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Joshua took off his tie, reclined his seat a few inches and sighed deeply as he stretched out his legs. “If you had told me six months ago that I’d be getting married soon, I’d have said you were crazy.” He shook his head, but he seemed more smug than reflective.
Jake swiped his credit card and waited for the arm to raise. “What does it feel like?” he asked, easing out into the traffic. “Knowing that you’ve found someone for a life partner? Isn’t it scary? What if you’ve made a mistake?”
“I know the statistics. But I also know Sophie. I didn’t even realize I had been waiting for someone like her. She argues with me and pushes me and makes me a better person. Plus, she’s hot as hell. Not that I’m bragging.”
Jake horse laughed, wiping his eyes with one hand. “Of course you’re bragging. That’s what a groom is expected to do.”
“And what about you and Nikki and Emma?”
Josh shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road. “Nikki and I are having dinner tomorrow night to talk about the situation.”
“A date?”
“Not a date.” The clarification was irritating, mostly because he had asked himself the same question a dozen times.
“What are you going to say? About the daddy thing, I mean.”
Jake rotated his shoulders. He felt as tight as if he had been driving for hours. “I’m not sure. I don’t think I can walk away from my own flesh and blood.”
Several seconds passed. Long, suddenly awkward seconds.
Joshua ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Not to belabor the point, bro, but you did before. I can understand where Nikki is coming from. She wants to protect her daughter from getting hurt.”
Suddenly, all the warm fuzzies Jake had been feeling as he reconnected with his twin evaporated. Was he always going to be the bad guy? Was there nothing he could do to make up for his fifteen-year hiatus? Nikki insisted she had changed, but did no one entertain the possibility that Jake might be changing, too?
He reached for the radio and tuned it to a station that played current music. It wasn’t long before Joshua was snoring.
It was just as well. Jake knew where he stood now. He was always going to be on the outside looking in, wishing for something he couldn’t even name...
Nikki worked the eight-to-four shift on Saturday, then rushed home to shower and change. Emma was pouty because her mom was leaving again, but it couldn’t be helped. And, honestly, except for work, Nikki seldom left her daughter to go out. Mommies had needs, too.
She gave herself a mental slap. Tonight wasn’t about a single mother’s needs. She and Jake were getting together to discuss his role in Emma’s life, her future.
The red sweater and black skirt, both newly mended, gave Nikki’s confidence a boost. She paired the outfit with spiky black heels and silver snowflake earrings. Her black wool coat was at least seven years old, but it had classic lines. The forecast called for spitting snow, so she had no choice but to dress for the cold.
Roberta had been with Emma during the day, but Nella came over at five thirty to help with Emma’s dinner and stay until Nikki returned.
“Enjoy yourself, Ms. Reardon,” she said. “I brought stuff to do when Emma is in bed. If you’re late, it won’t matter. I’ll doze on the sofa.”
“Thanks,” Nikki said, hoping her cheeks weren’t as red as her sweater. “Text me if you need anything. And I’ll check in with you a time or two.” When the doorbell rang, Nikki kissed her daughter. “Be good, sweetheart. You and I will spend the day together tomorrow, I promise. Bye, Emma.”
When she went through the house to the front door, she slipped her arms into her coat, then picked up her cell phone and purse. Jake wasn’t coming in. Not with a babysitter who might or might not gossip.
As she pulled open the door, she smoothed a flyaway strand of hair. “Hi, there. I’m ready.” Though she thought she was prepared, the sight of him made her weak. Those beautiful greenish-hazel eyes. The tousled hair. Broad shoulders. Flat belly. She felt the zing between them and forced herself not to react.
He blinked when he saw her, as if he, too, felt something. She saw the muscles in his throat work. “You look nice, Nik. I hope I didn’t rush you too much.”
“Not at all. Actually, I’m starving.” They were back to being polite again. She hated it. At least when they fought, they were honest with each other. Now she felt the need to guard her words to preserve the peace.
Jake had suggested eating at the restaurant in his hotel. Nikki looked it up online while she was getting ready. It was one of the top-rated eateries in Falling Brook. Upscale. Jackets and ties required.
The fact that Jake had a king-size bed a few floors above was incidental.
“How was the bachelor party?” she asked when they were in the car.
Watching Jake’s capable hands on the wheel made her tummy feel funny. Sexual attraction.Animal attraction. She recognized it for what it was, just like she had recognized it that night in Atlantic City. No point in denying the truth. But her physical response to Jake complicated the conversation about Emma.
When he helped her out of the car at the hotel, he put his hand under her arm momentarily. She came close to leaning into him the way she used to when they were together as teenagers, but she stopped herself.
