Eight
Nicole approached the Marsden home uncertain what she was doing here. Erin had invited her for dinner at her parents’ house, insisting she come because family dinners were weekly events and guests kept them from killing each other. Somehow, Nicole didn’t buy it. In the short time she’d been in Serendipity, she’d heard nothing but glowing praise for each of the Marsdens, from Ella and Simon, whose longtime marriage had withstood crises and even his cancer diagnoses and treatment last year, to the siblings.
The invitation meant a lot to her, and since Erin promised Sam was working a case and wouldn’t be there, she was more comfortable attending. She was still trying to convince herself she could abide by the rules they’d set and keep things casual, continue to have sex with no strings, nothing serious.
What had she been thinking? She’d had sex with one person when she lost her virginity to her college boyfriend, and they’d broken up soon after. She’d come home for a school break and reconnected with Tyler, and though it had taken them years to get serious, he was her one long-term relationship and she’d almost married him. What made her think she could do casual, she asked herself for the millionth time.
No matter how potent Sam’s touch, no matter how much she enjoyed his company, no matter how explosive the attraction, Nicole had spent too much of her life accepting less than she deserved from her family. She’d broken up with a good man because she didn’t want him to settle for less, any more than she was willing to. So she admitted to herself now that she needed Sam to step up, at least in little ways—small, basic ways—if she was going to continue to sleep with him.
They needed to agree they would be exclusive.
He needed to be affectionate in public, acknowledge her as his girlfriend. She wasn’t asking him to marry her, for God’s sake, but she couldn’t just be a f*ck buddy. If that was all he wanted from her, even after their last time together, then she’d have to walk away before she became invested even more. The thought caused a sharp pain in the region of her heart, but she was prepared to stand up for what she needed.
First, though, dinner with his family. She rang the doorbell and was greeted by a barking ball of white fluff and an older, attractive woman. From the similar auburn hair coloring, despite the obvious highlights in Ella Marsden’s hair, to the eyes, to the warm smile, she was obviously Erin and Sam’s mother.
“You must be Nicole,” she said, opening the door. “Welcome.”
“Thank you for having me over, Mrs. Marsden.” Nicole handed her a bouquet of wildflowers she’d bought in town.
“I appreciate these. I love flowers, but next time, just bring yourself. And call me Ella.”
Her smile was so sweet and genuine, she couldn’t help but respond in kind.
“Who’s this?” she asked of the dog.
“Meet Kojak.”
Smiling, Nicole bent to pet the dog, who was bouncing up and down in excitement. With Kojak at her heels, she followed Ella into the house.
A few minutes later, Nicole had met Simon, the onetime police chief, and settled in with the family to talk and share a drink before dinner. Cole was in the family room and, to Nicole’s surprise, he greeted her with genuine kindness for the first time. Obviously his wife had spoken to him, or he was coming to see that she truly was nothing like her sister. Mike Marsden was here without his wife, who was working with Sam, and even he seemed determined to get to know Nicole for herself.
It saddened her to think that many people, Cole and Mike included, probably wouldn’t give Victoria a second chance, despite how far she’d come. But those thoughts drifted away as she was included in the family conversation and joking.
She turned to Erin. “Can I hold that adorable baby of yours?”
Erin handed over the little girl dressed in a pink onesie and swaddled in a white blanket with pink satin trim. The pink brought out the coloring in her skin, making the baby seem even more girly. She smelled like the most delicious baby shampoo and quietly lay in Nicole’s arms, making smacking noises with her little lips.
Nicole hadn’t thought about having kids, but as she held Angel in her arms, a strange feeling of intense longing welled up inside her, catching her off-guard. “She’s so sweet.”
“You should hear her when she’s hungry at night. Or wet. Or cranky after six p.m.—but of course only in our house; in her grandparents’ house she’s the Angel we call her,” Erin said, laughing. The love in her voice and her expression were obvious.
Cole slid closer on the couch, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Says the woman who sleeps while I get up and take care of her midnight feedings?” His deep chuckle also belied his words.
These two were clearly in love, and another, distinctly different wave of need swept through Nicole. She swallowed hard and refocused on the less painful feelings.
“Hey, little girl,” Nicole said softly, stroking a hand down the baby’s chubby cheek.
Without warning, the front door opened. “We made it,” Sam said, stepping into the house, Cara behind him.
