Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
He rolled his eyes. “Because you and Cole did so well in the beginning? Besides, I told you I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just complicated.”
A wide smile took hold. “If ending up like Cole and me is your final destination, then you go ahead and screw up now as much as you want.”
He growled at her in a way he hadn’t since they were kids. When she was little, she’d run screaming.
Now? She merely laughed.
“What was that for?” she asked.
“You nailed the issue on the head. I don’t want to end up in a serious relationship.”
“And she does?” Erin studied him with her perceptive hazel eyes, so like his own.
“I didn’t think so when we started. Now I’m not so sure.”
“Huh.” Erin sighed. “Well, then, here’s what you should do.”
He leaned in, grateful for any advice that could help him keep Nicole in his life and not be tied in knots.
“It’s simple,” his sister said. “Just say uncle now and give her up to Tyler. Save everyone the time and aggravation.” She shrugged as if the suggestion made perfect sense.
The growl that escaped him this time made his sister’s eyes open wide. “Ah, so it’s like that. Fighting yourself, are you?”
Sam clenched his hands, wanting to throttle her as he had so often when they were kids. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
“You. All the time.” She rocked forward and treated him to another peck on the cheek. “Go get to your meeting. Continue in denial. It suits you.”
Before he could reply, she waved and strode down the driveway and through the open garage.
If Sam’s mood was bad before, it was positively brutal now.
Chapter Eight
Nicole approached the Marsden home uncertain what she was doing here. Erin had invited her for dinner at her parents’ house, insisting she come because family dinners were weekly events and guests kept them from killing each other. Somehow, Nicole didn’t buy it. In the short time she’d been in Serendipity, she’d heard nothing but glowing praise for each of the Marsdens, from Ella and Simon, whose longtime marriage had withstood crises and even his cancer diagnoses and treatment last year, to the siblings.
The invitation meant a lot to her, and since Erin promised Sam was working a case and wouldn’t be there, she was more comfortable attending. She was still trying to convince herself she could abide by the rules they’d set and keep things casual, continue to have sex with no strings, nothing serious.
What had she been thinking? She’d had sex with one person when she lost her virginity to her college boyfriend, and they’d broken up soon after. She’d come home for a school break and reconnected with Tyler, and though it had taken them years to get serious, he was her one long-term relationship and she’d almost married him. What made her think she could do casual, she asked herself for the millionth time.
No matter how potent Sam’s touch, no matter how much she enjoyed his company, no matter how explosive the attraction, Nicole had spent too much of her life accepting less than she deserved from her family. She’d broken up with a good man because she didn’t want him to settle for less, any more than she was willing to. So she admitted to herself now that she needed Sam to step up, at least in little ways—small, basic ways—if she was going to continue to sleep with him.
They needed to agree they would be exclusive.
He needed to be affectionate in public, acknowledge her as his girlfriend. She wasn’t asking him to marry her, for God’s sake, but she couldn’t just be a fuck buddy. If that was all he wanted from her, even after their last time together, then she’d have to walk away before she became invested even more. The thought caused a sharp pain in the region of her heart, but she was prepared to stand up for what she needed.
First, though, dinner with his family. She rang the doorbell and was greeted by a barking ball of white fluff and an older, attractive woman. From the similar auburn hair coloring, despite the obvious highlights in Ella Marsden’s hair, to the eyes, to the warm smile, she was obviously Erin and Sam’s mother.
“You must be Nicole,” she said, opening the door. “Welcome.”
“Thank you for having me over, Mrs. Marsden.” Nicole handed her a bouquet of wildflowers she’d bought in town.
“I appreciate these. I love flowers, but next time, just bring yourself. And call me Ella.”
Her smile was so sweet and genuine, she couldn’t help but respond in kind.
“Who’s this?” she asked of the dog.
“Meet Kojak.”
Smiling, Nicole bent to pet the dog, who was bouncing up and down in excitement. With Kojak at her heels, she followed Ella into the house.
A few minutes later, Nicole had met Simon, the onetime police chief, and settled in with the family to talk and share a drink before dinner. Cole was in the family room, and to Nicole’s surprise, he greeted her with genuine kindness for the first time. Obviously, his wife had spoken to him, or he was coming to see that she truly was nothing like her sister. Mike Marsden was here without his wife, who was working with Sam, and even he seemed determined to get to know Nicole for herself.