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 the 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.
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.
It saddened her to think that many people, Cole and Mike included, probably wouldn’t give Victoria a second chance, despite how far she’d come. But those thoughts drifted away as she was included in the family conversation and joking.
She turned to Erin. “Can I hold that adorable baby of yours?”
Erin handed over the little girl dressed in a pink onesie and swaddled in a white blanket with pink satin trim. The pink brought out the coloring in her skin, making the baby seem even more girly. She smelled like the most delicious baby shampoo and quietly lay in Nicole’s arms, making smacking noises with her little lips.
Nicole hadn’t thought about having kids, but as she held Angel in her arms, a strange feeling of intense longing welled up inside her, catching her off-guard. “She’s so sweet.”
“You should hear her when she’s hungry at night. Or wet. Or cranky after six p.m.—but of course only in our house; in her grandparents’ house she’s the Angel we call her,” Erin said, laughing. The love in her voice and her expression were obvious.
Cole slid closer on the couch, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Says the woman who sleeps while I get up and take care of her midnight feedings?” His deep chuckle also belied his words.
These two were clearly in love, and another, distinctly different wave of need swept through Nicole. She swallowed hard and refocused on the less painful feelings.