Perfect Together (25 page)

“I’ve missed hanging out with you.” She smiled, but the emotion didn’t reach her eyes.

“Okay, talk to me. What’s wrong?” He covered her hand with his.

It wasn’t just that she’d lost weight or her skin was pale. Dark circles shadowed beneath her eyes and she lacked the vibrancy he usually associated with Cara. “You still don’t feel well?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No.” She gestured to the tea in a cup in front of her, a decaffeinated wrapper lying beside it.

Sam gestured to the waitress. “Coffee, please,” he said, before refocusing on Cara.

This illness had been going on too long, reminding him of when his sister had had a never-ending stomach bug before discovering she was pregnant. He wondered if the problem was that basic.

He leaned in close. “You know, the last woman who didn’t feel well for so long was Erin, and she turned out to be—”

“Don’t
say it!” Cara said, cutting him off with a wave of her hand.

Sam narrowed his gaze. “Is that it? Are you pregnant?”

She shrugged. “I’m afraid to find out,” she admitted in a half-whisper.

“That’s not like you. And it makes no sense. You’re married. You’re happy. In love, yes?”

She nodded, blue eyes wide . . . but not happy.

Which was crazy. Of all the women he knew, she’d make the best mother. She worked with abused women at a shelter and had a huge heart. Not to mention, Cara faced life and problems head-on.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

She opened and closed her mouth, as if building up the courage to explain. “I’m worried about your brother.”

“What about him? He
loves
you.” Hell, Mike had fallen so hard for Cara, even Sam had been envious of the intensity between them, knowing he’d never have that for himself. “Not to mention he’s worried about you. He asked me to pump you for information, and that’s wrong. You need to talk to him.”

She sighed, her eyes sad. “But he took so long to come around to the idea of settling in Serendipity—with me—and when we talked about kids, it was in the future. A baby now wasn’t part of our plan.”

Sam shook his head at her attitude. “
Mike
wasn’t part of the plan for my mother. Angel wasn’t part of Erin and Cole’s plan. Life happens. You of all people know that. If you’re pregnant and he’s going to be a father? He’ll be thrilled because it’s with you.”

“You really think so?” she asked, her hand already cupping her belly in a protective gesture he’d seen with his sister.

“I
may not be an expert on love, but I know my brother. It’s going to be okay.”

She swallowed hard, eyes glistening. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m so emotional.” She wiped at her damp eyes.

Sam rolled his eyes. “Do you really need me to explain?”

That earned him a smile. “I probably don’t need to take that test,” she muttered. “But I will. I’ve been carrying two of them around with me for a week.”

He squeezed her hand. “That’s more like the Cara I know. Always prepared and ready for anything.”

“Well, I’d better be, right?” She glanced down at her stomach, hidden beneath baggy sweats, and her expression softened.

“Better?” he asked, hoping he’d helped her come to terms with things.

“Yeah. I’m glad we didn’t lose our friendship when I married your brother.”

“No chance of that happening.”

She smiled, seeming more at peace. “So I think I’m going to go home and do this before I lose my nerve,” she said.

He rose, as she stood. “Good luck.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek, watching as she made her way to the front door of the restaurant.

Sam headed out after her, arriving at work in time to discover there had been an assault downtown, and the case took over the rest of his week, including most nights. His hours were erratic, which meant he didn’t see Nicole despite living next door. She hadn’t called him in the time they’d been back, and he gave her the distance he assumed they both needed.

The natural separation ought to be a relief, given the
intensity of the weekend they’d spent together, but damned if he didn’t miss her. In a few short days, he’d grown accustomed to another warm body in his bed. He liked waking up to her snaked around him, as if they shared a twin bed instead of a double. He hadn’t even been bothered by her female stuff all over the bathroom, and his toothbrush at home looked lonely by itself.

Pathetic.

But true.

With work keeping Sam busy, he was grateful Mike
had taken charge of the situation with Tyler. He had a patrol car doing drive-bys of Nicole’s house and the bakery, where she was preparing for opening. He didn’t mention it to her. She was wary enough. But with the art show over, Serendipity had gone back to normal and anyone new would stand out. Tyler stayed in the city, catching up on work and taking the opportunity to look for evidence that could implicate his father or, even better, the bigger fish the feds were after. So all was quiet for now.

