To her dismay, Nicole was waving Nick over to the table. He came and sat down, noticeably moving his chair away from Caddie and closer to his girlfriend. He put his arm around the back of Nicole’s chair. “So, what are you two talking about?” he asked.

“You,” said Nicole, laying her hand on his knee. “Caddie was telling me how gorgeous she thinks you are, and I was telling her she better keep her hands off you.” She looked at Caddie and winked, while Nick paled and scratched his ear nervously.

“Nicole says I should meet your brother,” Caddie said.

“Right,” Nicole agreed. “Don’t you think Joey would like her?”

Nick nodded. “Sure,” he said. “I guess.”

Nicole slapped his knee. “What’s the matter with you?” she asked. “You’re acting all weird.”

Nick shrugged. “Dad’s on my ass,” he said. “You know how it is.”

“I don’t think she does,” Caddie remarked under her breath, watching his eyes shift away from her.

Nicole, not hearing her, continued talking. “Well, I think Joey would love her. What are you doing tonight?” she asked Caddie.

“Tonight?” Caddie thought quickly. “Tonight my dad is making dinner for me. Sorry.”

Nicole frowned. “Okay, but we’re definitely going out sometime this week. Give me your number.”

“Actually, I don’t even know what it is,” Caddie said truthfully. “I didn’t bring my cell with me, and I always use speed dial if I have to call my father.”

“Well, here’s mine,” Nicole said, producing a pen from her bag and scribbling on a napkin. She handed it to Caddie. “Now you promise you’ll call me.”

“Sure,” Caddie said, folding the napkin and tucking it into her pocket.

“Excuse me,” Nicole said, getting up. “I need to visit the little girls’ room.”

She left Caddie alone with Nick. As soon as she was out of earshot Caddie said, “You’re an asshole.”

Nick put his hands up. “I know,” he said. “I know.”

Caddie waited for him to continue, but he didn’t. “That’s it?” she said. “You know? How about ‘I’m sorry’?”

“I’m sorry,” Nick said obediently.

“No, you’re not!” Caddie snapped. “You’re just horny. And stupid. She’s a nice girl. She thinks you love her.”

“I do love her,” said Nick defensively.

Caddie snorted. “She thinks she’s the only girl you’ve been with.”

Nick leaned back in his chair. “What do you want me to say?” he asked her. “We’ve been together six years.”

“Seven,” said Caddie.

“Seven years,” said Nick. “That’s a long time with one girl.”

“So break up with her,” Caddie suggested. “Don’t lie to her.”

Nick shook his head. “I can’t,” he said. “It would break her heart.”

Caddie stared at him. “You’re something else,” she said. “You think you’re so wonderful that she wouldn’t be able to live without you? Here’s a news flash—she’s in love with being in love, not with you. And you’d better pray she never figures that out, because then you really will be sorry.”

“Thank you, Dr. Phil,” Nick cracked. “I was good enough for you, wasn’t I?”