Nicole’s stomach tightened at the sight of the man she couldn’t get out of her head, looking handsome in a sport jacket—obviously he’d been at work—and his gaze took in the room, settling on her, his surprise evident.
She swallowed hard.
“Sam! I didn’t expect you tonight,” Erin said.
He shot her a strange look. “I told you I’d get things wrapped up early today.”
Mike rose to greet his wife.
Ella clapped her hands, obviously thrilled to have her whole family together.
“Come pour yourself a drink,” Simon said to his son.
And Erin busied herself with a nonexistent thread on her shirt, refusing to meet Nicole’s gaze. She’d obviously lied to get Nicole to come, knowing her brother would show up.
Though she wanted to be mad at Erin, she couldn’t be. Erin obviously had her brother’s best interest at heart.
Sam said hello to his parents and siblings, kissed his mom and sister, and slapped Mike and Cole on the back, and she couldn’t help comparing her own family’s stilted dinner parties with this one. No jokes or kidding with the others, no hugs or kisses, no genuine concern over how each person’s day had gone.
Lost in thought, she didn’t hear Sam approach, but she smelled his cologne and her skin tingled as he kissed her cheek, his lips lingering a hint longer than they had with his relatives.
She trembled at the light touch, acknowledging her body’s immediate recognition and desire for a more thorough, more tactile hello.
“This is a surprise,” he said to her.
“Same for me.” She didn’t want him thinking she’d come here expecting to see him. “Erin said you’d be working.”
“Now that she’s happily married, my sister’s a busy little matchmaker,” Sam muttered. But he couldn’t deny he was pleased to see Nicole here; at the same time, her presence at a family gathering was a little too close for comfort. Sam didn’t bring women home to the family, and he definitely didn’t invite them to Sunday night dinners. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
She tipped her head to one side. “Are you? I don’t want to invade your home territory. I know we agreed—”
He reached for her hand. “I said I’m glad, and I meant it. As for the rest . . .” He trailed off, unsure of what to say.
“I want to talk about it. Maybe not here and now, but later. I need to clarify a few things between us.” She raised her chin in what he took to be a gesture of defiance.
She wanted to change the rules. He felt it in every pulse of tension vibrating off her body.
“Dinner,” his mother said, before they could get into details of what Nicole meant.
Leave it to his mother to have impeccable timing, Sam thought.
“Ready?” he asked Nicole, knowing he wouldn’t taste a bite of his mother’s delicious cooking. Not while he wondered just what Nicole wanted to discuss. Or why he felt like he was at war with himself and the things he always knew to be true about who he was and what he wanted.
Nicole discovered Ella Marsden was a fantastic cook. Her daughter, she learned, could barely crack an egg. Cole did most of the cooking in their house, a fact Nicole could barely reconcile, but she found it endearing that the gruff man clearly doted on his wife and child. Sam too knew how to fend for himself in the kitchen, and so could Mike. Since Nicole had a slew of recipes of her own, she and Ella hit it off well and discussed everything from basic cooking to Nicole’s favorite subject, desserts.
“Tell Mom about your shop,” Erin said. “She already knows you bake, but fill her in on the details.”
Nicole patted her mouth, and placed her napkin in her lap. “Well, Lulu Donovan and I have an appointment at the bank this week to discuss our business loan request,” Nicole said, excited at how quickly things were moving along. “Nick Mancini offered us a very fair rental for the old bakery next to Consign and Design. Other than aesthetics, the infrastructure is already there. And Faith Barron is going to help decorate. My head is spinning,” Nicole said, laughing.
“When did you make all these decisions?” Sam asked.
“All weekend, while moving in, discussions came up, and Aunt Lulu is so prepared, she’s hard to say no to—she makes so much business sense, I don’t want to.”
Erin went on to fill everyone in on her new job as an attorney at Nash Barron’s firm. He had flexible work-from-home hours, and she was happier than she’d ever been.
“What about you?” Simon asked his younger son. “Case almost finished?”
“Wrapped it up today, right?” he asked Cara, who Nicole thought seemed quiet and out of sorts.
She nodded. Her face was paler than before. “Umm . . . excuse me,” she said, and darted out of the room.
Mike took off after her.
Eyes narrowed, Sam followed their quick departure. “Is she okay?”