If and when things blew up, Mike would let Sam know to be ready.

Sam finally found time for himself late Saturday. Instead of heading home, he walked from the station to Nicole’s bakery.

The door was unlocked and he let himself in. The smell of fresh paint assaulted him first. A cheery yellow replaced the original gray, and a royal blue trim bordered the white ceiling. Both her and Lulu’s welcoming personalities were clear everywhere he looked. They’d accomplished a lot in a short time, and a feeling of pride filled him at the sight.

No
sooner had the bells rung overhead than Lulu greeted him at the entrance, her long gypsy skirt sweeping the floor as she walked. “Well, hello, handsome.”

He grinned at her lack of formality. “Hello to you too. How are things going?” he asked.

She smiled wide. “Amazing, as you can see. We’re on track for a grand opening in two weeks!”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m thrilled for you.”

She reached out and pinched his cheek. “I bet you are. Your girl is putting down roots here.”

His throat constricted as Lulu used the same words his brother had used recently to describe Nicole. “Where is she?” he asked, changing the subject.

“In the back. I was just heading out for the night. I’ll lock the door behind me.”

“Have a good one,” he said.

“You too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she said, laughing over her parting words.

Sam rolled his eyes. The Donovan family bred them bold and outspoken, he thought.

He walked through the back and into a small office and caught sight of Nicole, changing her clothing. He glimpsed her long legs and barely-there top.

“Hey,” he said, causing her to shriek and pull her miniskirt over her nearly naked body.

“Relax, it’s just me,” he reassured her.

“Oh my God! Aunt Lulu said she was leaving and would lock up behind her.” Nicole’s heart pounded a thousand miles an hour in her chest. “I thought I was alone.”

“She
sent me back to you,” Sam said.

His hot gaze traveled over her and her body reacted, her nipples tightening, her sex contracting.

“Well, I’m changing to go to Joe’s.” She waved her hand at him in a gesture indicating he should turn around.

“Oh, come on. I’ve seen you in less.” His sexy grin merely complemented his scruffy look. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and he only looked hotter.

She rolled her eyes and pulled on her skirt, then added a flowing tank top with ruffles at the bottom.

“You look as good in clothes as out.”

“Thank you. So what brings you by?” she asked casually, feeling anything but. Because she’d missed him. Badly.

He raised an eyebrow. “I came to see you,” he said, as if it were obvious. But it wasn’t. There’d been a sudden distance between them this week, reminding her not to get too attached.

He edged closer and she breathed in. The sheer male scent of him wreaked havoc with her hormones.

“It’s been a long week,” he said in a husky voice.

Didn’t she know it?

She cleared her throat. “It has, and I’ve been busy.” She’d returned to her new home and spent the week alternating her time between getting the bakery in order and decorating her house with her own touches. She didn’t have much downtime and fell into bed exhausted every night. Already she knew her life here in Serendipity would be full. But she’d missed him too much.

Considering she didn’t know if he felt the same, and feeling like he’d caused the separation, she wanted him to know she didn’t need him to be happy.

“Lulu and I ordered all our supplies; they’re due in early
next week. We’re planning a grand opening and I have to tell you, I have a really good feeling about this.” Not even her worries about them or even the reality of a daily four a.m. wakeup call brought down her anticipation about success.

“I’m glad.” He sounded . . . proud. “Tell me something. While you were busy being an entrepreneur, did you find any time to miss me?” He brushed her hair off her shoulder, and she trembled at his light touch.

For a woman who’d always considered herself independent, it threw her, just how often she’d thought of him. But since he obviously wasn’t pining over her, she’d decided to keep her own feelings locked up tight.

“I might have thought of you every so often,” she murmured.

“Then let me take you out for a nice dinner so we can catch up.”

She wished she could say yes, but she’d already made plans with Macy and she wouldn’t blow off a girlfriend for a guy. “I can’t. I’m meeting Macy at Joe’s. I was changing to head over there when you walked in.” She’d thought it would be easier to switch outfits here and walk down the street than to take the time to go home.

