Read Mending the Soul for Free Online

you should!  I don't do it for just anyone, only my special friends!"  He said.  Jenna smiled at him, and the two sat in silence the rest of the way to the restaurant.
               
    *****
     
    When they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, Jenna started to get nervous.  For some reason, she began to get worried about what Nicholas' friends thought of her.  Logically, she knew that their opinions shouldn't matter, but for some reason they did.
    Nicholas opened her door again and helped her out of the vehicle, then offered her his arm.  Jenna put her hand on the crook of his elbow and the two made their way inside.  When his friends saw them, they all stopped talking and just stared, making Jenna more nervous.  Nicholas guided her to an empty seat and sat her down, then took the seat right next to her.
    "Hey guys, this is my friend Jenna, she moved next door a few months ago."  Nicholas introduced everyone at the table and they all said little hellos to her.  "So, why is everyone so quiet?"  He asked.
    "Well, when you said you were bringing a friend, no one expected it to be a female friend.  I think we were a little shocked."  Nathan, one of his friends, said.  "It's just been a while since we've seen any woman on your arm."
    "We're just friends, very platonic and everything."  Jenna said, to clear up any misgivings that his friends had.
    "Oh, that's too bad."  Nathan said.  He seemed to be the most outspoken one.
    After that, everyone started talking again, and including Jenna in all the conversations and making her feel welcome.  The food was great, and Jenna kept her vow to Nicholas and didn't eat too much garlic.
    When dinner was finished, they all headed to the club across the street.  Nicholas took Jenna's drink order, then went to the bar to get it for her.  He came back with three of the drinks she asked for.
    "Why did you get three?"  Jenna asked.
    "Well, I promised you a nice dinner, a few too many drinks and tons of dancing, right?  We've already had the nice dinner, now we're working on a few too many drinks.  So drink up, then we'll dance."  He explained.
    "It's been so long since I've had any alcohol, I think these three will get me pretty smashed."  Jenna said, looking a little embarrassed.
    "Nothing wrong with that!"  Nick told her as he sipped on his own beer.
    Jenna started her first drink, and after tasting it, she decided the best plan of action was to slam it.  After it was all gone, she put the glass back on the table and picked up the next one.  Nicholas's eyes got wide as he watched her, and began laughing.  "Easy killer, you keep going like that and you'll really be paying for it tomorrow!"
    "Sorry.  The first one is always the hardest, had to get it over with."  She smiled.
    A little while later, Nicholas pulled a slightly buzzed Jenna out on the dance floor.  "I might be a little rusty."  Jenna told him.  "It's been a while."
    "It's ok, I'm rusty too."  He told her.
    They found an empty spot on the dance floor and started to move, a little awkwardly at first, but as the music played on, they started to loosen up and get more comfortable dancing.  They were really getting into it when the music turned from a fast song to a slow one.
    Nicholas looked at Jenna questioningly and asked "How about it?"
    Jenna nodded and moved closer to Nick.  He put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, until her hips were touching his.  She rested her hands on his shoulders as they moved to the music.
    "Are you having fun?"  He asked her, causing Jenna to look up into his eyes.
    Jenna just looked into his eyes, remarking that even in the dark, she could see the beautiful shade of green that they were.  "I'm having a great time.  I don't think I've ever had so much fun.  Thanks for making me come out tonight."  Jenna looked away from Nick's eyes, and laid her head on his shoulder.  Her heart was racing as she smelled his cologne and ran her