Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“I didn’t think this through . . . I’m filthy,” he said. “How about we go to your place over Joe’s so I can at least wash up? I keep a change of clothes in the trunk, and then we can walk to Pop’s down the street.”
She nodded, okay with whatever he suggested.
Less than an hour later—because who cleaned up faster than a man—they arrived at Pop’s Pizza. They settled into a booth, and Sam reached across the table for her hand, causing excited flutters in her belly.
“So we both like pepperoni.”
She grinned. “Something in common.”
“Look, since it’s quiet and we can talk, I—”
Before he could finish, the restaurant door opened and Macy and Tyler walked in.
Nicole closed her eyes and groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Sam turned in his seat and stiffened. “Son of a bitch.”
Tyler pulled Macy right over to their table. “Funny running into you here.”
“Not laughing,” Sam said.
Nicole met Macy’s apologetic gaze. This truly was a coincidence, she knew.
“Tyler, let’s have Chinese next door,” Macy suggested.
“Good idea,” Sam muttered.
He shook his head. “I’m allergic to MSG.”
Nicole would have rolled her eyes, except he was telling the truth.
“Then let’s take a table in the back.” Macy tugged on his arm.
Tyler met Sam’s steely gaze. “We’re all adults, and clearly, this is a small town, so we’ll be running into each other. Might as well get friendly.”
Before he could slide into the booth next to Nicole, Macy whipped around him and inserted herself there instead. Tyler eyed the long bench Sam sat on the middle of.
“Hell no,” Sam muttered and shoved himself out of the booth. “Macy, out.”
Nicole stared at Sam, who was acting in a way she’d never seen before.
Obviously responding to the authority in Sam’s voice, Macy immediately scooted out of the seat.
“Sam, we’ve already ordered, so let’s just eat and then we’ll go,” Nicole said, not because she wanted to stay but because it was the polite thing to do.
“Did you order yet?” Sam asked Macy. Obviously, he wasn’t speaking to Tyler.
She shook her head.
“Then enjoy.” He held his hand out to Nicole.
Without thought, she placed her hand inside his larger one, savoring the feeling of skin against skin as he helped her out of the booth.
“You’re being rather rude,” Tyler said.
Macy glared at him. “Shut up.” She glanced at Nicole. “I’ll talk to him. I promise.”
“Still here,” Tyler muttered. But he didn’t argue anymore about Nicole and Sam leaving.
Nicole blinked.
She’d never spoken to Tyler that way, and she doubted he’d take it well if she had. But this was Macy’s personality. She’d decided to take charge . . . and he’d allowed it. Still, she’d done it as if she and Tyler had known each other longer than twenty-four hours.
“Amazing how quickly you two became close,” Nicole said, curious about this new relationship.
Macy chuckled. “I wouldn’t call us close, but I’m the only almost-friend he’s got in this town.”
“Quit talking about me like I’m not here,” Tyler said, more insistent this time. “I’m not an idiot. I just believe Nicole and I have too much in common to let things go so easily.”
Nicole narrowed her gaze. Too much at stake. Too much in common, and he didn’t sound like he meant pepperoni pizza. What was going on?
Sam tugged on her arm.
“I already told you where I stand,” Nicole reminded Tyler. “We’re leaving.” She nodded to Macy, turned, and let Sam pull her out of the pizza parlor and onto the street.
Chapter Seven
Anger and annoyance beat through Sam until he reached the sidewalk and fresh air, putting Nicole’s ex behind them. “What the hell?” he asked her.
She stared at him with wide eyes. “I honestly wish I knew. He was never that possessive when we were together. All I can think of is that maybe his family is putting pressure on him to fix things with me,” she said, her eye twitching as she spoke.
Sam studied her. “Why?”
“Can we go somewhere and talk? Instead of doing this here?”
He nodded. Her hand was still in his, so he merely tightened his hold and led her back toward Main Street and the gazebo where they’d shared their first kiss.
She waited until they were settled in the seats there before speaking. “My father and Tyler’s dad are partners in an investment firm in Manhattan. Our families have known each other forever. In fact, Tyler and I practically grew up together, so when we started dating, it seemed . . . meant to be.”
He nodded, processing the fact that they’d had such a long-standing relationship. That they shared a bond. He fucking hated it. A sentiment way out of bounds when he didn’t want more than a casual relationship with her, no matter how strong the desire.
“So they’d naturally want you two together,” he said, pushing down the emotions that rose with her story. Jealousy was okay. Annoyance that her family thought her destined for someone else was not.