Forever Baby by Ellie Wade

light and climbs in behind me, wrapping his arm around me. My dejection slowly abates with the familiarity of Nolan wrapped around me. He is my sweet Nolan, who I trust, and he has never hurt me.
    “Do you want to talk about it?” he asks.
    “He was dancing with another girl, and I freaked out.”
    “Maybe she was a friend?”
    “No. The way they were dancing suggested that it was more.” I pause. “I feel like an idiot. I don’t know why I even started liking him. I knew how he was.”
    “Has he tried to contact you? Maybe you should talk to him and clear the air?” Nolan suggests with little conviction.
    “I turned off my phone, so I don’t know. I am going to have to be around him for the rest of the summer, so I’m sure we will talk at some point, but I don’t feel like talking to him right now.”
    “Fair enough. Well, you have me, babe.”
    “I know. Thanks for loving me, Nolan.”
    “Always,” Nolan says gently.
    My gratefulness for that fills my heart as I drift into sleep.

When I enter my house the next morning, a sleepy-eyed Nadia is sitting in the recliner, sipping a steaming cup of coffee. Her eyes perk up when she sees me.
    “What happened last night?” she asks with curiosity.
    I don’t know what to say to her exactly. I feel silly about the way I responded after dating Andres for only a week—if that was what we were even doing. “I wasn’t feeling well.”
    “Yeah, I don’t buy that. What really happened?”
    I let out a small chuckle. “What makes you think I’m not telling you the truth?”
    “I don’t know. I can tell. I’m good like that. Spill it.”
    I plop down on the couch and let out a long sigh. “I kind of freaked out when I saw Andres dancing with another girl, and I asked Nolan to get me out of there.”
    “Andres was dancing with another girl?”
    “Yeah, quite intently. I left to use the restroom, and when I got back, they were dancing and all over each other. I know Andres told me he wasn’t good at relationships, but I really liked him, and it hurt.”
    “Hmm…that’s weird. He didn’t mention another girl, but he seemed really upset that you had left.”
    “Whatever. It is best that we don’t get involved anyway,” I say, trying to convince myself.
    “You should talk to him. Maybe it wasn’t what you think. I’m not saying Andres hasn’t been a slut in the past, but coming with you and doing that while you were there doesn’t seem like him. He’s not an asshole.”
    “Maybe. It wasn’t going anywhere anyway. I’m fine.”
    Nadia looks at me skeptically. “Okay. Well, I’m sure you will figure it out. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
    “I will.”
    Nadia grins. “Okay, well, my parents are back in town. My dad just finished a business trip, and my mom travels with him. They invited us to the country club today. It’s not the most exciting place, but it does have great food and an awesome pool. Do you want to come?”
    “Sure, that sounds fun.” I could use some time to veg out in the sun.
    At that moment, Carlos comes bounding down the stairs. “Hey, Livi. What happened to you last night?”
    “I told you she didn’t feel well,” Nadia snaps.
    “Yeah, okay. Whatever. You better have left me some coffee.” He makes his way to the kitchen.
    “He is such a caring soul,” Nadia says sarcastically.
    My lips curve up into a smile.
     
    The country club appears similar to how I envisioned it. It has intricate stonework atop a stucco exterior. It is very Mediterranean. The exterior is flanked with deep green foliage and palm trees. The main lobby is tiled with a cathedral ceiling. Windows line the end of the atrium, allowing light to filter in.
    “Come on. This way.” Nadia motions, and we walk through an upscale changing area. “We can leave our stuff in here.”
    I take off my sundress and hang it in a locker. I use the term locker loosely since these are more like closets with dark wooden doors. “We are only going to