“Stop, stop. Just let me talk to you. Please. She’s not mine.”
“Liar,” he spat. “You’re a fucking coward who doesn’t even have the balls to claim her. I never took you for a coward, West.”
“Nico, you’re wrong.”
“Why would she lie? It makes no sense. Did you really think this whole adoption thing was going to go through without people finding out? What, you’re too afraid to claim her and screw up your perfect reputation in your perfect fucking little town? Weston Wilde, beloved doctor and member of the perfect Wilde family knocks up a girl from the wrong side of the tracks? No wonder you were there for her delivery. No wonder you were—”
“Stop,” I growled in his face. “You’re pissed. I get it. But you’re spouting a bunch of bullshit you know nothing about. Calm the fuck down, Nico.”
He was hiccupping the way he’d done before when he’d lost it over Adriana in front of me, but he tried to get the words out between gulps of breath. “Why, why did I come here? I could have stayed at home and been happy. You could have made all these impossible decisions without me. I hate you.”
Hot tears soaked my shirt as they dropped onto it from his swollen face. I couldn’t help but lean in and press my cheek to his to try to soak them up without taking my hands off his back. He struggled against me, his hands now clutched in my button-down shirt.
“Shh, catch your breath, Nico. Slow your breathing down,” I murmured. I didn’t want him to hyperventilate.
“Leave me alone, West. Let me go for god’s sake. She’s all yours now. She’s all yours and”—he blew out a shaky breath—“I can finally put this all behind me.”
I knew he only spoke out of anger, but the words knifed me in the chest nonetheless.
“You don’t mean that,” I told him. “You’re pissed, and I get it. I would be too. But you’re going to catch your breath and calm down, and then we’re going to talk.”
He finally struggled out of my grasp with a final push and began walking back to the stranger on the porch. I was desperate to know who the stranger was, but it was clear he was a safe harbor for Nico. So I tried to let it go.
Impossible.
“Who are you?” I asked before I could help it.
Nico spun and shot me a look. “None of your fucking business. Someone who loves me and doesn’t lie to me. That’s all you need to know.”
The guy squeezed Nico’s hand as he walked past but outstretched his other to me in greeting.
“Griffin Marian. You must be West.”
He was adorable in a curly-haired, dimpled way. The kind of guy who looked like he kept everyone laughing in a crowd. He had a kind face, and there was sympathy behind his eyes as he studied me.
“Yeah. Weston Wilde. It’s nice to meet you, Griffin.”
“Please call me Griff. Would you mind giving us some time to settle in and then maybe we can give you a call to talk about Pippa?”
I felt my jaw tighten hearing the baby’s name come out of this stranger’s mouth. Nico still glared at me defiantly, but I knew if he truly thought he was losing Pippa, he was going to break down the minute I left.
“I’m not taking her from you, Nico. I wouldn’t do that. Surely you know that even if you’re pissed at me right now.”
He rolled his eyes and turned to go into the house. Griff continued to study me before speaking.
“Nico’s been my best friend for almost fifteen years, West. I’ve only seen him cry once before today.”
My heart hammered as I thought of all the times Nico had cried with me since I’d met him. Was it all because of Adriana’s death? Or maybe the exhaustion of caring for a newborn?
“He’s lost a lot since he came back,” I said lamely.
“I’m not really sure what’s going on here, but I get the feeling it’s about more than the baby and his sister. You’re right. He’s lost a lot. I’m not so sure he hasn’t found something too.”
We studied each other for a moment, and I realized the man named Griff had a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. There was no point in trying to decipher the stranger’s thoughts. I let out a breath.
“I’ll leave you guys in peace so he can calm down.” I reached for my wallet to pull out a business card that had my cell number on it. After handing it over, I met his eyes again. “Will you call me if you need me?” Clearly he understood that what I’d really meant was for him to call me if Nico needed me.
His face softened into a kind grin. “Will do. We’ll be in touch.”