Get Bunny Love (29 page)

Deciding to chase her dream had filled her with light. Bright, vital life.

He turned back toward the street. Jimmy sat on the cycle, waiting. Nate climbed behind him, locking his arms around the man’s midsection.

As they took off into the city night, Nate realized he was chasing his dream—Bunny.

He’d never felt more alive. Or more terrified.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Jeremy gave Bunny a pensive look. “Sure you don’t want me to stay?”

She closed her eyes, leaning against the doorjamb. The last thing she needed was a McNulty in her apartment. She shook her head. “I’m okay, but thanks. I appreciate the ride home.”

“Won’t be the same without you around, Bunny.”

She forced a weak smile. Pain sliced through her heart. No more McNulty Events. No more Nate. No more bunny slippers wrapped around his waist. “I’ll be fine,” she lied.

She pushed the door closed, but pulled it open a crack when she realized Jeremy hadn’t walked away. He stood frowning, his features tight with worry. His intense gaze locked on Bunny. “Nate only knows how to play it safe. What happened tonight-”

“He’s a big boy,” Bunny interrupted. “What happened tonight proves he never planned to change.”

“You don’t know that.” Jeremy rubbed a hand through his hair.

Bunny’s throat tightened at the familiar gesture. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” Her heart ached. She wondered whether this was as bad as the pain would be, or if it would grow worse as each day passed.
Without Nate
.

“Give him a little time, Bunny.”

To do what? Break her heart again? She concentrated on not crying. “You should go now.” She closed the door, leaning her forehead against the cool wood.

She listened as Jeremy’s footsteps faded, letting a tear slip down her cheek. A second followed, then a third and fourth, until the torrent of unshed tears fell freely. She sank to the floor, pulling her knees tight to her chest.

Give him a little time, Bunny
.

She trembled, the ache in her heart deepening, growing. How did you give time to a man who had chosen a job over your heart?

A noise sounded from the second bedroom and Bunny stiffened.
Alexandra
. The last thing she needed was to have her mother find her in this state. She dragged a hand across her damp eyes and looked down the hall.

Her mother stared back, her face more serious than Bunny had ever seen it. She approached, sinking to the floor next to Bunny and pulling her into her arms.

“My baby,” Alexandra cooed. “Tell Momma what’s wrong.”

Momma
. Bunny’s tears flowed anew, a trickle of warmth replacing the chill in her heart. Alexandra’s gentle fingers stroked several stray hairs from her cheek, and Bunny relaxed into her mother’s touch, savoring the comfort.

“It’s all over.” Bunny forced the words through her sobs. “He fired me.”

Alexandra sank back onto her heels, scrutinizing Bunny with her pale, violet gaze. She shook her head. “Maybe he made a mistake.”

Nate’s angry words flashed through Bunny’s mind. “I don’t think so. He thinks I’m a creative menace.”

“Well, honey,” her mother gently lifted Bunny’s chin with her fingers, “I’ve called you worse on many occasions.”

The tease brought a smile to Bunny’s lips. “He and I are too different, Momma.”

The term of endearment obviously caught Alexandra off guard. She tensed momentarily then smiled. “My, that sounds nice.” She took Bunny’s hands in both of hers, her gaze pinning her daughter. “Opposites attract, dear. Just look at your sister, Vicki. Look at your father and me.”

Bunny shook her head. “You and Daddy have just spent the past five weeks apart and Vicki wouldn’t know creativity if it bit her in the-”

Her mother cut her off with a disapproving glare.

“She married the hair transplant king, for crying out loud,” Bunny muttered.

“Hair transplant king to the stars,” Alexandra corrected, referring to the family’s recent move to Los Angeles. “Now, that’s creative.”

The two shared a conspiratorial giggle, then settled into silence once more.

“Nate McNulty doesn’t have a creative bone in his body.” Bunny sniffed. “It’s over.”

“You might be surprised.” Alexandra patted Bunny’s knee. “I saw the way that young man looked at you the other night. Don’t give up on him just yet.” She pushed herself up to stand. “Just look at your father. He’s come up with an entire line of golf greeting cards.”

Incredulity washed through Bunny. “Daddy?”

“Daddy.” Her mother turned to head back to her bedroom. “We’re leaving for Florida tonight. You can paint your walls any color you like after I’m gone.”

