Page 46 of Seeking Happily Ever After

“I’m looking for Nick,” she said after a moment. “Nick Newton.”

Char nodded but didn’t speak. She tried to keep her breathing even, but something about the woman set off alarm bells, and she sure as hell hoped it wasn’t who she thought it could be. But surely she was wrong. Nick said she was out of the picture. Not a concern. But…maybe this woman was an old girlfriend trying to track him down?Yes. That must be—

“I knew he’d have a nice house, but this is…” The woman turned and once again stared out over the valley. “It’s amazing.”

Char worked hard to keep her breathing under control. Because, no, this was not any ordinary woman from Nick’s past. On some level, she knew it the moment she’d seen her. This petite blonde woman was Amelia’s mother. Charlotte knew it in her gut, and it was a million times worse than if it had been Billy waiting for her.

She tried to keep her voice light when she asked the question that would confirm what she already knew. “And you are?”

The woman turned then and slipped her glasses off her face so Char was looking directly into eyes that were identical to baby Amelia’s, when she spoke with complete confidence. “My name is Jessica Silva. I’m here for my daughter.”

ChapterThirteen

“What the actual…”Stephanie collapsed against the railing, unable to speak between gasping breaths. She dropped her head down in an effort to catch her breath. When Nick had called to tell her he was in town for a quick trip, she’d jumped at the chance to see him, of course. He was one of her best friends and with their crazy schedules, she’d take whatever opportunity she could to catch up with him. But she had not thought that his idea of catching up would be on a running track, sprinting until her lungs were on fire.

“Trouble keeping up?” Nick looked at her with complete seriousness.

“Yes,” she said as she stood straight again. “Of course I’m having trouble keeping up. What the hell has gotten into you? Besides, I thought you were busy working on your dad bod now. How are you even so fit?”

That got a smirk out of him, but only a quick one. “Ready to go again?”

“Nick!”

He looked at her with genuine surprise.

“Talk to me. What has you all fired up like a crazy man?”

Nick bounced on the balls of his feet. “I met with my lawyer earlier.” He shook his head before she could ask for more details. “No. I’m not talking about it.”

Steph understood, as much as anyone could understand. She also knew if he wanted advice, he’d ask for it. And he hadn’t.

“You okay?”

He nodded but then shrugged.

“Mostly okay?”

That got a small smile out of her friend. “I am. Thank you. I know you’re just concerned and I appreciate it, but there’s just nothing more we can do. We’re really doing all we can. The other day, we had our caseworker visit and I think she…well, I…” His mouth widened into a full-fledged smile.

“We?” Steph wiggled her eyebrow. “We as in, Char and Nick?”

“Well, yes…we are doing this together.”

“Oh, I know that look.” Steph pulled one of her legging-clad legs up into a stretch. Her muscles would be screaming after this workout. And the longer she could keep him talking, the less running they’d be doing. “That is the look of a man who is completely smitten with his fake fiancée.”

“What are you…” Nick roughed his hand over his stubble-covered chin. “What does that even look like?”

“You.” Steph switched legs and started to stretch out the other one. “It looks exactly like you. Don’t deny it.”

“Okay.”

She dropped her leg and stared at her friend. “What? Are you serious?”

He shrugged.

“Youaresmitten with her? I thought it was all casual and easy. No expectations.” She used air quotes with each description.

But Nick simply stared at her and shrugged again. “It was supposed to be, but…” He looked down and shook his head. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

---