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“Your father, myself, and Nelly have been wracked with guilt since that day,” Pat’s voice was barely a whisper.
A stillness settled over them. All eyes rested on the tiny life sleeping peacefully in Pat’s arms. Nicky realized the poignant twist of fate in the situation.
CHAPTER 11
Ithadbeentwodays since Mike and Harry had left Marco Island, and he was itching to get back there. He missed Jade, Riley, and Nicky. A smile split his lips, thinking about their kiss, and his breath caught in his throat. She was like no one he’d met before. He’d known it since they were teenagers, and he’d first seen her curled up in an armchair in his uncle’s bookstore.
“What’s up with you, man?” Harry hit his hand on the table, jolting Mike from his thoughts and landing him back in the restaurant where they were having dinner. “You’ve been all—” He eyed Mike curiously. “Weird since we left Marco Island.”
“I’m just excited to get back there and start a new chapter in mine and Jade’s life,” Mike lied.
“Uh-huh!” Harry nodded. “You seem to forget I’ve known you most of your life, and I can tell when something is up with you.” He raised an eyebrow. “And something’s definitely up with you.”
“I’m just relieved that the sale of my business has been finalized.” Mike leaned back in his chair. “And I’m worried about leaving Jade alone.”
“Trust me, Sam has kept me updated, and the girls are having a great time,” Harry said, grinning. “They went horseback riding yesterday and said it was so great not to hold back because of you,” he teased Mike.
“Nice!” Mike gave his friend a black look. “I’m glad they’re having a nice time. It’s a relief.”
“I have to take my hat off to you, man,” Harry admitted. “You stepped into fatherhood not once but twice.” He raised his beer in salute. “Sam and I are so proud of how you’ve helped Nicky with Riley.”
“Thanks,” Mike said, his heart doing that flip thing it did at the thought or mention of Nicky. “It’s been life-changing my journey with Jade and now Riley.”
“Yeah, life’s funny that way,” Harry said. “Just when you think you have it figured out, it changes course, and suddenly, you’re floating down rapids totally out of control once again.”
“I couldn’t have put that better.” Mike raised his glass and chinked it with Harry’s.
“So, when are you going to reveal your big secret to Nicky?” Harry asked.
“The day of the book launch?” Mike pulled a face.
“As your best friend and knowing how you feel about her, even if you won’t admit it, I have to advise you against that,” Harry said. “Nicky’s been through alotwith her ex, according to Sam. Which leads me to believe she might see your secret as a betrayal.”
“A betrayal?” Mike looked at him, confused.
“You just springing your secret on her on the day of the grand opening and big book launch at your new joint business venture together is not a way to build a trusting partnership,” Harry warned him. “That goes for a business, friendship, or relationship type of partnership.”
“I’ll tell her when I get back,” Mike promised, taking what Harry said to heart, and he was right.
Over the past four weeks, as Mike and Nicky fixed up the bookstore and looked after Riley, they’d grown closer and gotten to know each other. Nicky had opened up to him about her ex-husband.
“There you are,” a female voice that made the hairs at the back of his neck stand on end and his heart stop, came from behind him.
“Uh-oh!” Harry murmured. “Cruella de Ville alert.” He looked at Mike. “By Cruella, I mean your ex-fiancée is heading our way.”
“I got it!” Mike assured him.
“Hello darling,” Gill Parson greeted Mike, bending down to kiss his cheek. “Your secretary told me you were here.”
“Executive assistant,” Harry corrected Gill and received a scathing look from her.
“Hello, Harry,” Gill said flippantly.
“Hello, Gill.” Harry’s voice dripped with ice.
“Can you bring an extra chair?” Gill rudely stopped a server and demanded.
“We’re nearly finished and are getting ready to leave,” Mike told her.
