Page 4 of Never and Always
Shewas temptation, not Bella or any of the other would-bes that Glenn tried to set him up with. Mia was the real deal who could lure him into doing anything if shewanted.
She was also the one thing Glenn was completely protectiveof.
Nick last saw her five years ago, and there was a reason why he hadn’t since. He had an inkling before that he shouldn’t dare venture on the path to her, with her being his best friend’s sister and the eight-year age difference—which seriously was nothing—but Glenn had told him outright to stay away from her and stop giving her the wrongidea.
Nick, of course, backed off because Glenn was his best friend, and he would never do anything to piss him off like that. They’d been through much as friends, and great as the temptation was, it would be wrong to cross him thatway.
Nick watched Mia cry, bringing her hands up to her cheeks. “My business is gone and he stole ourinheritance.”
“What the fuck do you mean?” Glennroared.
“He stole it,” she cried, nodding. Strands of her golden hair broke free from her pony tail and she brushed it behind her ear. “Everything isgone.”
“How did that happen, Mia?” Glennbalked.
Nick looked at him. He always hated when Glenn spoke to her likethat.
Glenn’s overpowering, big-brother senses made him go over the top sometimes. Completely over, and it was unnerving to watch. Nick knew he was just trying to look out for her, but sometimes it was too much and he would come across as intimidating, obnoxious even, and like he was trying to discipline achild.
Mia hadn’t been a child in years; she was thirty now and shouldn’t have to be treated like that, regardless of what hadhappened.
“Mia, God damn it, answer me! I’m so sick of you and your shit!” Glenn was shouting now and looked like he was going to lose his temper and hitsomething.
“Hey man, cool it!” Nick cut in. He couldn’t help it. He had to say something because Mia was crying so much she wasshaking.
The interjection made them both turn to look athim.
Glenn was seething, annoyed that he was interrupted. Nick could deal with that just fine. He was used to Glenn and his ever-changingmoods.
ButMia…
Despite her tears, when she looked at him with those sea green eyes it felt like she was staring straight into his soul. He watched realization fill them and her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. Then, damn him, he felt that twinge of attraction for her he knew heshouldn’t.
“Nick?” She breathed in a soft voice. “When didyou—”
“This is not the time for reunions,” Glenn interjected abruptly, staring daggers athim.
Nick watched him take hold of Mia’s arm and pull her away towards the study. She looked back at Nick, her eyes still taking him in and assessing, as if she was trying to work out if he was reallythere.
Nick stared after her, too, knowing Glenn wanted her away from him so he could speak to her in private without theinterruption.
Wow, what a start to theday.
Somehow he knew he wasn’t going to be taking that run outside or going to sort anything out at the office, because the one person that could change his plans had suddenly walked back into hislife.
He just wasn’t sure if that was a good or badthing.
