Facing West (Forever Wilde 1)

Her eyes studied me as she sat down in the driver’s seat. “You sure that’s all? You sure it’s not about having to say goodbye to Pippa when the Warners adopt her?”

My gut twisted at the mention of her adoption. “I have to get used to not seeing her every day,” I said quietly. “It was easier to do it when I knew she was with you.”

Goldie reached out and cupped my cheek with her warm palm. “West, you need to stop working so hard and find someone for yourself. Start your own family. You were born to be a dad. That little girl is lucky to have you, but she’s going to have plenty of other people who love her once the adoption goes through. I think you should focus on finding someone for yourself. I hate that you’re still on your own.”

I placed my hand over hers on my cheek and squeezed before moving it back inside the car. “Goldie, hasn’t it occurred to you yet that most of the good gay men in town are either my brothers or cousins? I’d have to travel to Dallas or Austin to find someone, and nobody wants a long-distance relationship. Plus I don’t have time. I’m married to my job.”

She chuckled. “Pfft. Not true about the supply of good men. I happen to know of a certain military base nearby that is full of nice men. And statistically speaking, at least a good chunk of them are gay. You need to get a matchmaking app like the one your sister was talking about so you can find one.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Oh my god, you sound as bad as my mother. Don’t worry. Hallie made all of us sign up for the one her boss is developing. And we both know she’ll force me to make use of it once the program is live. In the meantime, go feed Gene. I’ll stop by and check on Pippa.”

She smiled and turned the key in the ignition before looking back at me. “West?”

“Ma’am?”

“Go easy on Nico, will you? He’s having a hard time with everything.”

The concern in her eyes forced me to nod in agreement, but I knew deep down I didn’t give a shit about whether or not Nico Salerno was having a hard time. Any hard time he was having was one he deserved.

I made my way to my truck and threw my messenger bag across the cab to the passenger side before climbing into the driver’s seat. I wondered what Nico’s reaction to my unannounced visit would be. Maybe if I brought the guy dinner, he’d be less able to turn me away. A peace offering of sorts.

After swinging by Lou’s cafe, I pulled down the long driveway to Adriana’s house. Dark was settling in, and the evening breeze was blowing dried leaves off the trees. I wondered if the cooler weather would come soon.

As I pulled up to the parking area, I thought about how best to approach the prickly man in order to get some time with Pippa. The pasta dishes I’d picked up had filled the cab of the truck with a warm savory aroma, and my stomach began to complain about the unsatisfying salad I’d had for lunch.

I grabbed the bags of food and made my way to the front porch, stopping myself before opening the door. I hadn’t had to knock when visiting Adriana, but the cold reminder of her passing washed over me just as my hand grasped the knob.

Before I pressed the doorbell, I saw movement through the narrow glass to the right of the door. Nico was standing in the middle of the main room, cradling Pippa in one arm while lifting up the hem of his T-shirt with his other hand.

The shirt had a giant wet spot on the chest and shoulder as if Pippa had spit up all over him. His face was screwed into a grimace as he struggled to remove the soiled shirt while still holding the baby. As the hem of the shirt came up, it revealed miles and miles of ink over a flat stomach.

And that’s when it hit me again like a stroke to the groin. The man was attractive as all hell. For some reason I’d forgotten that little tidbit from the day of the funeral. I hadn’t been able to see much past the haze of my grief and anger. But now, seeing him as a regular guy not hidden in the stupid formal clothes he’d been wearing that day, I saw that he was stunning.

I’d always known my friend Adriana was beautiful. She’d garnered plenty of attention for being a lovely woman. But this man—her brother—was something even more exquisite. Looking at him was like looking at a rare gem collection. There were colors, details, and nuances it would take years to adequately appreciate. The hair, the ink, the piercings. The symmetrical features of his lovely face.