A Summer To Remember: Novella (Lost Love Book 1) by C.L. Richards

pair. It doesn't take long to locate an immaculate pair of silver sandals. They would look great with my toes done. I persuade Nikki we're in need of a pedicure.
    "Are you looking forward to your date?" She asks. A grin spreads over my face like fierce blaze, not able to hold it under control. "Yeah surprisingly, I am." Well, that’s not something I thought I would hear myself say, after a short amount of time.
    "You know, Xavier is great for you." I agree with her to a certain extent he has a heart of gold. Yet, I'm terrified. Will new memories delete the old ones?  Not having any wish to ruin the day by recalling undesirable musings, I push them into the back of my mind. Nikki must get the insight, I'm not keen on talking as she picks up her magazine, not saying another word. In the wake of unwinding for the past thirty minutes, It's time to head home, my feet feel astounding. I settled on a light blue polish,"You're glowing Izzy." Nikki whispers.  "You ready?" Nodding my head in answer, uneasiness makes its vicinity known. I'm frozen to the spot, my hands are sweating. Anxiety takes me into a spiraling vortex. With one question blazing before my eyes, am I ready to go ahead with my date?
    Hands clamp down on my shoulders, "Cool off, honey. There is no reason to worry. I promise. If you're not ready to date, don't. Xavier will respect you for telling him." My vision becomes blurry, dots streak before my eyes. Some person hollers, yet I can't make out who. Something's placed against my ear. The delicate drawl of Xavier's voice talks softly into my ear. "You're alright babe. Take a deep breath, that is it, good girl." Hearing his voice, conveys a moment of calm to my body. "You okay Isabelle?" I'm trying to shape words, but I can't push them past the tip of my tongue. A glass of water is set in my grasp, "drink, this." Nikki says with worry binding her voice. Nikki takes the phone from my hand, and strolls over the other side of the room, talking quietly into the phone. The beauty therapist, (Sarah I think her name is), aided me into the seat I abandoned minutes prior. "Do you need anything else?" With a shake of my head, I decline her offer. An awkward silence descends on us.
    Nikki's no longer talking into the phone. She advances in my direction until she's stood before me. "You okay?" I don't have a clue what's gotten into me. I figure I'm touchier to things since Josh passed. I give her a feeble excuse, advising her all is well. She doesn't believe me, her glare, challenges me to come clean. With a murmur, she inquires whether I'm ready to leave. Grabbing my bag, I'm ready to get away from the circus show.
     
    ~#~
     
     
    Nikki follows after me, I figure, she's dumbfounded. I incline towards her car, waiting for her to catch up. Did I humiliate her, is that why she haven't said anything?  Nikki strolls past me, rounding the car. She opens the driver's door and lets it shut  with a bang. Carefully pulling my door open. Anticipating that she will start the car instead, she quietly gazes out of the front window. "I'm worried about you Izzy, these attacks are getting more frequent." I stay silent. "I think you ought to see somebody, and no weak excuses either." Maybe she's right. "Alright, but on one condition, you go with me to the first appointment." A little grin lights up her face. "Deal."
    Presently I have the stress of what Xavier will think. I don't want him to believe our fast, approaching date was the cause of the attack. I know it kinda was, but I'm terrified. What If he takes my heart? Would I  cope with losing someone else?  "Are you still going on your date or would you rather have a girlie night at my place?" Nikki inquires. She must notice the cogs in my brain working. "Look one date won't hurt, my advice is to have fun. We'll book you an appointment to talk with somebody in the morning." Still feeling reluctant yet what trouble could one-night cause.
      Touching base at the house, I head straight for