Page 9 of Faith

“You just proved my point.”

Jensen chuckled. “Either way, I’m off to find someone to play with tonight.”

“Have fun, but play safe.”

The phrase caught his attention. It was the exact same thing that Nicola said.

“What did you say?”

“I said have fun.”

“But play safe. Where did you hear that?”

He shrugged. “I’ve said it for years.”

“Ah, okay. See you later, Ross.”

The club owner nodded but said nothing else. Jensen headed off in the direction of Latochia, a rather frisky sub he’d played with last time he’d been at Rough ‘n Ready. It was time to get himself back on track.

* * *

Nicola parkedher rental car just as her phone started to ring. She smiled thinking it would be Serenity calling to complain at her tardiness, but it was Jeffery Smyth, a skater she knew from her competition days.

“Hey, you, what are you doing calling me so late?”

“Because I talked to your mother earlier today, and she told me that you are in Hawaii, which Ben and I are too.”

Most people would find it odd that he had a relationship with her mother, but skaters could be a very cloistered bunch. Long hours of training left them with little time for a social life outside of the rink. When his own parents turned away from him when he came out ten years earlier, her mother had welcomed him with open arms.

“Here? In Hawaii? On Oahu?”

“Yes. Yes, and no. We are on Maui, but when I heard you were going to be here, I was hoping you would be up for a lunch. Ben and I have some business early next week.”

Out of all of her friends from those days, Jeffery was the only one who had not blamed her for walking away or for Oliver’s death. Since leaving the business, he had become very successful at selling his brand, including a crazy reality show.

“This isn’t going to be on the show?”

“Darling, the show ended about two years ago. You reallyareout of touch. It’s just that it’s been longer since we’ve seen you and we want to see you.”

“Okay. I am free a lot next week because Jensen is actually going over to your island for a visit. Text me the particulars, and we can set something up.”

“Sounds great. Going out?”

“I am out.”

“Oh, and what kind of beautiful men are there? Describe them for me.”

She chuckled. “The only two I’m going to see are completely committed to my friend Serenity and each other. They wouldn’t have eyes for you.”

“You need a life, Nicola.”

“You need to butt out, Jeffy.”

He gasped. “You promised never to use that name.”

She laughed again. “I love you. Text me.”

“Love you, too.”

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