A semi-smile lit Ella’s gaze, surprising Nicole. “Something tells me everything’s all right.”
Nicole met Sam’s gaze. They shrugged at each other, and soon Cara returned but Mike insisted they head out so she could get some rest, and nobody argued.
The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough and the subject turned to an upcoming art festival, for which Nicole had seen flyers posted around town.
“I love seeing new artists,” Nicole said.
“Me too. And Tess Barron has a showing there,” Erin said. “She’s only sixteen and she’s an amazing artist.”
“That girl has been through so much. I’m happy for her,” Ella murmured.
Nicole knew there was a story there and figured she’d ask Sam another time. “I’d love to go. There’s a place in my new bedroom that needs a picture.”
“Oh, let’s go together, then,” Erin said. “Cole hates those things, so he can watch Angel.” The baby was sleeping in a crib Ella and Simon had set up in a spare room. “Sam, you can keep Cole company. Maybe change a diaper or two.”
“Or three,” Cole said, offering up the opportunity like it was the chance to win a gold medal.
“I think I’ll leave that to you,” Sam said to his brother-in-law.
“Chicken,” Cole muttered.
Ella laughed and rose to her feet. “On that note, I’ll clean up. Dessert in a few.”
Nicole pushed her chair back, prepared to help.
“No, no, you’re our guest. Sam, take her out back. The patio furniture’s all cleaned and we have citronella candles burning so the mosquitoes won’t eat you alive.”
Nicole heard the definitive tone and knew better than to argue. Apparently Sam felt the same way, because he rose and held out a hand.
Suddenly nervous, she slipped her palm into his big, warm one and followed him outside. The bluestone patio reminded her of the glimpse she’d gotten of Sam’s backyard. Four lounge chairs, an outdoor bar with three stools, a rectangular table and chairs with an umbrella in the center, and a fire pit. The surrounding lawn was green and lush, the plantings and flowers perfectly placed.
Everything about the small Marsden house called to something deep inside Nicole, the empty space never filled by her cold parents or their large house full of expensive things but lacking in warmth and love. In the short time here, she’d felt more welcomed and cared for than she ever had by her own family.
Her chest filled with a heaviness she fought against.
“What’s on your mind?” Sam asked perceptively, as he settled into a recliner and pulled her down with him.
She settled in beside him, resisting his attempt to pull her back against him so they could cuddle, her back to his front. She wanted to see his face when they talked, needed him to see hers. To understand.
“You’re lucky.” She wondered if he knew just how much more he had in life.
“How so?”
“Love. You were surrounded by it. Your parents are present in your lives. Not just physically but emotionally.”
Sam heard the catch in her voice and knew tonight’s conversation was important because she was going deep into herself, giving him insight into who she was and why.
“I’m not sure I ever thought about it that way,” he admitted. “Mike did because Simon adopted him.”
“Really?” She leaned in closer.
“Yeah. We’ve always been thought of as the perfect family, but we have our own secrets too. Not so secret, actually. Mom got pregnant by Mike’s father and when he bailed, Simon stepped up. Turns out he’d been in love with her all along.”
Nicole’s eyes grew wide on hearing the story. “That’s beautiful. They seem so in love now.”
“They’ve been that way for as long as I can remember.”
She made a murmur of acknowledgment. “They’re lucky too, then.”
“What about your parents? I know you said they don’t care much about what you do unless it’s to benefit them, but how do they feel about each other?” Having divulged his parents’ past, he felt comfortable asking about hers.
She swallowed hard. “Let’s put it this way. When I told my mother I couldn’t marry Tyler because I wasn’t in love with him, she asked me what love had to do with anything, and when that didn’t sway me, she followed up with, just when did she tell me that fairy tales ever came true.”
Even Sam, who’d stopped believing in that result, at least for himself, winced. What kind of parent disillusioned her daughter? He thought of the way his parents had boosted Erin’s confidence and spirits, and convinced her she should at least try to go after what she wanted in life. Even after she’d gotten pregnant by a man determined to leave her and Serendipity behind.
The summer breeze blew around them and lifted Nicole’s hair from her shoulders. He met her gaze and wished he could put the stars back in her eyes and convince her that anything was possible. Maybe it was. Just not with him.
“So about us,” she said, as if reading his mind.
“I take it you don’t want to just pick up where we left off last night?” His chest hurt at the thought she might actually walk away.