Bunny sighed, taking in the expanse of eggshell that ran from the living room into the kitchen. Somehow the bland color summed up exactly how she felt. Flat, lifeless and heartbroken.

o0o

Nate held on for dear life as Jimmy’s motorcycle careened down Twelfth Street.

“Lean into the corner,” Jimmy yelled.

Nate followed the man’s lead, shifting his weight as they turned onto Locust. The familiar sensation sent a rush of adrenaline through his limbs. A sudden vision of riding with his father flashed through his mind.
Lean with me
, his father had yelled.
Lean with me
.

Tears stung at Nate’s eyes. He blinked them away. Must be the night air slipping around the goggles Jimmy had lent him.

Those long-forgotten afternoons had been heady ones—filled with thrills and laughter. He and Jeremy had taken turns riding, while their mother had watched, clapping—thrilled to see her boys chasing life.

Their happy family had been shattered not long after, on a hot, humid August afternoon. Nate’s parents had gone out on the bike, but they’d never come home. A violent late summer thunderstorm had ripped their world apart. Nate could still remember the state trooper’s voice—the way he enunciated the words—as if Nate and Jeremy wouldn’t understand.
Multiple vehicle accident. Multiple fatalities
.

He had since learned to live safely. Lord knew Aunt Martha had drummed it into his head over and over again. But tonight when he watched Bunny walk away, he realized he didn’t want to live safely anymore. Not if it meant living without Bunny.

“Next right,” he yelled in Jimmy’s ear.

The man nodded, smoothly navigating the corner.

Bunny’s building rose in the middle of the block. Nate’s chest tightened at the sight of Jeremy stepping out of the entry door. Nate pointed and Jimmy slowed the bike to a stop. Jeremy stood fists on hips as Nate climbed off the bike.

“Reliving your youth?” His brother’s features belied his attempt at levity, a grim expression overshadowing his words.

Nate pulled off the helmet. “I came for Bunny.”

Jeremy arched a brow as he shook his head. “I don’t think you’re on her list of favorite people right now.”

Nate stepped to the entryway and pressed the buzzer for Bunny’s apartment. Dead air responded. He pressed the button a second time. Still nothing. “Did you see her go in?” He turned to his brother.

“I walked her up.”

“Was she very upset?”

Jeremy laughed. “Was she upset? You fired her.” He stepped close. “What the hell were you thinking? Or were you doing what you were told to do?”

Nate swallowed down his anger. “I made a mistake.”

Genuine concern blazed in Jeremy’s eyes. “When are you going to start living your life instead of Aunt Martha’s?”

“Right now.”

“Good luck.” Jeremy shook his head. “You’re going to need it. You hurt her bad.” He jerked a thumb toward Bunny’s building. “Reminds me of Mom. You ever think that?”

On a daily basis
. “Sometimes.”

Jeremy looked down at the sidewalk then straight into Nate’s eyes. “You’d be a lucky man to find the kind of love Mom gave Dad.”

Nate let the words sink into his soul. “I know.”

Jeremy gripped his arm. “Then fight for her.”

“I have to get back,” Jimmy yelled. “You okay?”

Nate nodded. “Thanks.”

Jeremy dropped his hand from Nate’s arm and walked to his car, the headlights flashing as he depressed his key fob. “She’s one in a million. Don’t blow it.”

Nate watched the two drive off. His perfect brother in his European sedan. Jimmy Monroe straddling his Harley. Nate shook his head. Life had become anything but boring since Bunny had arrived on the scene.

He pressed the buzzer again, this time holding it down for several long seconds. Silence.

“Damn it, Bunny. Give me a chance.” Nate leaned his forehead against the brick. “You’ve got to let me explain.”

Then he did something he hadn’t done since his parents died. He prayed. If there was a God, He surely couldn’t intend for Nate to live his life without Bunny.

He pressed the buzzer again.

The intercom squawked in response. “
Go away
.”

Hope surged through his chest. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how I could have done what I just did. Please. Let me talk to you.”

Another squawk. A sniff. His heart caught.

“Leave me alone. I never want to see you again.”

“Give me a second chance.”

“Like you gave me?” Her words sliced through him. “You had your chance. Go away.”

“Bunny.” Silence. “Bunny!”

Someone grasped Nate’s shoulder. “You blew it, buddy.”

The cold reality of Bert’s words stunned him. “I know.”

