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CHAPTER 1
TheFloridasunbeganits descent towards the horizon, casting hues of pink and orange across the sky, painting a beautiful but bittersweet scene outside Nicky’s window. Inside, she sat in the living room of her cozy Miami home, her heart fluttering with a mix of emotions. She’d just started the adoption process, determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.
Nicky looked at her wristwatch. It was almost time for her husband, Eric Rogers, to arrive home. He’d been away on another business trip for nearly fifteen days. Eric was more away on business than he was at home these days. Nicky let out a breath as nerves gripped her, and her eyes fell on the forms on the coffee table in front of her.
They were the adoption papers. Nicky had completed what she could and now needed Eric’s signature. With him away so much these past few months, she’d taken the initiative to start the process on her own. She took a sip of the smooth merlot she held in a hand that shook slightly and smiled when her four-year-old basset, Belvedere, gave a low moan and adjusted his head on her lap.
“I wish I could just put my head on a warm lap and have all my troubles dissolved by someone stroking my hair.” Nicky laughed as he wiggled his head, nuzzling her free hand to get more attention.
“I’m back.” Eric’s voice jolted her heart and elicited a head lift and bark from Belvedere.
“I’m in the living room,” Nicky called. “I’m having a glass of wine. Would you like one?”
Eric walked in, loosening his tie as he stopped near where she was sitting and shook his head.
“No, thank you,” Eric replied. “I think I’m going to have a shower.” He sniffed the air. “What are you cooking?”
“I thought I’d make your favorite pot roast,” Nicky answered.
“I wish you’d told me you were cooking,” Eric said. “Then I wouldn’t have stopped to grab a bite to eat on my way home.”
“Oh!” Nicky’s heart dropped as she saw his drawn features.
He was tired from traveling, and she knew that look. It meant he wouldn’t be in the mood for heavy conversation. He would climb into bed after his shower, put the television on, and watch the news until he fell asleep.
“I’m sorry, Nicky,” Eric said, blowing out a breath. “I’m exhausted.”
“I can see that.” Nicky gave him a tight smile.
She gently pushed Belvedere from her lap, leaned forward, and placed her wine glass on the coaster on the coffee table. Nicky picked up the adoption forms and stilled her beating heart. She knew that when he went to have his shower, he wouldn’t discuss anything after that, and she wasn’t going to wait another day to discuss it.
“Eric,” Nicky said, holding his gaze with hers. “We have something to discuss, and I’m sorry. I know you’re tired, but I’m tired of you constantly not having time to discuss the matter with me.”
“Matter?” Eric’s eyes narrowed as they fell on the documents she cradled to her chest as she stood. “What matters do we have to discuss?”
His six-foot frame seemed broader. Nicky’s eyes traveled over his torso, noting how his shirt strained over his muscles, and she frowned.
“Have you been working out?” Nicky asked him, her frown deepening when she noticed that the gray streaks that had been forming in his hair were all gone. “And you dyed your hair?”
“Nicky, you know I have to look good for my job,” Eric said impatiently. His eyes dropped to the documents once again. “What is it you want to discuss?”
His eyes narrowed to slits and were filled with suspicion as they met hers.
“I need you to sign these forms.” Nicky handed them to him. “I started the adoption process this week.”
“Why would you do this without consulting me?” Eric’s voice turned cold, and his eyes blazed with anger. “It’s not something you had the right to start behind my back. It’s a decision we both needed to make and be in agreement about before starting the process.”
“I’ve tried talking to you about it for months, Eric. You’re always away, and every time I bring it up, you brush me off,” Nicky responded, her voice trembling with hurt over his reaction and frustration.
“You know I’m busy with work,” he retorted, his anger intensifying. “You also know how I feel about adoption!” He seethed and shoved the documents in her face. “Did you think by blindsiding me with this, it would change my mind?”
“I’d hoped that you would finally consider it now that the proceedings have been started.” Nicky kept her voice level and curled her nails into the soft flesh of her palm to steady her emotions. “Filling in a few forms is not committing to anything.”
“Oh really?” Eric hissed and shuffled through the papers in his hand. “As soon as you hand this document in, we start getting vetted.” His eyes turned even stormier. “Next thing, our lives will be sifted through with a fine-tooth comb.”
“So?” Nicky’s face scrunched into a scowl. “We have nothing to hide!”
“That’s not the point!” Eric raised his voice and dumped the documents on the coffee table. “You want kids so badly—“ He cut his words off and glared at her. “You adopt them on your own.” His hands clenched into fists. “I’m done!”
