Perfect Together (Serendipity's Finest 3)

Leave it to Macy to cut right to the point, Nicole thought wryly. “It is.” Why bother lying? She needed a friend and she finally had a real one.

Macy shifted in her seat. “No confusion allowed,” she said, waving a hand in dismissal. “He’s into you. I’ve never seen Sam so into a woman before.”

Sara had said something similar. Nicole warmed at the thought and wished things were that simple. “But that doesn’t mean it’ll change the outcome.”

Macy took a long pull of her beer. “You never know. I’ve seen harder nuts than Sam crack. Just ask Cara. And Erin.” She grinned.

“I can’t control it, so I’m trying not to worry about it. It’s just not easy.”

Macy’s expression turned sympathetic. “I understand, which is why I have to talk to you about something.” Her gaze darted away . . . an unusual occurrence for a very direct woman.

Nicole leaned in close. “What’s up?”

Macy drew a deep breath, then let it out again. “What’s the story with you and Tyler? The real story.”

Nicole blinked, surprised at the subject. Although she shouldn’t have been. Macy’s interest in Tyler had been all too obvious.

“That was real subtle of me.” Macy let out a shaky laugh. “I know there are things you can’t tell me, and that’s okay. I just have to know . . . you and Tyler—”

“There is no me and Tyler.” Nicole reached out and grasped Macy’s hand, wanting to reassure her in every way possible. “Not in the romantic sense. I’m . . .” She looked Macy in the eye and prepared to bare her soul. “I’m totally and completely in love with Sam.” She shook her head at herself. “And that wasn’t hard to say out loud. The point is, I have no hold on Tyler.”

Macy closed her eyes, her obvious embarrassment showing. She sat up suddenly, her gaze focused on Nicole. “So you don’t mind if I . . . if we . . .”

Admiring her ability to be direct, Nicole smiled and shook her head. “I’d be thrilled if he found someone to make him happy. It’d be even better for him if it was you.”

Macy exhaled hard and laughed. “Well, that was as awkward and as difficult as I thought it would be.”

“I can imagine.” Nicole leaned back in her seat, suddenly exhausted. “Aren’t we a pair?”

Macy nodded and treated herself to another long swallow of beer. “Is he coming back?” she asked.

“Tyler?”

She nodded.

“He’ll be back,” Nicole assured her.

“How do you know? Have you spoken with him?”

“No.” But they needed to have a private talk when all this was over. One that put things between them to rest, once and for all.

Macy propped her chin on her hands. “Then how do you know for sure?”

At that, Nicole couldn’t help but grin, thoughts of Tyler’s time in Serendipity flashing through her mind. “He went shopping. He wore shorts. And he followed you around town. He’ll be back.”

Macy grinned. “Here’s to getting our men.” She raised her glass and Nicole tipped hers, clinking them together, toasting as much to Macy’s words as to her new friend and her life here in Serendipity.

They spent another half hour talking, then made their way over to a group of people, some Nicole knew, others Macy introduced her to. As much as she enjoyed herself, she couldn’t help thinking that she would rather be with Sam. But she needed to make friends and she was Macy’s ride home, so she didn’t say anything.

“I’m beat,” Macy said at last. “Do you mind if we head home?”

Nicole shook her head, relieved it wouldn’t be a late night. “I’m ready when you are.”

They walked back to the bakery, where Nicole had parked her car. Once they were on their way, Macy pulled off her high heels and sighed. “Whoever invented these things should be shot.”

Nicole grinned. “I wear them a lot less here than I did back in New York, and trust me, I do not miss them.” On her feet now were a pair of bejeweled sandals with less than a quarter-inch heel.

“Stay straight on this road for a while,” Macy said, obviously remembering Nicole needed directions.