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They all laughed. “Not this time, buddy,” Nick said. “You are truly the man.”
Hayley could tell he meant it, and it felt good to see Nick Freeman so moved. It was about time the man with the biggest smile in the room got to receive something from someone else.
The second act was at least as good as the first, and when the final curtain call arrived, Hayley was excited to remember her night was far from finished. After Bill and Joan had left, she said, “Everybody headed to the bar?”
“Absolutely.” Nick was signing the receipt for his food. “Pretty sure I’m required to be there.”
“Actually,” Mel said apologetically, “we’re going to take off.”
Nick looked up in surprise. “What? No.”
“It’s been a long week, and Rose has the sniffles. We need to be in good shape for the weekend.”
Nick gave Mel a small, incredulous smile. “Rosie’s fine, Mel. Stay and have a drink with us.”
She shook her head. “Next time.”
Everybody stood to leave. Nick seemed to struggle getting out of his chair, and Hayley tensed as he nearly stumbled.
“At least let me drive you home,” he said.
“Not a chance,” Mel said. “You’ve got a party to go to.”
“Can I give you money for the Uber, then?”
“Relax, Nicky. You already got us free tickets.”
Nick gave in. Gavin and Mel both hugged Hayley goodbye, and she was surprised and touched to be so readily accepted.
“Thanks for adopting Nicky,” Mel told her. “Now we get to spend time with you.”
Hayley laughed. “If I knew you guys would be part of the deal, I would have adopted him sooner.”
The women watched Gavin and Nick laughing on the far side of the table. “Don’t tell him I said this,” Mel said, “but you’re really good for him.”
The compliment made her self-conscious. “I think it’s more the other way around,” she said. “He found me the world’s best chocolate shake the other day.”
“Oh, he’s a fantastic guy.” Mel smiled. “I’m just glad he’s got a friend who’s seen him be a jerk.”
Soon Hayley was left with Nick at an empty table. Patrons filed out of the room as performers expertly navigated around them to wipe down tables and collect trash.
“You really wanted them to stay, didn’t you?” she asked him.
“Yeah,” he said distractedly. “I thought I could get her to stay out past eleven this time.”
He’d saidher, notthem. There was some frustration there, and it was with Mel, not Gavin—Hayley had sensed as much when Nick had tried to get them to stay. It was a story she wanted to hear, but not one she felt comfortable digging for. Time to distract him.
“Not everyone can live the life of a free-spirited socialite,” she teased.
“Is that what I am?” He turned to her and smiled. “You make it sound classy.”
She picked up her purse in one hand and linked her other arm in his. “Would you care to escort me to the bar in the manner of ridiculously classy people so that we may await the festivities, Mr. Freeman?”
“I’d be delighted to, Ms. Burke.”
Taking Nick’s arm felt natural, even though his hands stayed anchored to the walker. It was a way to give him stability without being obvious about it. She’d watched him fight to stand, and now his stance told her he was definitely tired, if not injured. Shekept pace with him as he gingerly walked up the ramp to the back of the room, where Linda Brandazzio was chatting with patrons at the exit.
“How did you two find each other?” Linda asked, delighted. “Did Mimi seat you together? That girl has a knack.”
