Page 120 of Breaking Free

“What did he do?”

“He dug in and refused to let go. I was unbelievably stubborn, almost surpassing you. But he said he would wait as long as it took. He was there when I finally convinced myself Nolan wouldn’t want me to be alone and miserable for the rest of my life.”

“I like him already. When do I get to meet him?”

“Anytime. Since you’re our only family, Jerry is eager to meet you, too. And I’d like to meet... What’s your girl’s name?”

“Piper.”

“That’s lovely.”

“She is.”

“She’s also special. I know because your face lights up when you talk about her.” Her fingers tightened, conveying the intensity of her emotions. “I’d endure all the pain and tears againjust to have one more day with Nolan. The time I had with him was the happiest of my life. But we have an endless capacity for love and sharing mine with Jerry doesn’t diminish what Nolan and I shared. Don’t miss out on something special because you’re afraid it might someday slip away. It’s worth the risk, my dear friend. I promise.”

ON HIS WAY BACK, NEEDINGtime to process everything they’d discussed, he called Josie and asked if she could hang around longer. With her assurance that it was “no problem,” he exited in Ventura and headed to the best place on earth for soul-searching—the beach.

Emma Wood State Beach had consistent year-round surf with A-framed swells. The overhead, with the reef only 150 yards out, generated massive waves you could ride for what seemed like forever without breaks. And there he was without a board.

He could have rented but preferred to use his own boards. Instead, he found a relatively uncrowded spot and sat and watched the sunset. Mostly, he replayed Lydia’s words in his head. She was willing to risk her heart again because love and even a finite amount of happiness were worth it.

Until recently, he couldn’t see things from her perspective. He thought he was in love with Melissa. While they had a comfortable affection, it paled in comparison to what he and Piper shared.

The sun had dipped below the horizon when he stood, brushed off the sand, and returned to his truck. His decision made the answer in the end pretty easy. He couldn’t let her go.

Piper chased away the clouds and brought sunshine into his world. She made him laugh where no one else could with her quirky hometown expressions and a twinkle in her eyes whenshe teased him. The way she seamlessly fit into his life and lifestyle was perfect.

The walls around his heart were gone for the first time in years. Piper had helped him break free. Now, after all the bullshit he’d spewed about preferring to be a loner and not looking for permanence, he had to convince her he was ready to move forward—with her.

Chapter 29

SITTING ON HER BALCONY, feet propped on the railing, with Jaxx curled up in her lap, Piper sipped a nearly full glass of wine as she stared at the trees along the walking path. Why had she never noticed how closely they resembled the black-and-white opening to a horror/sci-fi series she used to watch with her dad growing up? All they lacked was the eerie music. Had they always looked so creepy, or had Morgan’s crazed evil skewed her view of the world?

She was probably a little crazed herself for sitting out there alone so soon after a maniac held a knife to her throat. But they’d finally had a break in the heat, and she wasn’t going to let fear keep her from enjoying her balcony. Because seriously, what were the odds of that happening again?

Jaxx’s head popped up, his ears twitching, and she immediately regretted questioning fate. Then she heard Tristan calling her name faintly through the closed door. Jaxx must have heard him, too, but he settled again, not about to leave a cozy lap. He purred loudly as Piper resumed gently stroking the sweet spot between its ears.

“Oh, to be a cat,” she said softly, using her thumb to rub beneath his chin, another of his favorite petting places. “All you have to worry about is if your wet food is served on time, deciding which of two dozen spots you’ll nap in, and whether you want to scratch my furniture or groom yourself first. You don’thave to deal with gorgeous men with baggage who twist your heart into knots.”

Speak of the devil and he appears, she thought moments later, when the sliding door opened and closed. Jaxx cracked his green eyes and focused on the intruder, but he still didn’t budge.

“He won’t run off?” Tristan asked as he pulled up the other chair and sat beside her.

“He’s never tried. He knows how good he’s got it here.”

---