AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hurting them? She rubbed the back of her neck to alleviate the kinks forming. Her pulse beat madly, a cold sensation swirling inside her. She hadn’t experienced firsthand, but read about how powerful postpartum depression could be—assuming that’s what Violet experienced. “I know,” she said. “You’re a great mom, Violet, and I’m glad you’re getting help. We are all rooting for you. You’ll pull through this, my friend.”
“Thanks. I haven’t called Lara or Brit, and am not really in the mindset for talking a lot right now.”
“May I ask… why did you confide in me and call me now?”
“I know how you don’t like being kept in the dark, so I had to call you.”
Her heart squeezed. Her friend wanted to make sure she knew she wasn’t abandoning her or their friendship. Hell, she wasn’t leaving anyone, not permanently. But Violet’s sensitive nature knew how Nikki felt about people coming in and out of her life. She drew in a breath, wishing she could hug Violet more than ever. “I love you, Vi.”
“Me too,” she said, her voice wavering. Then, she heard the clearing of a throat. “Listen, I gotta go. I’ll keep in touch. Thanks for everything.”
She sat on the step, her legs still wobbly from the conversation. She’d tell Lara and Brit about the phone call later—but definitely not her kids. Damian would handle the kids for sure. A sense of belonging spread through her. She’d always appreciated Violet as a friend, but when did she think she’d remember her needs even in such a horrific time? Violet loved her, just like her other friends. Tulip was her home.
She stood and was about to turn around when she saw Cole’s car parking in her driveway. She squinted at the lights, tilting her head to the side. Weird. He hadn’t told her anything about coming for a visit today. What was he doing here?
She bit back a smile. Surprising me. She usually hated surprises, but how could she resist that handsome man sliding out of his ridiculously expensive car and flashing her a smile that softened her bones? She finger-combed her hair, wishing she’d removed the silly flamingo apron before receiving that call.
“Wasn’t expecting you here tonight. Any problems with the project?” she asked. When she’d told her grandma about the news, she’d been overjoyed. She’d get to keep her friends and see her granddaughter and great-grandsons often. The other residents too showed excitement and appreciated her soldiering for them—a rumor she was sure her grandma had confirmed behind the scenes.
“No. But this apron is the proof I needed to know for sure I made the right the decision.”
She chuckled. “I’m sorry I don’t buy off Madison Avenue like your past girlfriends,” she said, keeping a light tone.
“You could, you know. Buy on Madison Avenue,” he said, the contours of his face softening.
“What do you mean?” She shifted her weight from foot to foot. Did he intend on taking her on a trip to the East Coast she didn’t know about?
He caressed her forearm, his fingers making invisible circles on her skin. Goose bumps rose on her flesh, and she straightened her shoulders. She doubted he meant the comforting caress to arouse her, but it totally did. She glanced around them and waved at Mrs. Farrow who walked her dog down the street.
“Another trip?” she asked.
“One without a return ticket,” he said. “My father offered to sell me the stocks to the company, but I need to move to New York to manage everything.”
“New York?” Her stomach sank to the ground. “But you have a home in L.A.”
“That I will keep.”
“Oh.”
“Nikki, I’d love you and the boys to move with me to New York. There’s a lot of great schools they can go to, and culturally, they’ll be exposed to so much. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Once in a lifetime? Frustration knotted her throat. She tried to swallow, but her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Finally, she cleared her throat, his proposal still fogging her brain. “But not their father. I can’t uproot and move the boys away from Luke.” One, Luke would certainly never agree. And two, she wouldn’t be selfish enough to do it. Heck, she always complained her parents didn’t care for her. How could she prevent her kids from having both parents in the same city, close enough to attend weekend soccer games?
“Maybe there’s a way around it. I can talk to Luke, make him an offer.”
Did he just talk like her ex was a stubborn business person? She crossed her arms over her chest. Maybe she’d been wrong about Cole being a good guy—if he didn’t see how her moving to New York with him would hurt the kids, he didn’t get her at all. Disappointment flushed through her, heating her skin. “Are you talking about buying his agreement?”
“No. I meant I could sign a contract stating that I’d buy the boys tickets every other weekend to come see him or the other way around. I’d never want to keep your kids from their dad.”
Holy shit. Couldn’t Cole see what his father was doing? Trying to control him one more time. Or maybe…. Fear tightened her heart, making each beat slower and long. Her pulse floated to her ears, the drumming sound menacing her every passing second. What if this was him too? What if Cole was exactly like his father whether he acknowledged it or not? “Is that why you drove all the way here?”
“Yes.”
“To come and change my life overnight simply because you want your daddy to like you,” she said, not caring for the venom in her words.
A bob made its way down his throat. He stepped closer, but she lifted her hand for him to stay put. “Don’t be unfair, Nikki,” he said. A twinge of sadness darkened his eyes. “I love you.”
Oh, how she’d have died to hear those words under different circumstances. She bit the inside of her cheek, uncrossing her arms. Be strong. What did words mean if he couldn’t back them up? Her parents had told her they loved her many times, but the way they neglected her and her feelings showed otherwise. “Cole, I can’t leave. Tulip is my home. My work, my friends, my grandma are here—you know, the one I fought for?”
