For Nicky by A. D. Ellis

you meet the right girl, you’ll just know,” and I’ve always trusted my gut and my heart to let me know.  Up until now, my gut and my heart have never even gotten more than just a little interested in any girl I’ve met.  I never paid much attention to feelings for girls because I never had any intention of taking things past a purely physical level; and, even then, I didn’t even allow most of those physical connections to evolve past a couple hookups. However, the second I laid eyes on Libby, I knew it.  My subconscious fought it, I tried to remain indifferent and detached, but I knew it. My gut knew it.  My heart knew it.  Maverick knew it, but he can’t be trusted.  Libby is the one.  My head and heart feel all funny as scenes race through my mind….Libby and me against the counter reminiscent of my parents just this morning, Libby wearing a wedding dress, Libby with a belly swollen with our child, Libby and I growing old together. Holy shit, this is WAY more than I was looking for. Way more than I thought I wanted. Way more than I can probably handle. But, in this moment, my head and heart are in complete agreement. Libby is my future. Now I just have to fix this.

Chapter 30
     

Libby
     
    First, Audrey was right.   Tongue CAN be fun. Holy cow! I want so badly for Nathan to fix this misunderstanding so we can have more kissing.  Actually, as damp as my underwear are right now, I obviously want more than just kissing but since I’m not Audrey that’s definitely  not happening. Seriously, all the times I had sex with Austin Douglas, or a more accurate description is that Austin Douglas had sex with me, I never got turned on for him. But, kissing a man I barely know has me turned on more than I’ve ever been. Speaking of barely knowing the man in question, how in the world have I gone my whole life barely dating or attracting attention from men, but now, after knowing Nate for only a couple weeks, I feel like I’ve known him forever and I want to spend time getting to know him even more?  Is this the “love at first sight” thing you hear about?  Is this what people mean when they say, “You’ll know when you meet the right one, you’ll just know.”? Because, as I look at Nate, all my reservations about dating fly out the window. I want hand holding and dates and flowers and dancing and cuddling on the couch and kissing, yes, lots of kissing, with Nate Morgan.
    Nate takes my hand and smiles at me.  How can a simple gesture like hand holding seem so sweet and so right?
    “Libby, I wasn’t talking about you when I referred to the freaky one.  I was referring to Audrey.  You are the pretty one.  Let’s go see my dad.  He already ripped me a new one for being rude so I’m sure he’ll be happy to see me learning my lesson AGAIN about name calling.  God, I feel like such an ass.”
    We walked to the food tent and found the rest of the Morgans eating.  Nate motioned for his dad to come over.  Before we left, I noticed two huge smiles on Cindy and Nick’s faces when they saw Nate holding my hand.  I loved my hand in his, but it also felt unreal that I’d just shared a mind blowing kiss with a man I barely knew and now I’m holding his hand.  My dating history is basically nonexistent, with the exception of the whole Austin Douglas screwing both my sister and me the whole time we dated situation, I’m shy and quiet and used to living in Audrey’s shadow with her insults and put downs to keep me company. That’s who Elizabeth Decker is. Isn’t it? The real Elizabeth Decker doesn’t go around kissing men who are practically strangers. The real Elizabeth Decker doesn’t fantasize about seriously dating a gorgeous man. Or, maybe this is the real Libby Decker and she’s just been waiting for Nate to bring her out?

Chapter 31
     

Nate
     
    “Dad, I need you to be honest when you answer my question even though it will paint me in a bad light.  I’ve hurt Libby’s feelings and I