She poked him. “No. Roger’s daughter.”
He turned to face her, eyes gentle despite the abrupt wake-up. “What’s going on?”
“Everyone was so nice about my birthday. Brayden offered me a protein cutlet to counteract the sugar so I didn’t go into crash mode.”
“A cutlet?”
“He made a paste out of protein powder and nutritional yeast, then shaped it like a cartoon pork chop and air-dried it.”
Nico made a face. “That sounds more like a threat than an expression of acceptance.”
“My point is that I’m playing with these people’s emotions and now I feel bad.” She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. “And, yes, probably I should have been feeling bad before this, but better late than never.”
“You can always stop,” he said. “No one will blame you.”
“Then I’ll feel bad for failing Roger! I’m always going to feel bad.”
“Does it help to know that right now, Roger can’t trust anyone? If you find out who knew about Yvette and his daughter, it will make a huge difference to him. He’ll have a family.” Nico paused. “At least he’ll have a chance to try.”
“I know, but…” Her voice trailed off.
“I don’t think you’re a bad person for doing this. It matters.”
“Thanks, Nico.” She did feel better. She liked being validated.
“You’re welcome.”
“I jumped right into angst and didn’t say good morning.” She leaned over and rubbed against him to see his eyes flutter, then widen as she guided his hand over her waist.
“Good morning.” It had been his voice that first attracted her, and it still did things to her, especially low and rough like this. He pulled her underneath him and kissed her temple. “What time is it?”
“Early. Time to get up and greet the world.”
He slid his hand between them. “That can wait.”
Valerie suspected this was the first time in Nico’s life he was reluctant to jump up and take advantage of the day, and that was good for her ego. Once he’d left her panting and so relaxed all she wanted was to return to sleep, then have another go, he gave her a final kiss and climbed down the ladder to where his clothes lay neatly folded on a chair.
“Want to come swimming?”
She roused herself to gaze over the edge of the loft. “No, but I want to watch you swim.”
“You know the chances seeing a water snake are almost zero.”
“I’m no mathematician, but I believe almost zero is not zero.”
They decided to head to the kitchen first. Valerie had wondered if the Badgertons would comment on their shifting relationship status, since what Nico had done for her birthday clearly went beyond colleague territory, but the most she’d had to endure were Fernie congratulating her on a nice pull and Penny’s pinched expression. When they’d passed Roger on the way to the lake, he’d given Valerie a smile that indicated that he approved or, at least, didn’t care. Out of courtesy, they were careful about continuing to act professional around the others, although it didn’t stop her from brushing her hand down his back to feel the warmth of his skin before they went in.
They found Penny pacing, phone in one hand. She gave them a distracted wave and moved away from where Jenn was making tea.
“Is everything okay?” Valerie asked Jenn.
She sighed. “Some bad news. Helena Reeves passed away.” Valerie accepted the mug of green tea she offered, although she didn’t want it. She couldn’t refuse when Jenn had been kind enough to think of her.
“Who’s Helena Reeves?” she asked.
“She’s been living here for ages and used to teach boating at the marina. She’s over eighty, and she was ill for a while, so it’s not a shock, although a surprise.” She looked up when Penny returned. “Penny, want some green tea? It has calming properties.”
“God, none of your grassy muck. I remember when you drank coffee like normal people.” Penny ran a hand through her short blond bob. “Oh, hello, Nico. Shouldn’t you be helping Roger? Valerie, you’re the person I need. Did Jenn tell you about Helena?”
