Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
And if he ever discovered the person who’d violated her home, taken and sold the nude photos, and put the look of fear and humiliation in her expression? It would take all of his brothers and his best friends to hold Asher back.
He glanced at the dog, who stared at him through soulful eyes, and groaned. From the look of things, he was in love with his best friend’s younger sister. What the fuck was he going to do about it?
* * *
To Nikki’s surprise, she was able to put her problems aside and go downstairs for Michael and Serenity’s small anniversary party. When she arrived, Harrison, Zach, and Michael were sharing drinks and laughing, lightening Nikki’s heart. From the look of things, Asher and his father had patched up whatever issues and discomfort remained from yesterday’s outburst.
She didn’t want to bother them, nor did she see Serenity, so she walked toward the kitchen. The sound of female voices beckoned, and she stepped into the large room where Maggie stood, plating appetizers on a serving dish.
“Mmm. Smells good,” Nikki said as she stepped into the kitchen.
Serenity turned. “Nikki, come join us.” She tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear and waved Nikki over.
“I wanted to see if I could help with anything,” she said, joining them.
Serenity smiled. “I was asking the same thing, but Maggie insists on doing everything herself.”
“Because it’s your anniversary and Nikki is a guest.” Maggie picked up the platter. “I’m going to see if the men are hungry.”
“When are they not hungry?” Serenity asked with a smile.
Maggie chuckled and walked out.
“So, I heard you had a tough phone call this morning,” Serenity said, pouring a glass of wine and passing it over to Nikki. “I won’t pressure you but if you need a woman’s shoulder, I’m here.”
At that unexpected statement, Nikki picked up a glass and took a long sip. She met Serenity’s warm gaze. “That’s very kind of you, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear about the mess I’m in.” Nikki’s own parents certainly didn’t.
She hadn’t heard from her mother since Derek had told her if she wasn’t going to help then she should back off.
“What’s wrong?” Serenity sat down on a leather-covered barstool and patted the seat next to her. “You look surprised.”
“I guess I am.” Nikki plopped herself onto the stool. “It’s just that my family is very different from yours.”
Serenity tipped her head to the side. “How so? I’ve seen your father on the news and caught sight of your mom from across the room at a luncheon, but I can’t say I’ve met them in person.”
“Then you’re lucky.” Nikki rested her arm on the cold granite countertop. Before Serenity could question her further, Nikki decided to blurt out the truth. “My parents, or at least my mother blames me for any situation I get myself into and this one? It may not be my fault, but the only thing my mother cares about is how it affects my father’s campaign. Not me.”
“But–”
Nikki shook her head. “No buts. She’s upset with me,” she admitted, pressing her palms to her red cheeks, embarrassed her own mother didn’t care enough to worry about her.
“I’m sorry that’s your experience, honey. But you’ve been around us long enough to know that’s not who we are. We genuinely care about you. I know Zach is on the case. And Asher’s there for you. I can see how he feels. It’s in the way he looks at you.” Her smile showed her approval of them as a couple. Another surprise.
Nikki swallowed hard. “I’m so grateful to all of you. But as for Asher, he’s doing my brother a favor by having me here. I know we’ve grown close, but once we get back to reality, he’s going to realize the pressure he’s under. From my age to worry about letting my brother down…”
She shrugged, trying to make it seem like she wouldn’t be devasted when the inevitable happened and he ended things. She was doing her best to think of Asher as her emotional support friend with benefits. Otherwise, the crash when it ended was going to be even harder.
Serenity shook her head, her disagreement obvious by the frown on her face. “Asher is stronger than you give him credit for. When he wants something, he goes after it.” She placed her hand over Nikki’s. “I want you to listen to me. Where you start out and where you end up are not always the same.” She lifted her shoulder in a delicate shrug. “Look at me and Michael.”
A lump rose to Nikki’s throat. “I don’t know that you can compare us that way, but thank you so much for your kindness. I don’t mean to sound… well… pathetic, but I’m not used to that.” Serenity was everything Nikki had always wished for in a mom, and she’d treasure these few minutes for a lifetime.