“Actually I do—with some modifications or qualifications.” She looked down at the slats on the chair, not meeting his gaze. “It turns out I’m not so good at this sex-without-emotion thing after all.”
His breath caught in his throat, but he was determined to hear her out. One night with her hadn’t been nearly enough, but what happened next? It all depended on what she asked for.
“I need us to be exclusive while we’re together.”
He let out the breath he’d been holding. “I can do that.”
She lifted her gaze to his. The vulnerability in her expression sucker-punched him but good. Everything about her hit him in new ways.
Scary ways.
“What else?” he asked.
She bit down on her full lower lip. “I need to know where you stand. Is this thing between us just sex? Like, when we’re out in public are you going to pretend we’re just friends? Because I couldn’t handle that.” Her huge blue eyes bore into his.
“Hell no! Just because I’m not looking to settle down and get married doesn’t mean I don’t understand what it means to be with someone. I want to be with you, to acknowledge it in public, to let everyone know we’re together. And I sure as hell don’t want anyone else with you either.”
Her lips parted in a soft O, and he was unable to resist leaning forward and kissing her face with its surprised expression.
The thing he was drawn to most about Nicole—looks and attractiveness were a given—was her innate honesty. Her vulnerability tugged at his heart, making him want to protect her. Be her white knight, as ridiculous as he knew that was.
He couldn’t help but respond to her and licked her parted lips. She sighed into his mouth, and he slipped his tongue inside. She’d had a glass of wine with dinner and he tasted the fruity flavor, but most of all he tasted her and he didn’t want the moment to end.
Unfortunately, his brother had other ideas, as he called out from the door off the kitchen. “Coffee and dessert! Unless you’re already getting some of your own.”
Nicole pulled back and ducked her head, an embarrassed smile on her face. “Geez.”
“That’s what brothers are for,” Sam muttered.
She laughed. “Sisters aren’t much better.”
“True.” He glanced at her flushed cheeks. “Everything okay now?” he asked.
She didn’t pretend to misunderstand him. “Will you come home with me?” she asked. “Christen my new bed?”
Yeah, he thought, everything was just fine.
Tyler stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. As he pulled out clothes for his dinner with Macy, he ignored yet another call from his father. He couldn’t bring himself to disappoint the man by telling him he hadn’t made any inroads in getting Nicole back and bringing her home.
The Nicole to whom he’d been engaged had been quiet and easy to persuade to do whatever he needed in pursuit of career or family bidding. She wore designer dresses and suits, not tight jeans or cropped shorts and shirts. The woman he’d found in Serendipity was not someone he’d have become engaged to, and he had the definite sense she was finding herself now and liking the woman she was becoming. He admired her attempt to break free.
He glanced at the new blue jeans on the bed and the casual T-shirt and frowned. What the hell was he doing, changing who he was in order to fit into a place where he had no intention of remaining? The minute he figured out how to fix the mess in his family business, he was heading back to Manhattan. Except this small town was growing on him. And so was one woman in particular.
He grinned as he thought about where he and Macy were going tonight. Miniature golf. He shuddered at the thought. Yet he’d agreed because doing anything with Macy was something he knew he’d enjoy.
No sooner had he dressed than he heard a knock on his door. He opened it to find the woman who’d been on his mind. Macy stood before him, petite compared to his six-foot frame, wearing patterned shorts, a denim blouse tied over a white tank, and a pair of white Toms on her feet.
“Hey, all set to go?” she asked. Her gaze slid over him. “What are you wearing?” she asked, her smile turning downward.
He swallowed a laugh at her look of dismay. “My clothes.”
She scowled at him. “But you’re not going to be comfortable outside in those pants and that shirt.”
“You mean I’m overdressed for miniature golf?” he asked, unable to suppress a grin at how cute he found her.
“That too. I can wait downstairs while you change.”
He shook his head. “Not happening.”
Lines formed between her brows. “Why? We went shopping for all those clothes. Just throw on a pair of cargo shorts and we’ll be good to go.”
He braced one hand on the door frame and stared down at her, doing his best to ignore the swell of her breasts above the tank top. “Macy Donovan, are you embarrassed to be seen with a well-dressed man?”
“No!” She sputtered at him. “If you want to be hot and sweaty all night, be my guest. I was just trying to look out for you.”
“And I decided I’d rather be myself.”
