Six
Drawing a deep breath, Nicole walked into the restaurant a few minutes ahead of schedule. She planned to get settled in a booth in the back before Tyler arrived. To help, she’d pulled all the armor around her that she could think of, including dressing like the woman she was in Serendipity. Make that the woman she was—period. From her low-rise white jeans to Converse sneakers and a loose, flowing tank top, she was far from the couture-wearing fiancée she’d once been.
She arrived at the restaurant, shocked to find Macy, Cara, and Sam together in one booth. Uncomfortable but not willing to duck and run, she forced herself to meet Sam’s gaze. He acknowledged her with his searing stare, giving her no indication of what he was thinking or feeling.
Insides quivering, she knew she had no choice but to pass them on her way to the booth she’d reserved in the back. “Hi,” she said, pausing at the head of their table.
“Hey,” Cara said.
“Hi, hon.” Macy raised a hand in a wave.
Sam’s gaze merely latched and held on to hers.
“I should go wait in my booth,” she murmured, when she couldn’t take the awkward silence any longer.
She turned and made her way to the back of the restaurant, knowing Sam’s silence had clearly made his point. He was still angry and upset.
She reached the private booth in the back just as he called her name.
She spun at the sound of Sam’s deep voice, finding him so close his body bracketed hers against the wall, confusing her since his actions were at odds with the emotional distance he’d put between them. “Sam—”
“I’m sorry.”
She lowered her jaw. “You’re—”
“Sorry I was a jerk. You were honest with me about your past and I reacted based on my own.”
She narrowed her gaze, as relieved as she was baffled. “Your past?” What didn’t she know?
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his golden hair. “Look, we need to talk. How about after the game tonight?”
Before she could reply, a shadow loomed over them. “Nicole.” Tyler’s voice held more than a hint of disapproval, no doubt over finding her in a near-clinch with Sam.
She waited for Sam to step back so she could make the awkward introductions, but Sam was in no rush and remained in place, his hard body bracketing hers.
“Nicole!” Tyler repeated, obviously upset.
She eyed Sam imploringly.
“I’m just waiting for an answer,” he reminded her. “Tonight after the game?” He touched her cheek with one hand, obviously staking a claim.
Oh God. Her entire body trembled. “Yeah,” she said softly. “Okay.”
He grinned, obviously pleased he’d won this round, and eased away from her oh so slowly. By the time he’d removed himself from her personal space, she was surprised smoke and flames weren’t shooting between them.
Tyler cleared his throat. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” he asked.
She shook her head, hoping to clear her mind. “Tyler Stanton, this is Detective Sam Marsden. Sam, Tyler.” She gestured between the two men, refusing to give either one of them a designation like friend, boyfriend, or ex-anything.
They eyed one another warily, each assessing the competition. Which was ridiculous, since Sam had none and Tyler had driven all this way for no reason. But she didn’t want to hurt him, and Sam’s deliberate claim-staking hadn’t helped toward that goal.
By the time Sam strode away, Nicole was shaking inside, and she hoped her nerves didn’t show on the outside.
“Shall we sit?” Tyler asked.
She nodded, aware of her friends at the front of the diner, along with the other familiar faces who’d come in since she’d arrived. Serendipity was a small town and, like most, people here enjoyed good gossip. Nicole’s ex-fiancé and her new relationship with Detective Sam Marsden would certainly provide this morning’s talk and entertainment.
It took everything inside Sam not to turn around and watch Nicole and her well-dressed, clearly rich, everything-Sam-was-not ex-fiancé. It took even more fortitude for him not to sit back down with Cara and Macy and wait for Nicole to finish with her talk. Instead he strode straight out of the restaurant, headed for his car, and drove away, deciding he’d be better off doing work around the house. At least that way he’d be productive and not pathetic.
He hadn’t planned to compare, but clearly Nicole had a type. Both he and this Tyler Stanton had light hair and light eyes, his hazel, the other guy’s green, but where Sam was more of a guy’s guy, Tyler was obviously more of the GQ variety. Khaki pants, polo shirt, short hair that wasn’t barbershop cut. Which raised the question—what was the classy Nicole Farnsworth doing slumming with a Serendipity cop? And how long would her walk on the other side last?
