Page 6 of My Secret to Protect

‘I can’t believe you all think that.’ I shake my head and stand.

‘Bree, that’s not what we’re saying.’ Cara leans forward, one hand on the top of her belly and one reaching for mine. ‘You deserve everything and more. We’re just worried you’re not giving them a real shot.’

‘Wait, is this little coffee date a set-up?’ I frown as I realize. ‘An intervention?’ Huffing out a laugh, I grip the handlebar of Lucas’s stroller and kick off the break.

‘Bree,’ Zoe’s tone isn’t worried, not about Lucas, she knows he’s safe with me, but she also knows she fucked up. I meet her gaze.

‘I need to cool off. I’m taking Lucas for a walk.’

And without another word, I do just that.

I can’t believe they did this. As I walk through the bustling mall, pushing my sleeping nephew, my mind runs through it all.

Okay, so I’ve been hitting the dating scene hard, and yeah, most of them haven’t gotten past the first date, that’s if they have even shown up for the first one, but my family, my best friends think I should just lower my standards to fit the market? No, screw that.

Every damn day they tell me how incredible their men are. I smile and feel happy for them, but I should settle for justokay? I should settle for no chemistry? The way they look at their guys, the way the guys look at them, it’s magic. It’s passion and fire and peace and love, real, white-hot, burning love. I want that. Ideservethat. I won’t settle for less, not without at least trying to find it.

I stop outside a florist’s shop when Lucas starts to grumble, and I give him his pacifier. Then I look up and watch a man buying an enormous bouquet of pink roses. I’m not a roses kind of girl, but I can’t help the longing I feel as I take in the smile on his face. These aren’t apology roses or condolence roses. These are I love you so much it hurts roses, maybe even, marry me roses.

‘Bree.’ Hearing my name stops me wondering, and I turn to see Nolan approaching with a smile, shopping bags loaded in both hands.

‘Nolan?’ I grin, ‘What are you doing here?’ This mall is out of the way of where he told me he lives, not that I ever went to his place.

‘It’s my niece’s birthday, and she’s terrifying.’ I laugh, knowing how particular my niece Bowie can be. ‘She wanted this specific doll,’ he pulls the doll out of the bag, and I recognize it as one Bo has been asking for, ‘and this is the only place I could find one in stock. Um, did I miss something?’ Nolan nods to the stroller, a confused expression on his face, and I glance at Lucas.

‘No, this is my nephew, Lucas.’

‘Oh.’ He leans in to look over the stroller, and I catch the scent of his cologne. I never liked that scent. It has this sickly sweet note to it that I always felt like I could taste. ‘He’s cute as fuck.’ Smiling, I step back to get some space. ‘So, you’re babysitting?’

‘Not really.’ I can’t help my frown. ‘My sister is here. I just needed to walk. I should head back, I guess.’

I turn, and he starts in the same direction, and when I stop, he laughs and points ahead.

‘I’m heading to the parking lot. If you are going this way, too, can I walk with you?’

I inhale and almost cough as the scent hits the back of my throat, but I nod. ‘Sure.’

‘Bree, you’re back.’ Zoe stands and hugs me as I reach the coffee shop and the table just outside where they’re sitting. I hug her back with one arm, keeping one hand on the stroller handlebar. ‘Who’s this?’

‘Oh, this is Nolan. Nolan, this is my sister, Zoe, my very soon-to-be sister-in-law, Cara,’ I point to the concerned-looking blond, ‘and my meddling friend, Missy.’ She smirks.

‘Hey, ladies.’ Nolan smiles, then steps back, ‘I should get going. Good to see you, Bree.’

‘You too, I hope she loves the doll.’

He grins, then walks away, and I turn back to the table to find the rest of my coven watching him.

‘Who is that?’ Missy asks slowly, with interest, and I roll my eyes.

‘He has an ass you could bounce a coin off of.’

‘Zoe,’ I gasp and glare at my twin, and she shrugs.

‘What? You could. He’s cute too.’

‘Yeah, well, we already dated.’ A collective gasp sounds before I shoot them down. ‘He’s not the one. There was no spark.’ I see all their shoulders drop, but they press their lips together, and I know they’ve discussed staying quiet while I’ve been gone. ‘Look, I know y’all are worried about me, but I won’t settle. I would rather be alone than settle.’ They all nod as the server approaches the table, and I smile up at her. ‘Coffee, black and strong, please.’ I’m a simple girl with simple tastes.

‘And four muffins, dealer’s choice.’ Zoe grins as the server turns from the table and heads back inside. I’m not settling. I deserve the real thing.

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