“Fine.” She raised her hands in defeat. “Are you ready to go?”
He nodded and slipped his hand through hers. “Come on, hot stuff.”
He pulled her into the hall, shutting his door behind them, and started for the stairs.
Macy stopped, planting her heels and refusing to walk farther. “What’s going on? Why are you flirting with me?” she asked.
He met her gaze and shrugged. “I’m just acting naturally around you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying I bring out the flirt in you?”
He couldn’t contain yet another grin. He’d smiled more in the last five minutes than in the last six months. “Could be.”
“Well, rein it in. You’re trying to win your ex back and tonight we’re just killing time while she’s at Sam’s parents’ house for dinner,” she reminded him, turning away so he couldn’t see what he felt sure would be the hurt look on her face.
Even though they both knew what their time together was all about, and he appreciated her willingness to hang out with him, there was something between them.
Or could be if not for Tyler’s complicated life. At least she was smart enough to remember that.
Macy was the one who’d told him why he couldn’t go out looking to run into Nicole tonight in the first place. She’d also tried to encourage him to go back to New York and not set himself up for further hurt. Or embarrassment, she’d gently added. The last thing he wanted was this woman’s pity, but he couldn’t tell her the truth: that he’d already accepted that things were over between him and Nicole before he’d been coerced into coming up here to win her back.
If he hadn’t been, seeing the new Nicole would have convinced him. What he didn’t understand was why this woman, who was even more outspoken than his ex-fiancée, who dressed more provocatively, and who was even more comfortable being contrary than the new Nicole, revved him up so damned much.
His mother would take one look at Macy and have Tyler committed, all the while reminding him that his feelings for this woman were inappropriate because she wouldn’t fit into his world any more than he, in his khakis and polo shirt with long rolled-up sleeves, fit into hers.
“You’re right,” he told her. “But I just want us to relax and have a good time. Isn’t that what you told me to do while I’m here?”
“Yes. Just don’t do it by flirting.”
“Fine. I’ll try to behave.” But it wouldn’t be easy, because she was adorable and so easy to be around, even when she was giving him a hard time—something people in his real life rarely did. It was refreshing. She was refreshing. He was actually looking forward to miniature golf, of all things.
His cell phone buzzed in his pocket. Setting his jaw, he ignored it, and promised himself he’d focus on this woman who made him feel good and try to ignore his problems, if just for this one night.
At his parents’ dining room table, Sam hid a raging erection beneath his napkin and under the tablecloth, suffered through a dessert he didn’t taste, and barely paid attention to the conversation surrounding them. Finally, finally he and Nicole were the first to say their good-byes.
He sped home, daring one of his own to pull him over, and parked in Nicole’s driveway. Once they reached her house, the polite dance they’d been doing around each other ended. She closed the door and was in his arms in an instant.
This wasn’t the smooth seduction of the first time. He sealed his lips against hers and backed her to the nearest wall, dying to be inside her again. She threaded her hands through his hair and held on as he devoured her mouth. He needed her more than he needed air to breathe, and as he wasn’t used to the feeling, he ignored it in favor of the hot sensations that were much more pleasurable.
She hooked one foot around his leg and pressed her lower body against his. Knowing exactly what she needed, he ground his hips into hers, nestling his cock into the warm vee of her legs.
A low moan escaped her throat and he trailed a wet kiss down her cheek and sucked on the flesh of her neck, so when she let out another sexy sound, he felt the vibrations against his mouth.
She slid her hands beneath his shirt, and the feel of her soft fingers trailing over his abdomen made him shudder and grow harder. He let out a curse, lifted her into his arms, and headed for the bedroom upstairs.
“You like this caveman thing.” Nicole laughed, obviously feeling playful.
“If I were a caveman, you’d be over my shoulder.”
“The carrying thing, then.”
“I like carrying you.” This routine wasn’t something he’d done before, but she was right. With Nicole, he always seemed to be impatient, wanting to be naked and inside her.
She grinned, settling her face into the crook of his neck, first kissing him, then nuzzling with her nose and mouth, and finally taking a nip with her teeth.
He felt the kick of that bite in his groin.
He tossed her onto the bed and her eyes opened wide, then glazed over with aching desire. He pulled off his shirt. She took the hint and worked at her own clothes until she lay spread out before him. Instead of rushing to claim her, he decided there were other things he wanted to do first.