Knowing he was in a precarious position, Sam asked himself what the hell he was doing. For a man who didn’t want to invest emotions or his heart, he seemed to care too damned much.
He’d been blindsided by a woman once before. This time his eyes were wide open, so if and when Nicole walked away, Sam had known the possibility existed going in.
And he’d have nobody to blame but himself.
Nicole couldn’t read her ex-fiancé because Tyler was still focused on what had gone down with Sam. So was Nicole. At least he wasn’t angry, but he had alluded to interesting information about his past. She couldn’t begin to imagine what had happened to him, nor did she have time to think about it when Tyler faced her across the table, his expression tight.
“Tyler, why are you here?” Nicole got right to the point. Better she know immediately what she was up against.
He folded his hands on the table, took a visible, relaxing breath, and said, “I came for you. I came to see what kind of hold this town has on you and why you felt you had to leave home—and me—to settle down here.”
Nicole expelled the breath she’d been holding, hoping things were as simple as he claimed. This, she could deal with.
“I already explained why I broke up with you. I don’t want to hurt you, so please don’t make me say it again.” She stared into his green eyes, hating that he was putting her in the position of having to rehash the breakup.
“You said we didn’t have sizzle. Chemistry. Then I come here and find you with that cop.”
“Detective,” she replied, then realized she was echoing Sam and managed not to smile.
“That detective is the reason you left me.”
“That’s ridiculous. I barely knew him when I was here last.” But he had been the catalyst that made her realize what she had with Tyler wasn’t enough. Still, why tell him and dig at his pride?
Tyler ran his hand through his closely cropped hair. “I’m not going anywhere, you know. I’m staying until you come to your senses.”
Nicole stiffened. Such extreme behavior was not Tyler’s normal MO, and now she had to wonder—again—whether there was more to him being here. What did he know? Was he aware of his father’s activities, and on what side of the illegality did he fall? She knew what her heart told her, but she couldn’t risk her safety by mentioning she knew his firm was money laundering. What if he suddenly turned on her, or, worse, called in the Russian mob to handle her if he couldn’t?
“I don’t . . . You can’t . . . What?! Why would you stick around?” Nicole finally sputtered.
Completely unruffled, he replied, “Because we belong together.” He reached across the table in an attempt to place his hand over hers, but she was quick enough to shift her shaking hands to her lap.
His eyes flickered with disappointment.
“I’m happy here,” she told him.
He raised an eyebrow in an arrogant expression she knew well. Tyler was many things—a gentleman, yes, but also occasionally entitled. “We’ll see.”
She shook her head. “I’m going to go about my life,” she warned him. And that meant seeing Sam.
“You do that. And I’ll be here to remind you of everything you left behind.”
Why? Because he thought they were such a love match? This determined behavior in the face of her rejection was so unlike him, she believed to the depths of her soul there was more going on than he was saying.
“Go home,” she tried once more.
He shook his head and pinned her with a steady, certain, determined glare. “I’m not going anywhere without you. There’s too much at stake.”
The morning crowd kept Macy busy after her friends left, but not so busy that she didn’t notice that Tyler remained behind for a while, obviously thinking over what had transpired between him and Nicole. Nicole, she’d noticed, had looked for Sam when she left, and had been disappointed to find him already gone.
What a tangled mess, Macy thought. Something the likes of which Serendipity hadn’t seen since . . . well, since Jenna left Sam at the altar for Brett, his best friend. Sam had had a rough time then. He’d been so humiliated and embarrassed, and everyone in town had gossiped about it for months. She shook her head, glad Sam was on the winning side of things this time around.
The rest of the day passed quickly, but Macy was embarrassed to admit she’d thought of Tyler Stanton more than a few times. He wasn’t her usual type, too buttoned up for Serendipity, but that didn’t seem to matter when he was so darned sexy. She sighed, wondering how many boundaries she’d be crossing by flirting with him. Just a little. Nicole was happily involved with Sam—or wanted to be—so what could it hurt?
She was pondering that very question around five P.M., knowing she could leave soon to head home and change before the seven P.M. softball game.
