Harlequin Heartwarming July 2018 Box Set by Beth Carpenter

Author:Beth Carpenter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“ARE YOU READY for tough love or is it too soon for that?” Jane asked.

Nicole arranged some newly framed prints in a display by the front window. The August sun was bright, and many tourists were already on the streets.

“Too soon,” she said.

“That’s too bad.” Jane sipped her tea. “Because I was all ready to let you have it. I was going to say things like you can’t run scared all your life. You can’t let your past steal your future. Loving someone means taking a risk. You can choose a nice, safe insurance salesman to love but there’s always a chance he’ll get bit by a poisonous spider and die of an ugly, festering wound. Stuff like that.”

Nicole thinned her lips into a line and glared at her friend. “That’s mean.”

“I said I was going to say those things. If you weren’t so delicate.”

“Thanks.”

“I also considered adding a few barbs about how indecent it is to leave a guy when he’s down. Especially a guy as delicious as Kevin who’s worshipped you since you came to town four months ago.”

Nicole sat cross-legged on the carpet by the large, sunny window. “The bad thing about having such a good friend is that you know where all my buttons are. But you’re not supposed to push them.”

“Does Kevin know where they are?”

Nicole glanced at one of her photographs on an easel. It was a picture of the sunset, taken from the boat when she was photographing the marina. Had she been living in total denial? Going out with Kevin on that boat. Going along with his adorable nieces to the theme park. Eating ice cream by the ocean. Having her heart nearly wrenched from her body when she thought he died in that burning building…

“I can’t do this,” she said. “I told Kevin I needed space when I left him a few nights ago.”

“And?”

“Aside from five voicemails and those flowers—” she gestured to a vase full of yellow sunflowers on the gallery counter “—he’s given me a ton of personal space.”

Jane laughed. “He told you he wouldn’t let you go without a fight.”

“I don’t feel like fighting.”

“So surrender.”

Nicole sighed. “I can’t. You have no idea what it felt like thinking someone I’d just realized I loved was dying in that fire.”

Jane raised her eyebrows. “You don’t think so?”

“Sorry. Of course you do.” Nicole squeezed Jane’s shoulder when her friend knelt down beside her. “It was like losing Adam all over again,” Nicole said softly.

“But you didn’t lose Kevin.”

Nicole didn’t answer. She concentrated on the pattern of the sun on the blue carpet.

“So what are you planning to do?” Jane asked. “You’re going to have to see Kevin at my wedding in a few weeks, and probably even talk to him.” Jane paused and grinned. “There could be dancing. I think you should be prepared.”

“I’m not making any decisions right now. I’m helping you with Homecoming and the rest of tourist season since you’re going to be very busy with your baby and your handsome new husband.

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