Page 72 of Strictly Business

“Seeing the way he was with the kids.” I sigh, “He was an asshole, but there was just something about him. I don’t know how to explain it.”

"You sound like a love-sick puppy."

"That's rich coming from you."

"What can I say? I love my wife. No matter how crazy she makes me." Nick glances at his phone when the screen lights up again and frowns. "Shit, I gotta head out. I need to stop by the office before I head to the airport."

"Will I see you at the party?"

"You think I'd miss an opportunity to see my wife in a sexy dress?" He wiggles his eyebrows and pulls on his jacket.

"Ew, just... Ew." I shudder for dramatic effect earning a laugh from him. “What are you doing in Haven?”

“We’re finalizing the sale. She didn’t tell you?”

Did she? I can’t remember. I think that’s something I would remember.

“We’re selling the old one and buying a fixer-upper a little further outside Haven.”

“She loved that house.”

“There’s a lot of memories there and I think it will be easier for her to want to go visit if she’s not surrounded by so many conflicting emotions.”

“But, that’s where you guys started.”

Nick shrugs. “She wanted to do it. Talked to Kai and he seemed more than happy with the idea. They’re both still healing, and I think this is going to help them. We can make new memories. Happier ones.”

“Where’s the new one?”

“About thirty minutes from the city. A little further from Sopris, but she’ll live.”

“Will she?” Sopris is her favorite mountain to hike, even if the rest of us complain the whole time. I refuse to go with her again, scratch that, I refuse to go hiking in general. I’d prefer to take a quick spin class than go hike a mountain or go for a run in the city.

He laughs, “As long as she can get there, that’s all that matters.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

MICHAELA

FINN LEANS AGAINST THE SUV his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his black suit. A smirk grows on his pink lips when I step into view. “You should’ve worn the other one,” he says placing a hand on my hip. “I don’t like this one.”

My brow quirks in suspicion, “You picked it.”

Another dress courtesy of Finnley Sheffield had shown up on my doorstep this afternoon. When I asked the delivery man if he could return it, he refused with a tight smile before disappearing down the hall. Cursing under my breath, I closed the door with my foot tossing the box on the table. Finn answered the phone on the second ring, and I didn’t give him a chance to say anything, “Stop doing this.”

“Stop doing what?” he asked innocently.

“I already had a dress to wear tonight.”

“I’m aware.”

“Was it not up to your expectations?” I undid the black bow and shook my head when the name Dior came into view.

“A little presumptuous considering I haven’t seen it.”

I dug through the white tissue paper and a black-colored dress came into view. “What’s a little presumptuous is buying me one when you haven’t seen the one I already have.”

“Wear whichever you prefer,” Finn said before whispering to someone on his end of the phone. I assumed it was one of the construction guys since he had been gone the last two days and went straight to the Brooklyn building when he landed in the morning. “I thought I’d give you options.”

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