The Confession

He scarfed down the last of his breakfast, then took his plate to the sink—his eyes never leaving the TV. Then he wandered to the sofa with the last of his coffee. “Mind if I watch this for a while?”

Not what she would have chosen, but… “No problem. I’ll be upstairs studying if you need anything.”

Zach gave her a vague nod as he sat, his stare glued.

Heavenly headed back upstairs, shaking her head. Game shows. Go figure.

When she settled back at her desk, she was more awake than before…but not more focused. Beck rose and came to check on her. After assuring him she was fine—well, as fine as she could be in these circumstances—she half listened as he showered, called to check in on his patients, then rounded up Zach to head out for their errands.

Soon after he left her with a lingering kiss and a promise not to be longer than necessary, her phone dinged on the desk beside her. She took a sip of her water, lifted the device, and glanced at the screen, praying Seth had decided to reach out to her. But no. This text was from one of the last people she’d ever expected to hear from.

Pike.

What the devil did he want?

That favor I asked you for? She’s available today. Can you talk to her?

A few weeks ago, Heavenly had gone to Pike for help with her late father’s hospital bed. In the end, she hadn’t needed him to intervene, so she’d completely forgotten about his quid-pro-quo request to tell the girl he was interested in that, despite his tattoos, piercings, and bad attitude, he was a good guy. But he’d been willing to lend her a hand—well, kick in a door—when she’d needed it. Besides, she was curious about the kind of woman who would snag Pike’s attention. And apparently, River’s, too.

But Heavenly hesitated. Her head was a mess and her finals were so close… On the other hand, she had managed to catch up in the last couple of weeks after missing so much class. Her professors had been lenient when she’d explained her father’s death, but she’d also worked her butt off to bring her grades back to straight As. It helped that Bridget Lewis, the hospital’s nursing administrator where she volunteered, had written a glowing letter to her online university, saying that she had continued to be a passionate, dedicated volunteer, even in the midst of her own loss. So maybe she could afford an hour or two away. Besides, she wasn’t accomplishing much this morning, worrying and wallowing. Fresh air would help, right? Not only that, it wasn’t even ten a.m. She’d have all afternoon alone, most likely.

Sure. When and where?

After some back-and-forth, they agreed to meet at a sidewalk cafe at noon. Pike promised he’d make the introductions, then leave the ladies to talk.

Heavenly had no idea what to say. Since she’d only spoken to Pike a handful of times, none of them pleasant, she didn’t know the man well. She needed info from someone who did.

There was only one person she could ask who would give her answers, so she dialed her bestie.

“Hey!” Raine picked up right away, sounding surprisingly chipper for someone pregnant with really active twins.

“Hi, did I catch you at a bad time?”

“It’s the perfect time, actually. The guys are watching some war movie that’s so gory it’s making my stomach turn. I headed upstairs to cuddle up with a supposedly juicy book.”

“Supposedly?”

Raine laughed. “My life is juicier. I’m sure yours is, too.”

It used to be. Lately…not so much. Beck was trying to help Zach settle into his new life. And Seth… Who knew? Since the emotional upheaval at the lodge and the resulting disagreements, there had been a total drought in her sex life.

“You know how it is…” she muttered vaguely, trying to sound upbeat. “Listen, I just got an unexpected text. From Pike, of all people.” She explained the situation. “What do I say to this woman? I don’t know much about him.”

Sheets rustling told Heavenly that her bestie sat up in bed, now fully invested in this conversation. “Is this the same girl my brother is totally pretending he’s not hung up on?”

“Yes, but I don’t know her name.”

“Neither do I.” And Raine didn’t sound happy.

“Is River really interested? Seth told me your brother claims he just wants to talk to her.”

Raine scoffed. “And I’m just a little bit pregnant. Please… Even before Dean’s injury, River had all but stopped trolling bars with him for their nightly hookups. I overheard Dean grousing to him about it right after they arrived at the lodge.”

That surprised Heavenly. “So you don’t know anything about this girl?”

“Nothing, and I’m dying for details. If she made a significant impact on my manwhore brother in one night, she has to be special.”

True. “Does Pike have any good qualities? Ones I haven’t seen?” Heavenly winced. “I don’t want to stab him in the back…but I don’t want to lie to this woman, either.”