A wild-looking brunette jumped in Nate’s face, jabbing a pale blue nail into his chest. “You’ve loved her since the moment she walked into your life, but she scares you, so you do this? You
suit
.”

He steeled himself defensively. “Who the hell are you?”

“This is Tilly,” Bert said. “My friend.”

“Friend?” The pixie spun on Bert.

Bert winced. “Can we argue semantics later? I thought our current focus was Bunny?”

His words worked. The sprite resumed her attack on Nate. “She makes you feel.” Another jab to his chest. “Right here. Admit it.”

“Yes.” Nate backed away from her finger, searching Bert’s face for support. “I can’t deny that.”

“Then how could you fire her?” Tilly’s green eyes were huge and wild.

“I made a mistake.” Nate sank to the step, lowering his face to his hands. “I screwed up.”

“Understatement of the century.” Bert shook his blonde head. “You just ruined the best thing in your life.”

Nate looked at the locked entry door. “She told me to go away.”

“And this surprises you?” Tilly snapped.

Bunny wouldn’t shut him out completely, would she? She wasn’t capable of such a heartless act. His heart sank. Like the one he’d pulled tonight. The weight of his loss settled heavily around his shoulders.

Bert and Tilly eyed him, waiting for a response.

“Please, help me.”

Tilly’s head snapped in a gesture of disgust. “You don’t deserve it.” She pushed him out of her way and inserted her key in the door. “And you don’t deserve her.”

“I’ll come with you.” Nate clamored to his feet, standing behind her. She spun around, fists planted on hips.

“No way. The Condo Board would kick me out on my psychic ass if I let you in.”

“Why? I’d be coming in as your guest.”

“Think again control boy.”

“Control boy?”

“Yeah, you think you can control everything around you.” She gestured wildly. Nate stepped clear. “Here’s a news flash. It’s all about karma, my friend, and right now, your karma needs a lot of help.”

“Then tell me what to do.” Nate’s pulse quickened. “Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.”

Tilly tapped her fingertips against her chin, scrutinizing him. She tipped her head first to one side, then the other, making a tsking noise with her mouth. She wrinkled her nose.

“What?” Nate gripped her elbows. “Tell me.”

Her nose wrinkle turned into a full facial scrunch. “You’re not ready.”

“I
am
ready.” He paused for a beat. “I’m ready for anything that will win her back.”

Tilly shook her head. “If you were ready, you wouldn’t
need
to win her back.”

Bert slapped him on the back. “Go home, Nate.”

“Why won’t you help me?” Nate scowled.

Bert’s features fell slack, defeated. “The truth? Right now I don’t like you a whole lot, but I’ll talk to her.” He pursed his lips before he continued, as if measuring his thoughts. “I’m not sure you deserve it.”

Need simmered in Nate’s gut. Desperate need. “Please.”

Tilly pulled open the front door. Bert gave Nate’s shoulder a slap as he stepped past, reaching for the door. Tilly moved close to Nate, standing on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Embrace the chaos.”

Nate eyed her disbelievingly. “If the past month of my life is any measure, I’ve embraced more than my share.”

Tilly pursed her lips, shaking her head. “You think too much.” She pinned Nate with her green gaze. He shivered. “And you worry about what other people think.” Another jab to his chest. “Stop thinking and start feeling.”

He stood alone on the sidewalk, looking up at Bunny’s building for a long time after they went inside. His head hurt, his stomach churned and his heart ached. If he felt anything else, he’d need a doctor.

He walked toward the Parkway, letting Tilly’s words rattle through his brain.
Embrace the chaos
. She was right. If he’d done that, he might have laughed at tonight’s events.

Okay, he would have never laughed. But he might have been a bit more forgiving.

“My dog!” an elderly male voice rang out. “Please. Grab my dog.”

An orange fur ball shot past Nate’s feet, followed by a medium-sized gray dog. Toenails scraped against the sidewalk as the pair dashed toward the intersection. Startled, Nate dropped to his knees and whistled. The dog stopped, turning his head. An orange cat made a quick zig, disappearing down an alley.

“Come.” Nate held out a hand. “I won’t hurt you.”

The short-haired dog approached cautiously, dragging his leash. He sniffed Nate’s hand then gave his fingertips a slurp. Nate chuckled, capturing the leash in his free hand.