Tonight the cops were playing the firemen. Hot didn’t begin to describe the field, she thought with a wry grin. Too bad she’d known all these guys since they were boys, dated a few, and was interested in none. She lifted her gaze at the same moment he strode into the restaurant.
“Hello, Ms. Donovan.”
“Macy,” she reminded him. “And we’ve got to stop meeting like this.”
He shook his head, obviously unsure what to make of her. Which was fine. Many had that initial reaction. She said what she thought, joked even if only she understood, and tried to enjoy life.
“I’d like a seat. Counter or a table is fine,” he said.
“Take your pick.” She gestured to the line of empty booths.
He chose the first table closest to the hostess stand, and she eyed him with pure female appreciation as he took the few steps to sit down. Wearing the same khaki pants as earlier, she took in his very fine ass that accented his lean form.
She handed him the menu.
“I have a feeling I won’t be needing one after a while,” he muttered to himself.
She raised an eyebrow at that. “Planning on sticking around?” she asked, unable to stop the hope rising in her at the possibility.
“Looks like it. I think Nicole’s testing the waters, and I want to be here when she realizes everything she’s left behind.”
What did it say about her that Macy was pleased? Pathetic, that was what she was. Dimples or no, the man was stuck on another woman.
“What if she’s not just testing?” Macy asked.
He set his jaw. “She is.”
Macy raised her eyebrows. “Are you always so sure of yourself?”
He met her gaze, suddenly looking at her, really studying her as if seeing her for the first time, and she shivered beneath his steady stare.
“Are you always so blunt?” he asked.
“Yes, and you didn’t answer me.”
“Yes, I’m always that sure. If I want something, I get it.” And he obviously wanted Nicole.
But Macy had been the bystander to many people falling in love over the last few years, and when that particular emotion hit, it hit hard. It also started with dynamic chemistry, and she’d seen explosive heat between Sam and Nicole. Tyler didn’t have a chance, but then . . . why did he want one? Why pursue a woman who’d made her lack of interest and intentions not to be with him so clear?
Macy liked a good puzzle, and Tyler was that. Especially since he didn’t look all that hurt by his ex-fiancée’s obvious feelings for Sam.
“So what is there to do in town?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Depends on the night.”
“Okay, how about . . . say tonight?” An amused smile lifted his mouth, making him even more handsome.
She swallowed hard. She really shouldn’t bring up the softball game. Sam was playing and he’d mentioned plans afterward with Nicole. But if Macy didn’t say anything and he wandered around town or asked someone else, he’d find out anyway.
“There’s a softball game at the high school, but you don’t know anyone here, so I’m sure that would be boring for you.”
“Are you going?” he asked.
She nodded.
“And do most people end up there?”
She inclined her head once more.
“So . . . say Nicole would be there?”
“Could be.” Macy rocked on her heels, consoling herself that she hadn’t been the one to offer up the information without him asking first.
“Then I guess I’ll see you there.”
She looked him over, caught the determination in his green eyes, and decided not to argue, just to be there beside him. As a buffer, she assured herself, not because she was determined to turn his focus away from Nicole and onto herself.
“But you really can’t go so dressed up,” she said.
His eyes opened wide. “These are my casual clothes.”
She sighed dramatically. “Jeans are casual clothes. Cargo shorts are casual clothes. Khakis are dress clothes.”
He shook his head. “Suits are dress clothes.”
She bit the inside of her cheek and did her best not to laugh even if she did think he was cute, something she doubted he’d find amusing.
“If you’re hanging around for a while, do you want to stand out? Or do you want to fit in?” she asked him.
He frowned. “Your tone tells me there’s only one right answer to that question.”
“Did you bring more casual clothes than those?” Assuming he owned the kind of wardrobe to which she’d referred, which she was beginning to doubt.
“I didn’t plan on more than a day trip. I can drive home later today to pack up some things.”
“More of these?” She gestured to his polo shirt, this one a pale green with a blue pony on his chest. “Never mind, don’t answer that. The mall’s just twenty minutes from here. We can get you a couple of pairs of shorts and jeans, maybe a T-shirt or two, and be back before the game.”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m sure I have a pair of jeans in my closet.”
