Perfect Together (Serendipity's Finest 3)

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I need to talk to you before Sara gets back.”

At the mention of the other woman’s name, Nicole stiffened and pushed her back against the chair, away from him.

He hung his head. “And that’s why I’m sorry. If I’d told you about Sara before we came here, if I’d explained, you wouldn’t be so defensive now.”

“I’m not defensive.” She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. “Fine. I am defensive. But do you blame me?”

“Not in the least. So hear me out?” He reached out and tugged on a lock of her hair. “How else can I apologize?”

Nicole sighed, feeling herself softening toward him.

He was here with the answers she wanted and the apology she hadn’t expected. “Okay, fine.” She relaxed and hugged her knees to her chest, giving him more room on the chair.

“First things first. Last night, when you said you were sorry you brought so much drama to my life?”

She nodded. “I was serious. We’ve gone from dealing with my sister stalking yours to money laundering and threats. I’m the reason we’re hiding out here for the weekend.”

He braced his hand around her ankle. “I don’t need an e

xcuse to hang out with you, so no apologies. And as for the drama, do you think I chose my career because I like peace and quiet?” he asked on a laugh.

She smiled. “I didn’t know that meant you like it invading your personal life too.”

He squeezed her leg tighter. “I like you invading my personal life.”

“Liar,” she said softly.

His lips quirked in a grin. “Okay, you’ve got me there. But I’ll let you in anyway. No matter how uncomfortable it makes me.” He drew a deep breath. “Back in high school, there were four of us. Four best friends. Me, Jenna, Brett, and Sara.”

She leaned closer so she could absorb not just the story but his emotions about his past as well. “Were Brett and Sara boyfriend and girlfriend too?”

He shook his head. “Just friends. But after—after Jenna left me for Brett and they moved out of town, it was just me and Sara. Not in a romantic way or even a sexual one. We were really good friends.”

She nodded.

And he continued. “Long story short, I went to the academy in Albany and I met this guy, Frank Dalton. He and I became close. He seemed decent. I met his parents. I figured I knew him pretty well. I trusted my instincts and introduced him to Sara.” He drew another deep breath, his body trembling.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to relive it.” Nicole saw how difficult it was for him to talk about his past. It was enough that he was willing.

“You need to know,” he said, his voice strong.

“Okay.” She was grateful. “Okay.”

“Frank and Sara hit it off right away. They dated and next thing I knew they got engaged. He wanted to be a city cop and she was ready to leave Serendipity, so they moved to Albany.”

Nicole had seen the connection between them. “I bet you missed her.”

“A lot. Mostly because we lost touch.” His facial features grew taut.

Nicole glanced at his tense expression. “Why? That doesn’t seem like the Sara I met. Even two seconds in her presence and I could tell when she loves, she loves big.”

“Yeah. And she was there for me after Jenna left, so I couldn’t figure out why she would pull back and disappear from my life. Then one day, she called me. She was hysterical. She said she needed me so I got in the car and drove to Albany.”

“What was wrong?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Frank had been in a car accident. Drunk driving and he was in a coma.”