Chapter 4

Naomi woke with her heart still thudding from the message she had sent. She stared at the ceiling, hugging her pillow, replaying Nick’s words in her mind. Dinner tomorrow? You and me? And her own reckless reply: Okay tomorrow.

She wanted to take it back, She wanted to pretend it never happened. But a small thrill curled in her stomach at the thought of him noticing her, choosing her out of all the girls.

At breakfast, her father read his newspaper as usual, while her mother’s sharp eyes darted to Naomi. “You’re quiet,” Lydia said. “Did you sleep?”

Naomi forced a smile. “Yes, Mom, just tired.”

Her mother didn’t look convinced, but she let it go. Naomi picked at her food, her mind far away.

–––

By afternoon, Naomi sat on the church pew, waiting for choir practice to start. The large hall echoed with footsteps and soft chatter. She held her hymn book tightly, flipping through the pages without seeing the words.

“Spacing out again?” a voice drawled beside her.

Naomi’s head snapped up, Williams leaned lazily against the pew, his choir robe slung over his arm, that same smug look on his face.

“I’m not spacing out,” Naomi muttered shifting away.

“Really?” Williams smirked. “Because you’ve been staring at the same page for five minutes, want me to read the notes out loud for you? Or do you only sing when Nick’s around?”

Naomi’s cheeks burned. “Mind your business.”

Williams only chuckled, dropping into the seat behind her, He hummed off-key deliberately, just loud enough to irritate her.

Naomi snapped her hymn book shut. “Could you not?”

“I’m just practicing,” Williams said his tone teasing. “Isn’t that what choir practice is for?”

She glared at him, but he only grinned wider, For some reason, he seemed to enjoy getting under her skin.

Before she could snap back, Nick entered the hall. Instantly, the atmosphere shifted. Girls whispered, a few straightened their dresses, Naomi’s heart gave a little leap against her will.

Nick’s eyes scanned the room and landed on her. His smile was smooth and confident, like he’d been waiting just for her.

“Naomi,” he said warmly striding over. “You were amazing last Sunday, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone sing like that.”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Oh thank you.”

Nick sat in the pew beside her close enough to make her breath catch. “I meant what I said You have a gift.” His voice dropped softer. “I’d like to hear it again, just you and me sometime.”

Naomi’s pulse fluttered, She couldn’t find words.

Behind her, Williams made a scoffing sound. “Flattery, Classic move.”

Naomi turned sharply. “Do you ever stop talking?”

Williams raised his hands innocently. “Just saying.”

Nick shot Williams a sharp irritated look before turning back to Naomi his tone smooth again. “Ignore him, He likes to act smart when really, he’s just bored.”

Naomi tried to steady her breathing, focusing on Nick.

He was so different from Williams, Nick is charming, confident, and full of attention which made her feel seen.

The practice began, Williams continued to hum off-beat behind her, occasionally whispering sarcastic remarks just loud enough for her to hear. Naomi clenched her jaw, annoyed, but every time she glanced to the side, Nick was right there, smiling at her like she was the only one in the room.

By the end of practice, as Naomi gathered her books, Nick leaned closer, his voice low. “So… tomorrow night, I’ll be waiting.”

Naomi’s fingers tightened on her hymn book, Her heart pounded, torn between her mother’s warnings and the thrilling danger in his smile.

From the corner of her eye she caught Williams watching again, his expression unreadable, Annoying as he was, he seemed to notice everything.

But Naomi quickly pushed that thought away, Nick had already captured her attention.

—-

The restaurant glowed with golden light, the soft hum of jazz filling the air. Naomi stepped inside nervously, clutching her sweater tight around her. She’d never been anywhere this fancy before the ceiling sparkled like stars, the tables draped in white linen, glasses shining in neat rows.

Nick was already there, leaning back in his seat like he owned the place. He stood when he saw her, his smile smooth and confident.

“Naomi,” he said warmly pulling out her chair. “You look beautiful tonight.”

Her cheeks flushed. “T-thank you.”

As she sat, her hands fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth, Nick leaned forward resting his chin on one hand with his eyes fixed on her.

“I’m really glad you came, I know it wasn’t easy for you.”

Naomi gave a shy smile. “My parents wouldn’t understand.”

Nick’s gaze softened. “Of course. They want to protect you, but sometimes people protect so much that they end up caging you, and you deserve to live, Naomi. To breathe and to be seen.”

Her heart skipped His words felt like he was reading her secret thoughts.

The waiter arrived and Nick ordered without hesitation, his tone smooth, Naomi just nodded letting him handle it. She had no idea what half the dishes meant anyway.

Just as she began to relax her eyes caught movement near the far side of the room, Her heart froze, Williams.

He sat two tables away, his back half-turned, but his gaze kept flicking toward her. He wasn’t even hiding it, just sitting there, watching.

Naomi shifted uncomfortably. “Oh no…”

Nick noticed instantly, He followed her gaze then smirked when he saw him.

“Williams,” Nick muttered, his voice laced with disdain. “Of course.”

Naomi bit her lip. “What’s he doing here?”

Nick leaned closer lowering his voice. “He does this a lot, doesn’t he? Shows up where you are and start watching, Pretending it’s a coincidence.”

Naomi’s brows furrowed, Was that true?

Nick sighed, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. “Naomi, you deserve to know Williams is obsessed with you, He hides it behind that whole ‘quiet piano boy’ act, but really, he’s just weird about it and very Creepy.”

Naomi blinked startled at Nick's revelation. “Obsessed?”

Nick nodded slowly. “Think about it, every time you’re at church, choir practice who’s hovering? Who’s staring? Who never leaves you alone?”

Her mind raced. Williams was always there. Always teasing, always humming off-key, always finding ways to irritate her The thought made her stomach twist.

Nick leaned closer, his eyes locked on hers. “I don’t like saying bad things about people, but I can’t stand watching him bother you I care about you, Naomi. And I don’t want him making you uncomfortable.”

Something in his tone protective, gentle—slipped past her defenses. For the first time, she felt seen like someone was standing up for her.

Naomi exhaled shakily. “I thought he was just annoying but now it feels like maybe you’re right.”

Nick reached across the table brushing her hand lightly. “Of course I’m right I notice things. And I’ll never let anyone treat you wrong Not him, not anyone.”

Her pulse raced at the touch of his words She didn’t pull her hand away.

Nick smiled, satisfied. “Naomi you can trust me, I’m not like him I’m not like anyone else.”

Across the room, Williams sat stiffly, his jaw tight, and his gaze lingering on her.

To Naomi, it only confirmed what Nick had said about Williams, he looked every bit the intruder, the unwanted attention.

But beside her, Nick was warm, charming, protective.

And Naomi, despite her mother’s warnings and her father's protective fence felt her heart tipping toward him.