“You do that nicely all on your own, Sam.”
Sylas laughed, enjoying the banter that these three had together. He took a bite of Ethel’s cookie. The chocolate chips melted in his mouth. The cookies were warm and delicious. “Oh my God, Sam. You’re right. These are amazing. I hope your wife has at least eight left for me.”
“See, sweetheart,” Sam said. “I told you we should go in the cookie business.”
“I have enough to do taking care of you two.” Ethel sat down beside Sylas. “Now, you said at the diner you had questions for us and wanted advice. How can we help?”
“You were right about the serious discussion I was having with my friend. Actually, we aren’t friends any longer.” He told them what had happened between him, Nic, and Ashley in Chicago, and why he had come to Destiny. They looked pleased when he let them know that Phoebe had hired him and Nic. “But he’s closed to even considering the lifestyle she wants. He wants her for himself. That’s why we are no longer friends.”
“Do you love her, Sylas?” Sam asked.
“More than anything.”
“What about Nic?” Ethel asked. “Do you think he loves her, too?”
“Yes, I do.” It was so easy talking with the O’Learys, and God knew he needed to talk things out. He didn’t know what to do next. “Before Ashley, Nic was quite the playboy. I never imagined he would ever settle down. But after they started dating, I saw something so different in him. If I hadn’t fallen for her as hard as I did, I would’ve been happy for him. Nic had a rough childhood. No family. I believe that’s why he and Ashley hit it off so quickly.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that, Sylas,” Ethel said. “Ashley’s mother died of cancer long before she moved to Destiny. Her dad then became a single parent of a feisty five-year-old daughter. They were very close, I understand. She told me some wonderful stories about him. Six months before she moved to town, he died of a heart attack.”
“It’s hard for an only child when they lose their parents,” Sam said. “It was good for her to have someone like Nic who could relate to that sense of feeling alone.”
Sylas nodded. The jealousy he’d felt back in Chicago was gone. Nic needed Ashley as much as she needed him. But I need her, too. “Nic was raised in foster care. He got through college, went to Harvard, and became a lawyer on his own.”
“You’re proud of him, aren’t you?” Patrick asked.
“Yes. I always have been. I had a supportive family. Hell, they’re still there for me. Nic didn’t have a soul who gave a damn about him, yet I’ve never seen anyone with more drive than him.”
“Sounds to me you’re more like brothers than just friends.”
“We were. But not anymore.”
Sam shook his head. “That’s not the way it works, son. Once brothers, always brothers. If Nic is confused, you’ve got to be there for him.”
“He won’t let me, Sam. Nic shut the door on me.”
“Doors can be opened,” Ethel said. “You’re both going to be living in Destiny now, working at Phoebe’s law firm. You are going to see a lot of each other.”
“We actually will be living together for a while.” He explained about Phoebe and her husbands offering him and Nic their rent house.
“Perfect,” Sam said. “More time together should help both of you figure things out.”
“That’s just it, Sam. I don’t understand this lifestyle either. I need your help, your advice, and your expertise.”
“Your head is spinning, I bet, Sylas.” Patrick took another cookie, and though Ethel had scolded him earlier, she only smiled.
“It sure is. About so many things. Yes, I wonder if Nic will ever come around, but I also wonder if what Ashley told us about what she wants will actually work for me either.”
“You’re worrying too much. There are some things that a person must discover step by step.” Ethel grinned. “The one thing that can cut through men’s stubbornness and hesitation is love.”
Sam kissed her on the cheek. “When they love the right woman, sweetheart, it is.”
“Can I have an ‘amen?’” Patrick pulled Ethel into his arms. “Amen.” He kissed her other cheek.
Seeing these three amazing people who were so in love was wonderful to witness but also so astonishing. “Don’t you two get jealous of each other for Ethel’s affection?”
“Absolutely not,” Patrick said flatly. “I’m proud of my brother that he had the good sense to pick this beautiful woman.”
“But what about…uh…I mean…”