AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Now he was back in New Jersey. What was his next step?
Emma complicated the outcome. Enormously.
Maybe Jake could be a lover, but not a dad. It was painful to admit.
He exhaled and told himself no man ever died from unfulfilled lust. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Would popcorn make you feel better?”
His nose twitched, already imagining the scent. “With real butter?”
“Sure.”
He followed her into the kitchen. Nikki’s body language was wary, as if she knew he was on a short fuse. As he watched, she pulled out an old-fashioned aluminum popper. She added oil, seasoning and kernels, then put a chunk of butter in a tiny pan and set it to low.
Her small dinette chair was barely big enough to support his weight. He sat, anyway, his knee bouncing under the table with nervous energy.
When there was nothing to do but wait, she joined him, her body language guarded.
Jake plowed ahead. “What shall we talk about?”
Nikki shrugged. “You first.”
“Will your mom want to go back to Falling Brook now that money won’t be an issue?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.”
“I guess she’s made friends here.”
“Not really. We’ve moved around a lot, at least we did before Emma was born. For years, we used my mother’s maiden name. A dozen different apartments. A dozen not-so-legal leases. She was terrified that someone would recognize her from the news.”
“That’s understandable.” Wasn’t that why Jake, himself, had fled?
The sound of the first pops ricocheted in the small room.
Nikki jumped to her feet. “You want wine?”
“Coke goes with popcorn. If you have any...”
She cocked her head. “Jake Lowell is asking for a sugary soft drink?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s been a stressful week. I think I’m entitled.”
“That’s an understatement, for sure. Here you go.” She got a can and handed it to him, then reached up into the cabinet for bowls. “I’ll let you salt yours how you like it.”
“Thanks.” The fact that Nikki’s brief, light touch affected him so deeply meant he was in real trouble.
Moments later they were enjoying their snack in silence.
His throat tightened. “Your turn,” he said gruffly.
“I’m surprised you’re willing to answer questions.”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Fifteen years ago, it was like you disappeared off the face of the earth.”
The tops of his ears got hot. “It wasn’t that extreme,” he said, feeling guilty all over again. “I sent the occasional text or email to my brothers. First question, please.”