“I’m disappointed.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering. “But my case didn’t wrap up until a little while ago and I had no idea I’d be free.”

Her skin tingled where he touched her, and she curled her hands into fists. If she reached for him now, they’d christen her small desk and she really did have to go.

“Come by when you get home.” He curled his hand around the back of her neck, his touch electrifying her all the way to her toes.

“It
might be late.” Though she doubted it. Macy had to work the next day.

“I’ll be awake.” He tightened his grip and pulled her in for a real kiss.

His tongue slid into her mouth and tangled with hers. Her legs went weak and she leaned against him for support. Of course that aligned their bodies together and awakened her senses, reminding her of just how much she loved him.

Something she’d been deliberately suppressing all week. Something she wasn’t going to let herself revisit now. She curled her fingers into his shoulders and pushed back. “I’m going to be late.”

Disappointment flickered in his eyes, and after the week of no communication, no matter how legitimate, she took satisfaction in that. “See you later.”

She stashed her work clothes in the bag she’d brought and gathered her purse. “Ready? I need to lock up after us.”

He nodded, eyeing her as if trying to understand what was going on in her mind.
Good luck
, she thought. She was still trying to understand it herself.

Somehow Nicole and Macy snagged a private table
in a corner of Joe’s. Music played on the jukebox, but the murmur of the Saturday night crowd was loud and Nicole found it hard to process the music over the din.

“I should have eaten something more substantial than a couple of French fries for dinner. I’m buzzed from half a beer,” Macy said, eyeing the bottle.

“Good thing I’m driving home then.” Nicole took a sip of her soda. “I didn’t eat much either. I had a leftover sandwich in the fridge, but I didn’t take more than a few bites.” She’d paused to change clothes and then Sam had interrupted.

“What’s with the sour face?” Macy asked her.

Nicole sighed. “Not sour. Just confused.”

“Let me guess. It’s about a man. Or should I say the man?”

Leave it to Macy to cut right to the point
, Nicole thought
wryly. “It is.” Why bother lying? She needed a friend and she finally had a real one.

Macy shifted in her seat. “No confusion allowed,” she said, waving a hand in dismissal. “He’s into you. I’ve never seen Sam so into a woman before.”

Sara had said something similar. Nicole warmed at the thought and wished things were that simple. “But that doesn’t mean it’ll change the outcome.”

Macy took a long pull of her beer. “You never know. I’ve seen harder nuts than Sam crack. Just ask Cara. And Erin.” She grinned.

“I can’t control it, so I’m trying not to worry about it. It’s just not easy.”

Macy’s expression turned sympathetic. “I understand, which is why I have to talk to you about something.” Her gaze darted away . . . an unusual occurrence for a very direct woman.

Nicole leaned in close. “What’s up?”

Macy drew a deep breath, then let it out again. “What’s the story with you and Tyler? The real story.”

Nicole blinked, surprised at the subject. Although she shouldn’t have been. Macy’s interest in Tyler had been all too obvious.

“That was real subtle of me.” Macy let out a shaky laugh. “I know there are things you can’t tell me, and that’s okay. I just have to know . . . you and Tyler—”

“There is no me and Tyler.” Nicole reached out and grasped Macy’s hand, wanting to reassure her in every way possible. “Not in the romantic sense. I’m . . .” She looked Macy in the eye and prepared to bare her soul. “I’m totally and completely in love with Sam.” She shook her head at
herself. “And that wasn’t hard to say out loud. The point is, I have no hold on Tyler.”

Macy closed her eyes, her obvious embarrassment showing. She sat up suddenly, her gaze focused on Nicole. “So you don’t mind if I . . . if we . . .”

Admiring her ability to be direct, Nicole smiled and shook her head. “I’d be thrilled if he found someone to make him happy. It’d be even better for him if it was you.”

Macy exhaled hard and laughed. “Well, that was as awkward and as difficult as I thought it would be.”

“I can imagine.” Nicole leaned back in her seat, suddenly exhausted. “Aren’t we a pair?”