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“It’s tough. But I keep telling myself it’s only a few more months.” Brooke leaned across the kitchen counter. “After that the real fun begins.” She was studying for her degree in Veterinarian Technology. All her life she’d dreamed of working with animals. Before she became pregnant with Nick, she’d been offered a coveted place in Vet school, but having a baby had put an end to all those plans. Ally was so proud of her friend for going back to study, with a plan to become a Veterinarian Technologist – not quite a Vet, but the job was still made for Brooke. Ever since they were kids she’d been obsessed by animals.
Ally turned on the coffee machine and listened as the water tank began to heat up, steam making it rattle. She was caught up thinking about the fact that the elevator would be repaired soon and she’d be able to move back home in two days time. The thought didn’t excite her as it would have done a couple of days ago.
“There were a few voicemail messages on your home phone for you,” Brooke said as Ally passed her a mug of coffee. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to listen to them or not. But then I was worried they might be important.” She gave Ally a soft smile. “They were all from your dad.”
Ally bit down on her lip and winced. The skin there was still tender from this morning. “I finally remembered to unblock him,” she said. “He left a voicemail on my phone. I’ll call him back over the weekend.”
“Good idea,” Brooke said, raising her eyebrows. “You don’t want to ruin your alone time with Nate.”
Great minds thought alike.
“So, are you going to answer my questions or what?” Brooke asked. “I need all the details about you and Nate. I’m living my life vicariously through you. I can’t remember the last time I was even asked out, let alone did anything exciting with a guy.”
“Your mom tries to set you up all the time,” Ally pointed out. “Wasn’t she pestering you to go out with some lawyer the other week?”
“I’m really not interested in her friends’ sons.” Brooke wrinkled her nose. “I can see it now. Breakfast appointments at the salon, lunch with the Women’s League at the Beach club. Evenings entertaining whatever clients my husband is desperate to land.” She shuddered. “There’s no way I’m turning into my mom.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Ally grinned. “And since you’re clearly going through some kind of crisis, I’ll answer one question and one question only.”
“That’s a lie. You’re dying to tell me all about him.”
Ally held her finger up. “One.”
Brooke laughed. “Okay, okay,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Give me a minute to think about it.” After a moment she lifted her head up and smiled. “Okay, I got it.”
Ally sighed. “Why do I not like the sound of this?” All those times she’d been the interrogator and it had been Brooke or Ember with wide eyes beneath the bright light of her scrutiny – she’d never thought the situation would be reversed.
“It’s not that bad. But I’m really curious now,” she said, biting her lip to stifle her smile. “What’s the best position to have sex with your leg covered in a plaster cast?”
Ally sighed, deciding to brave it out. “Every position you can imagine,” she told her friend. “I’d hate to choose between them.”
22
Nate flicked at the button on his dashboard to accept the incoming Bluetooth call. “Hello?” he answered, pulling the Lexus into the parking lot opposite the coffee shop. There were only a few cars scattered here and there this early in the morning. Mostly business owners and surfers – everybody else was still tucked up in bed.
“Hello, stranger. Long time no talk.” Kirsten’s warm tones came down the line. “I was beginning to think I didn’t have a brother.”
“Sorry.” He winced, even though she couldn’t see him. “Things got kind of hectic around here.” He glanced at the clock on the dash. It was right before seven. Enough time to open up and get himself ready for his video meeting later today with his investors. “What time is it there?” he asked as he pulled into a space.
“Almost ten. I just finished my first lecture. I figured I have enough time to grab coffee and ream you out for not calling me.”
“What coffee did you get?”
She laughed. “That’s such a you question. I got an Americano with room because I’m not loving the way they make cappuccinos at this place. When are you going to open up a Déjà Brew in Boston?” She paused, and Nate could hear her take a sip of her drink. “It’s the home of coffee. We need you here.”
“Seattle’s the home of coffee, and we’ve already got shops there.”
“Six hundred thousand Bostonites would beg to differ.”
He flicked the ignition off and rolled his neck. Christ he was tired. And too old to be getting by on only a couple of hours sleep two nights in a row.
But damn was it worth it.
He smiled, thinking of the way Ally had looked as he left her this morning. All sated and warm and everything he’d dreamed of. It had taken an act of will to leave her and actually drive to work.
“So, I texted Riley last night and she told me she’s in L.A.,” Kirsten said, bringing Nate out of his thoughts. “I feel like I’m out of the loop. The last time we talked she was grounded. So what’s she doing there and how come you let her go?”
“One, she’s on a field trip. Two, because I’m the world’s best father.”