She clasped her hands behind her back. “Are they pressed?”
He opened his mouth in outrage, then closed it again. “Probably.”
She burst out laughing, enjoying this man way more than she should. “Come on. Order dinner and then I’ll take you shopping and show you how the other half lives.”
Sam was pitching at tonight’s game, which meant he had less time to focus on what was going on outside the baseline. But he wasn’t blind, his peripheral vision was just fine, and he could see exactly what he shouldn’t let distract him.
Erin and the baby sat on a blanket, a safe distance away from the game and fly balls, with a good view of the field. Nicole had joined them, which provided enough of a diversion that Sam was off his game. But by the third inning, when his arm was warmed up and Nicole settled in to watch him, he’d begun pitching better. Until Macy arrived with Tyler Stanton—and they didn’t go to the bleachers. Instead, they pulled up folding chairs and joined Sam’s sister—and Nicole.
Instead of letting the other man get to him, Sam gritted his teeth and put his anger and frustration into the game.
Nicole had run into Erin at Cuppa Café, where they’d both had the same idea to bring large iced teas with them to Sam’s game. They talked while they waited, and soon they’d agreed to meet up again on the field and share a blanket. Erin, an old pro, knew exactly where to sit so the baby wasn’t in any danger of being hit by a foul ball, and Nicole was happy to have someone to be with and talk to. She liked Sam’s sister a lot, and her daughter was the sweetest-smelling, most adorable-looking baby Nicole had ever laid eyes on. Both helped take her mind off her troubles.
Those troubles revolved around Tyler. Thanks to a phone call from Macy, who had apparently appointed herself Tyler’s escort around town and Nicole’s go-between, Tyler had informed her he’d taken a room at the Serendipity Inn for an extended and undetermined period of time. And Nicole still had that awful feeling his presence here was tied to everything she’d left behind and still hadn’t decided how to handle.
She pushed the thought out of her head and focused on the reason she was here tonight. Sam. The man filled out his softball uniform, his thighs tight, his ass spectacular. Her sex clenched just watching him, a new and exciting reaction to just watching a man.
Three innings into the game, Erin realized she’d forgotten diapers in the car and took Angel with her to go get them. Nicole didn’t mind being left alone, as she was already invested in the game. The cops were up by two runs and she couldn’t take her eyes off Sam, his muscular arms flexing as he pitched, and the intense concentration on his face holding her transfixed.
“Do you mind company?” a familiar masculine voice asked.
Tyler. Nicole stiffened. “Umm—I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
She looked up and was grateful to find Macy standing beside him. Her presence took much of the pressure off Nicole. She didn’t feel bad turning him down.
“Come on. You’ve got the best seats in the house,” Tyler said, coming up beside her.
Resigning herself to the unavoidable, she waved her hand. “Have a seat,” she reluctantly said, but she refused to let their presence dampen her enthusiasm for the game.
She did her best to ignore Tyler and cheer Sam through an erratic pitching period, relaxing when he settled into a rhythm once more. Up at bat, he drove in two runs, and when he hit what looked to be a grand slam, Erin, Macy, and Nicole yelled their loudest as he rounded the bases for home plate.
Nicole was aware of Tyler sitting beside her, a scowl on his face.
“You don’t have to be here,” she reminded him, no longer keeping her tone gentle or worrying about hurting his feelings. She’d made herself clear. He was choosing to ignore her request for him to go home.
“Yes, I do. Until you come home with me, I’m staying.”
“I am home.” With each day that passed, she felt more and more sure of her decision to settle in Serendipity.
Tyler grunted in reply.
None too soon, the game ended, the cops won, and they all stood, folding their chairs and blankets. Erin, who had the baby hanging from a sling around her chest, managed well, but everyone insisted on helping her carry things to the car.
“Thanks,” the auburn-haired woman said with a genuine smile. “I’m going home. Hopefully Cole’s finished working by now. He had a conference call with a new client and said he’d be a while.”
“Drive safe,” Nicole said, as Erin buckled the baby into the car seat in the back of her truck.
