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.