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)
“Ty?” she said, using her old nickname for him as she walked over and placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry about everything.”
He turned to face her. “I don’t blame you for ending things between us. It hurt, but I realize now that you were right. There was no . . . spark. We were comfortable. Good friends. But we wouldn’t have been happy.”
She was glad he finally understood. “I don’t suppose Macy has anything to do with that realization?”
He smiled, but it was grim. “She has everything to do with it, and you know it.”
“I do. And I’m glad. You deserve someone to make you happy.”
He cleared his throat. “So do you. It’s tough to say, but Marsden’s a good guy.”
Nicole laughed at his reluctance to admit it. “He’s the best.” The words slipped out before she could think them through. “I mean—”
“I know what you mean. If I said Macy was the best, would you take offense?”
She laughed again. “No. I guess, it’s just, this is awkward.”
“But we’re going to have to get used to it. Get used to each other being with other people.”
“Because you’re sticking around?” she asked, curious how he planned to have a relationship with Macy while she was here in Serendipity.
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I’ll figure that out when I see what’s left of the investment firm in Manhattan when all this is over.”
“It’ll get easier. But I’m not just sorry about us. I’m sorry about your father. I know it has to be a huge blow, and I want you to know I’m here if you need to talk about it to someone who understands.”
“Thanks.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I appreciate the offer, but I think you and I have other people to confide in these days.”
“Yeah. If I can convince Sam that love exists and relationship isn’t a bad word.”
Tyler raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You deserve someone who is certain and sure. Someone who will stick.”
Nicole raised her chin. “Yeah, I do. And I plan on doing everything I can to make sure I get it.”
Tyler shook his head and laughed. “The guy won’t know what hit him.”
She grinned. “That’s what I’m hoping. But if not? I’m doing everything I can to have the best life possible. With or without Sam Marsden in it.” She just did her best not to contemplate the without alternative.
* * *
Sam strode into the station and found his brother by the coffee machine in the small break room. Mike poured a cup of coffee, the bright orange top of the carafe capturing Sam’s attention.
“What’s up with the decaf?” Sam asked. Mike was a hard-core coffee drinker.
“What are you doing here on your day off?” Mike asked, ignoring the question.
Sam waited until Mike had added some milk to his coffee before following his brother back into his office.
Mike slammed the door behind him. “Cara said if she has to give up caffeine, so do I,” he muttered, and Sam burst out laughing.
“So it’s definite?” Sam asked, bringing the question dogging him out into the open. “Cara’s pregnant?”
Mike placed his coffee on the desk and looked up to meet Sam’s gaze, his brother’s eyes wide with wonder, the grin on his face huge. “Thanks for persuading her to talk to me.”
Sam strode over and pulled his brother into a big hug, slapping him on the back hard. “I am so damn happy for you.”
“I’m in shock. I don’t know how—okay, obviously I know how. It just wasn’t planned.”
“Yeah. I got that much from Cara.”
“I can’t believe she was afraid of my reaction.” Mike shook his head and lowered himself into his oversized chair.
Sam blew out a long breath and settled on the corner of the desk. “Okay, well, you gave her a good run for her money before coming around, but that said—” Mike started to speak, but Sam held up a hand. “That said,” Sam continued, “her childhood, her mother remaining in an abusive situation, her having to cut off her emotions in order to protect herself, she was just doing that now. Protecting herself.”
“From me?” Mike asked in disbelief.
“From her own fears. Anyway, it’s over. She came to you, right? It’s all good?”
He nodded. “Yeah. It really is.”
Sam chuckled at the goofy grin on his brother’s face. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. She knows you love her. She just needs to be reminded, that’s all.”
“Yeah.” Mike tapped a pen against the desk. “Enough about me. What’s going on with you and Nicole?”
“We’re having fun together. Well, we would be if everything in her life weren’t so screwed up,” Sam muttered.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Fun.”
“Yeah. She’s fun. We have a good time.”
“And that’s all.”
“Can we not do this?” Sam asked.
“Like I didn’t want to do it when you went after me about Cara? What are you doing, man? I’ve never seen you so protective over a woman. From the first minute you laid eyes on her, you were different.”