“Always. Precious cargo in here.” She shut the door and turned to face them. “It was fun. Let’s do it again next week,” she said.
“I’m in,” Macy said automatically.
“Same,” Nicole added, hoping she wasn’t beaming because Erin had extended such an easy invitation.
She thought about her friends at home and the posturing that usually accompanied each and every invitation, nothing ever being what it seemed. Either there was a fund-raiser where someone wanted to one-up the other with clothing, a date, or amount donated, or there was behind-the-scenes bickering that turned Nicole’s stomach.
So different from the genuinely simple life here. No wonder leaving had been so easy. Her friends hadn’t been genuine, but she was finding out there were better people in the world. People she liked and who liked her. In Serendipity, she was discovering friends and filling empty holes. Except now Tyler had arrived, bringing Nicole’s old life here to confront the new. She didn’t know how to make him go away, and even if he left, she was all too aware that he wouldn’t be taking her most pressing problem with her.
Maybe once she and Sam settled things, she could consider confiding in him. . . . She immediately shook her head. He was a police officer, sworn to uphold the law. If she told him her father’s firm was laundering mob money, he’d be forced to report the information—and if that was the route she decided to take, she certainly wanted time to talk to Tyler and her father first. Assuming she felt comfortable enough to think they weren’t involved. Which brought her full circle and had her insides cramping once more.
“Hey, I’m starving. Let’s go get something to eat,” Macy suggested.
Tyler nodded, his gaze briefly meeting Macy’s before landing on Nicole’s—and lingering.
“Ummm, you two go. I’m going to wait for Sam.” They had a date, and Nicole didn’t plan on making it a double.
Tyler ran a hand through his neat hair, and Nicole recognized the sign of frustration. She glanced at Macy. “Show him a good time?” The imploring please didn’t need to be said out loud.
She knew she was imposing further on her new friend, but she needed this night with Sam and she’d make it up to Macy. Who, Nicole suddenly realized, was smiling and not looking all that put out by the request.
“I think I can manage to keep him busy,” Macy said. “Come on, big boy. Let’s go get dinner. And maybe dessert.”
“Macy, let’s see what everyone else is doing first.”
“Why, when I know all the good places to eat in this burg?”
She hooked her arm through Tyler’s and began pulling him toward the car.
And Tyler, though he grumbled, went along rather than jerk his arm back from Macy and be rude. The woman was a true dynamo, unique among people Nicole had met. In a good way, unlike some other pushy women she’d known.
Macy led Tyler to her car and soon they were gone, leaving Nicole alone. She was grateful Macy could help her out, but she’d have to make sure the other woman knew Tyler wasn’t a simple guy to date—without revealing everything she knew and involving Macy in her problems. Even if Tyler was a free agent, he came with other baggage and expectations. And Macy didn’t seem the type to bend to someone else’s needs and desires.
Nicole caught a glimpse of Tyler’s back and the stiff, obviously new denim. The Tyler she knew did not own faded light jeans, which meant Macy had prodded him into the change. Instead of jealousy, Nicole felt pure amusement and a sense of hope that Macy could help Tyler see reason. She already had him changing his way of dress, and he’d allowed her to drag him away from the sole reason he’d come to Serendipity.
Despite all the potential problems, Macy could be good for Tyler, Nicole thought. She just wished she knew if Tyler could be good for Macy. Or if he’d take his head out of his parents’ expectations that he’d marry well and into a connected family long enough to look at the treasure that was Macy Donovan. They’d just met, which meant it was way too soon to even think that way, but Nicole liked the thought.
“Hey.” Sam came up to her, looking sexy in his dirtstained uniform caused by numerous slides around the field.
“Hey yourself. Great game.” She smiled at him, happy he was here—and they were alone.
“Thanks. Where’d your friend go?” he asked, his tone turning dark.
“Macy took him out to eat.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “That bother you?”
“Should it?” she replied.
He blew out a long breath. “Not if you’re telling me the truth, no.”
She set her jaw, determined not to get into an argument with him about her ex. But there was one thing they needed to get straight now. “Either you trust me or you don’t. And if you don’t, we call this off right here and now. But if you do? No more digs about truth and honesty, all right?”
