Dare Me (Take Me 2)

Though… Perhaps she shouldn’t actually smile over that revelation.

She was attempting to extricate herself from this entire scenario, wasn’t she? Not get more deeply mired in it, more intricately tangled in family affairs and Damen’s glowing blue eyes and his warm timbre and his hunky body and…

Oh, good grief.

She shook all these thoughts from her head.

She wanted to claim she wouldn’t be having them if she’d only made her flight this morning.

But Nikki knew that was a blatant lie.

So she didn’t even try to convince herself of it.

After Mads had safely climbed the ladder to secure the angel on top of the tree, one of the many butlers—evidently, there were different ones for different times of the day—served champagne to Nikki and Mrs. Castillo, and sparkling white grape juice to Mads.

The ladies clinked rims and sipped. Though Mads was only good for half a flute, because she was busy and buzzing around like a hyperactive bee, ensuring all the presents were retrieved from whatever secret hiding place Damen and his mother had designated and arranged perfectly under and around the tree. She conducted this entire orchestration, along with the appropriate filling of the stockings hanging from the hearth, which had a warm, crackling blaze in it.

“This one is yours, Dr. Kane,” Mads demonstrably pointed out a unicorn-shaped stocking that matched her own and had Dr. Kane scrolled across the neck in colorful glitter.

“It’s gorgeous,” Nikki told her. “Thank you for thinking of me, Mads.”

“Of course,” she beamed. Then very politely said, “Thank you for being here with us.” She gave a delicate curtsy before further adding, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to text a bunch of my friends and show them pictures of the pancakes I made this morning.”

“Wait!” Nikki called out. “Aren’t we going to light the tree?”

“We do that after dinner,” Mads informed her. “And you are going to love the tamales!”

“Without doubt,” Nikki concurred.

Mads dashed off.

Nikki accepted a refresh of the crisp, effervescent bubbly and enjoyed it with Mrs. Castillo as they lounged on the sofa in front of the fire.

Nikki said, “Mads seems to be adjusting well.”

“Her therapist did suggest that keeping her overactive mind preoccupied helps her to maintain forward movement.”

“Rather than dwelling on the past—and tragic events she can’t change.”

“It’s heartbreaking, but true.”

“Losing someone you love is quite traumatic. Losing two someones… And at such a young age. That’s even more complicated to cope with and overcome.”

“We’ve all learned that being surrounded by the right people—family—is just as critical as expressing our feelings and working through them with a professional.”

“I’m so glad you all have recognized and accepted that. It’s a huge step, a huge leap of faith to take when you seek outside help. But a crucial one.”

“An essential one,” the other woman contended. “I would prefer it if Damen would partake more frequently in therapy sessions, but he’s usually too busy.”

“It’s not just about maki

ng time,” Nikki pointed out. “It’s about acknowledging a need. In Damen’s case, I suspect it’s imperative to him that he remain a pillar of strength—not only in his own mind, but also in yours and Mads’ eyes.”

“That’s very astute.”

“Problem is,” Nikki quietly averred, “even pillars require tending to. So they don’t eventually crumble.”

Glancing at Nikki over the rim of her glass, Mrs. Castillo asked, “Have you mentioned this to him?”