He braced his hands on her thighs and lowered his head, breathing in her musky scent before sliding his tongue over her sex. Her hips arched upward in a silent plea for more. Yeah, that he could do, he thought, and began to earnestly work at giving her pleasure. It didn’t take long for him to learn her body, what she liked: long, leisurely laps of his tongue around her damp folds, and what really sent her over the edge—a nip directly on her *.
He’d never tasted anything sweeter, never wanted to give someone pleasure more. He was solely focused on Nicole, her short pants of breath, the soft cries when she edged closer to coming. He slid one finger deep inside her and she came apart beneath his hand and mouth, and a deep sense of satisfaction filled him.
He prolonged the sensations until her muscles relaxed and then he kissed his way up her lithe body, ending with her lips, letting her taste herself on his mouth.
His erection was rock hard against her thigh, and he braced his arms and lifted himself over her. “I need to be inside you.”
Her eyes dilated even more. “So what are you waiting for?”
“Not a damned thing.” He kissed her deeply as he raised his hips and thrust deep. She clenched him tight in her hot body, skin to skin, and realization dawned.
Shit. “Condom.” He started to pull out quickly but her fingernails dug into his shoulders, stopping him.
“I’m on the pill and we—I always used protection.” Nicole stared up at Sam, unwilling to use Tyler’s name while she felt Sam’s thickness in every part of her body.
He expelled a long breath. “Same. Especially since my sister got pregnant . . .” He hung his head, drawing an obvious breath, and then, without warning, he pressed his hips against her, filling her even more.
Small pulses of desire electrified her, from where their bodies joined so intimately to the farthest reaches of her fingertips and even into her throat. The man was so potent and each time they came together, he breached another protective wall she’d tried to erect against him.
Without a condom, she had an even more difficult time differentiating between sensation and emotion. She’d have to sort her head out later, but right now, looking into his gorgeous hazel eyes so intent on her, she didn’t want to think at all.
And when he began to move inside her, his thick erection spiking her arousal, her brain shorted out and pure passion took over. His thickness aroused nerve endings she didn’t know she had, and her sudden orgasm came quickly and fast, taking her by surprise.
“So responsive,” he said as she came back to herself.
“Not usually.” The words slipped out and he grinned, obviously pleased.
He pulled out and despite just having come, she felt empty until he flipped her over. “On your knees,” he whispered in her ear.
Arousal flooded her anew and she complied. He placed his hand on her back and she lowered her head to the pillow as he slid back into her once more.
“Oh God.” He was deeper now, and she couldn’t hold back a moan.
“You feel amazing.”
So did he.
He pulled out and thrust back into her. She closed her eyes and his smooth strokes ignited her nerve endings, stimulating her everywhere. With his body cocooned around hers, taking her, grinding into her over and over, she felt consumed. Owned, even. And as he picked up a faster rhythm, she began the steady climb from being sated once more.
“I’m close, Nic,” he said, his rich voice stroking her body and her heart. His fingers bit into her sides. “Come with me,” he said, his hips slamming hard against hers.
His rough groan of completion set her aflame and she shattered, her body splintering into tiny shards around his. And as she came back together, she was afraid she’d lost a piece of herself to this very contained man.
He collapsed on top of her, eventually rolling off but never breaking contact as he wrapped himself around her. His rapid heartbeat thrummed hard against her back and they lay in silence as she caught her own breath.
“How come?” he asked, breaking the quiet around them.
“How come what?”
“If you’re on the pill, how come you used protection with your ex?” Sam asked.
A valid question, but not an easy one. Not now, although it had seemed so simple at the time she’d made the decision.
“Even though it’s never been said, I don’t think my parents are faithful to one another.” She’d barely admitted this truth to herself over the years. Even when her mother asked her what love had to do with anything, Nicole hadn’t wanted to face what had always been on the edges of her mind.
She swallowed hard. “I was on the pill before Tyler and I started sleeping together, and once we did, he didn’t ask about protection, he just used it, so I didn’t offer the information.”
Because she hadn’t trusted him enough, she realized now. “If my parents weren’t faithful to each other, I didn’t think I should risk it for myself.”
Yet she’d taken that risk with Sam. Nicole was afraid to question what that leap of faith could mean. And from his silence, she took it to mean he had no interest in finding out either.