He blew out a deep breath before answering. “Fair enough,” he said, a surprising smile lifting his lips. “I have an important question.”
“What?” she asked warily.
“Did you enjoy your pizza the other night?”
She let out a loud laugh. “No, I didn’t. I was too upset.”
“I thought so, and me neither. Pop’s really does make the best pizza, so I thought we could head on over there and try again. There are some things I think we need to get clear between us.”
She nodded, knowing he was right. “I’d like that.”
He hefted a bag higher on his shoulder, and she realized he was hauling around a lot of weight.
“That looks heavy. Where’s your truck?” she asked.
“There.” He pointed at his SUV a few feet away. They headed there and stored all his gear in the back. He turned to her, sweaty and dirty from the game in the night heat, and he’d never looked better to her. Hotter. More sexy.
“I didn’t think this through . . . I’m filthy,” he said. “How about we go to your place over Joe’s so I can at least wash up. I keep a change of clothes in the trunk, and then we can walk to Pop’s down the street.”
She nodded, okay with whatever he suggested.
Less than an hour later—because who cleaned up faster than a man—they arrived at Pop’s Pizza. They settled into a booth and Sam reached across the table for her hand, causing excited flutters in her belly.
“So we both like pepperoni.”
She grinned. “Something in common.”
“Look, since it’s quiet and we can talk, I—”
Before he could finish, the restaurant door opened and Macy and Tyler walked in.
Nicole closed her eyes and groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Sam turned in his seat and stiffened. “Son of a bitch.”
Tyler pulled Macy right over to their table. “Funny running into you here.”
“Not laughing,” Sam said.
Nicole met Macy’s apologetic gaze. This truly was a coincidence, she knew.
“Tyler, let’s have Chinese next door,” Macy suggested.
“Good idea,” Sam muttered.
He shook his head. “I’m allergic to MSG.”
Nicole would have rolled her eyes, except he was telling the truth.
“Then let’s take a table in the back.” Macy tugged on his arm.
Tyler met Sam’s steely gaze. “We’re all adults and clearly this is a small town, so we’ll be running into each other. Might as well get friendly.”
Before he could slide into the booth next to Nicole, Macy whipped around him and inserted herself there instead. Tyler eyed the long bench Sam sat in the middle of.
“Hell no,” Sam muttered, and shoved himself out of the booth. “Macy, out.”
Nicole stared at Sam, who was acting in a way she’d never seen before.
Obviously responding to the authority in Sam’s voice, Macy immediately scooted out of the seat.
“Sam, we’ve already ordered, so let’s just eat and then we’ll go,” Nicole said, not because she wanted to stay but because it was the polite thing to do.
“Did you order yet?” Sam asked Macy. Obviously he wasn’t speaking to Tyler.
She shook her head.
“Then enjoy.” He held his hand out to Nicole.
Without thought, she placed her hand inside his larger one, savoring the feeling of skin against skin as he helped her out of the booth.
“You’re being rather rude,” Tyler said.
Macy glared at him. “Shut up.” She glanced at Nicole. “I’ll talk to him. I promise.”
“Still here,” Tyler muttered. But he didn’t argue anymore about Nicole and Sam leaving.
Nicole blinked.
She’d never spoken to Tyler that way, and she doubted he’d take it well if she had. But this was Macy’s personality and she’d decided to take charge . . . and he’d allowed it. Still, she’d done it as if she and Tyler had known each other longer than twenty-four hours.
“Amazing how quickly you two became close,” Nicole said, curious about this new relationship.
Macy chuckled. “I wouldn’t call us close, but I’m the only almost-friend he’s got in this town.”
“Quit talking about me like I’m not here,” Tyler said, more insistent this time. “I’m not an idiot. I just believe Nicole and I have too much in common to let things go so easily.”
Nicole narrowed her gaze. Too much at stake. Too much in common, and he didn’t sound like he meant pepperoni pizza. What was going on?
Sam tugged on her arm.
“I already told you where I stand,” Nicole reminded Tyler. “We’re leaving.” She nodded to Macy, turned, and let Sam pull her out of the pizza parlor and onto the street.