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At one time, he’d have sold his soul for this woman, but he’d been young then and he’d thought his world had ended in high school when she broke up with him. When she’d returned a few months ago, he’d stupidly attempted another shot with her, but she wasn’t interested. If he’d been honest with himself ahead of time, neither was he. Ego had him seeing if he could tempt her.
Now they were just good friends with a business relationship thrown in on the side. “There was no reason for you to get up early. I’m the landlord. I have a key,” he said.
“Don’t remind me,” a familiar male voice muttered, as Faith’s new husband walked in.
“Ethan,” Nick said, sticking his hand out to shake his hand.
Ethan Barron didn’t like Nick all that much, and though the feeling had been mutual, Nick was forced to admit to having developed a wary respect for the man. Ten years had passed since Ethan’s parents died and he’d left his brothers to foster care. He’d recently returned to town, incredibly wealthy and as much of a puzzle as he’d been as a troubled kid.
However, he was trying to fix things with his siblings, and he’d definitely won over Faith. For her sake, Nick was trying to give him a chance.
“Thanks for getting things fixed right away,” Ethan said, shaking Nick’s hand.
“Not a problem. The heating company will be here soon. You’re their first stop.”
Faith glanced between the two men and beamed, her smile bright.
“What?” Nick asked her.
“You two. Getting along so well.” She tossed her large bag onto her desk and looked at her husband. “Don’t you have to drive to Manhattan for a meeting?”
Ethan nodded, his eyes dark and hooded, and focused on Nick. “I’ll leave when he does.”
Faith rolled her eyes. “And I spoke too soon. Nick isn’t interested in anyone but Kate. Isn’t that right, Nick?”
“Jesus,” Nick muttered. “Is nothing private?”
“In this town or between those two women?” Ethan asked of Faith and her best friend.
Nick managed a laugh, though he wasn’t thrilled to know he’d been their subject of conversation.
“Get used to it,” Ethan said. He stepped up to his wife, slid his hand behind her neck, and pulled her in for a long kiss.
One that made Nick uncomfortable to witness but not because he was jealous. At all. He meant it when he said any old feelings were long gone.
Nick cleared his throat, and Ethan turned his head and glared. “You have someplace to be,” Nick reminded Ethan just to annoy him.
Ethan scowled, kissed Faith once more, and started for the door. “You sure you have a ride home?”
She nodded. “Kate’s picking me up after school and taking me home. I’ll see you tonight.” She placed a hand on his shoulder.
While the newlyweds said their final goodbyes and Faith walked Ethan out, Nick’s thoughts turned back to Kate and how to get the schoolteacher to take him more seriously.
“I’m back,” Faith said, breaking into his thoughts when she returned. “You and Ethan really need to learn to get along.”
“We get along fine.” For two guys who’d never been friends. “Besides, we just like getting under each other’s skin. He knows I have no interest in you other than friendship.”
“Men,” she muttered, sitting on the corner of her desk. “So it’s all fixed?” She gestured to the wall shelves.
“Yes. Just keep the lighter items on that particular section, just in case,” he said of accessories she stocked for her customers. “Did anything break?”
“Just one piece. I can absorb the loss… thanks to you giving me your whole new house to decorate!” Her voice rose in excitement. “I owe you so much. First, renting me this space, then hiring me as a decorator. You’re a good friend, Nick.”
He shook his head. “Who else would I hire? You know me as well as anyone.”
“Well, if there’s anything I can do for you...”
With her words, an idea settled in his brain. “If you mean that, you can put in a good word for me with Kate.”
