Tucker (The Family Simon 1)

“You’re in love with him.”

“Yeah.”

A pause.

“Do you think that…” Abby could visualize her roommate twirling a small tuft of blond hair and biting her lip as she cuddled in the alcove that looked down onto the busy street below. “Do you think he feels the same way?”

“No.” Abby shook her head. “I mean…” She thought of the touch of his fingers. Th

e heat in his eyes and the way they’d followed her relentlessly for the past few hours. She thought of the laughs they had together and of the quiet moments over the past year. The ones that had been filled truth and confession. The ones that had been Tucker sharing his pain.

She thought of Cooper and what he’d said to her.

“Maybe there’s something more than the fact that he wants sex,” she finally whispered. “But how will I know unless…”

“Unless you see where this goes,” Lisa finished.

“Yes.”

“Sweetie, the only thing I can tell you for sure is that no broken heart ever happened from lack of trying.”

Abby screwed up her nose. “What the hell does that mean?”

“It means that he might break your heart…but it also means that you might be the one to fix his.”

Abby let that sink in.

“The question is,” Lisa continued. “Do you want to take the chance? Is Tucker Simon worth the pain he might bring into your life?”

Abby’s eyes drifted toward the young couple still locked in a passionate embrace.

“Yes,” she breathed into the phone.

“Then go for it,” Lisa said softly. “And know that I’m here, whatever happens.”

“I love you, Lisa.”

“Of course you do.”

Abby smiled.

“And Abigail?”

“Huh?”

“I hope he’s everything you deserve and…”

“Yes?” Abby’s mouth curved into a smile.

“I want details. I haven’t had sex in freaking ages with anything other than my vibrator. I need something to look forward to.”

“Okay.” A figure appeared in the doorway. Tucker. “I have to go.”

She slipped her cell back into her bag and took a deep breath before walking toward him. She paused a few inches from Tucker, taking in the unbuttoned dress shirt and tie that was askew. Her gaze lingered on the thick mess of hair, then the wide shoulders and casual stance.

But there was nothing casual about the look in his eyes when they finally connected. A jolt of heat shot through her, settling low in her belly—an ache that throbbed.

“Hey,” he said softly. Dangerously.