.

  “Who did you leave in California?” I asked, crossing my arms under my breasts.

  Sam turned my way, scrubbing a hand over the dark hair on the back of his head, and instead of answering me, he asked, “What the hell are you wearing?”

  I pinched my face up at him. “Shut up.”

  “Oh right.” He snapped his fingers. “Cain’s coming home today, right? Shouldn’t he already be here?”

  “Yes, and if you knew he was coming home why are you here? Did he know you were going to be in town?”

  “Woah, slow down.” He put his hands up defensively.

  But I didn’t want to slow down. I wanted him to tell me what was going on and get the hell out of the apartment before Cain arrived. “Answers, please.”