Nico rolled his eyes. “Maybe.”
She started toward the door, so he followed.
“Oh, I meant to tell you. I heard Stone Jameson’s back in town.”
Nico failed to school his expression in time. His sister knew him better than anyone, so there was no doubt she’d seen a spark of interest flash before he could hide it.
“You already knew that, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe this is your chance to finally talk to him.”
Niyah was the only person who knew about the events that happened all those years ago. Nico had never told a soul, but Stevie had broken down and shared the deets with her best friend. Evidently, that was part of the BFF code. Rules his sister and Stevie lived by. And much to his dismay, they disclosed everything. As in every dirty detail, including the ones he wished Niyah didn’t know about. Specifically those that involved him and Stevie these past few months.
He shook his head. “I’m takin’ the puppy. That’s far more than I can handle.”
Niyah laughed. “Just do me one favor?”
“If it’s anything other than potty trainin’ that little guy…”
“Keep an eye on Stevie. Make sure she’s okay.”
“You know I will,” he promised and meant it.
“Maybe this is the opportunity y’all’ve been waitin’ for. The three of you.”
He didn’t bother telling her there was no opportunity to be had. By leaving town, Stone Jameson had been relegated to the darkest recesses of Nico’s mind. He’d put that night behind him and moved on. And because the guy had shattered Stevie’s heart, Nico had no desire to ever forgive him.
“At the very least, you need to encourage Stevie to talk to him.”
He would do no such thing. How Stevie chose to handle Stone was up to her, but he wanted no part of it.
“I love you,” Niyah said, giving him another quick hug.
“I love you, too. Call me when y’all get there so I know you made it.”
She nodded. “We’re takin’ the scenic route, so it’ll be a few days.”
Nico followed her onto the porch and waved at Adam.
He stood there staring after them as they backed out of the drive. Behind him, there was a whimper and a thump. When he turned around, he saw the puppy inside the house, trying desperately to open the screen door with his nose.
Laughing, Nico opened the door and picked him up. It earned him puppy kisses.
“You’re gonna need a name.”
That got him a lick on the nose.
“And some food. We’re gonna have to go into town for that.”
So much for getting any work done.
***
Stevie was locking the office door whenshe heard tires crunching gravel as a car approached.
Since they weren’t anticipating any clients coming in today, she didn’t immediately go into professional mode. Because they opened the office for business on Saturdays to accommodate folks who worked the Monday through Friday, nine-to-five gig, they generally didn’t come in on Fridays. Today was an exception because Stevie was avoiding having to say goodbye to her best friend again. Last night had been difficult enough. She knew there was a good chance she would hogtie Niyah and insist she not go to California if she was forced to watch her walk away. That or fold herself into Niyah’s luggage and go with them.
