Page 90 of Perfect Together
Sam stifled a chuckle. After the year of his father’s cancer, news and updates and problems, he understood why Simon reacted the way he had.
“Okay, grandpa times two,” Mike said, unable to contain his smile.
A grin split Simon’s face. “You’re having a baby!”
“I knew it!” Ella said, launching herself at Cara and pulling her into a hug. “Long bouts of nausea, unable to sit at the table and look at food. I was wondering when you would figure it out or at least fill us in.”
Cara hugged Ella back. Her relationship with her own mother was difficult because of the woman’s unwillingness to leave Cara’s abusive father, so Sam knew how much Ella’s love and support meant to her.
“I should have known you would figure it out before we did. There’s no keeping secrets from you, is there, Mom?” Mike asked, laughing.
Erin and Cole stepped up next for congratulations, then Sam, who, of course, already knew, and Nicole, who pretended it was her first time hearing the news.
Sam watched as she interacted with his brother, who admittedly hadn’t been her biggest fan. But Mike had come around, trusting Sam’s feelings for her over his history with her mentally ill sister.
“I’m thrilled for you,” she said to Cara. “Are you feeling any better?”
“A little. I think telling people has helped my mental state, at the very least.” She shot a glance at Mike, who pulled her in for a hug and a long kiss that had even Sam wanting to look away.
On the other hand, Nicole watched them, a look of pure longing on her face. A look so wistful, like she knew she was seeing something she’d never have.
Sam’s stomach twisted badly, and he glanced away. “Anyone ready for dinner?” he asked, hoping to break the tension building inside him.
The family jumped on the idea of his mom’s food, and the meal was one of the happiest and most fun Sam could remember in a long while. Considering they’d always ribbed each other, joked, and had a good time, that was saying something. Erin wanted to know if Mike and Cara planned on finding out the sex of the baby. Either way, she was mentally planning baby playdates. By the time they’d finished coffee and dessert—his mom being smart enough to serve only Nicole’s meringue puffs and not anything she’d made or bought too—Sam was ready for grown-up time.
Beneath the table, he reached out and placed his hand on Nicole’s thigh. Through her long skirt, he felt the heat of her skin against his palm, or at least he imagined he could feel it. His body thought so too, igniting at the thought of getting her home and into bed.
He leaned over. “Ready to get going?” he whispered, his hand trailing higher.
“Behave,” she whispered back. “I want to help your mom clean up.”
“Nonsense,” Ella said, having heardthat. “Guests don’t clean up.”
“But...”
“Go,” Ella insisted.
Sam rose from his seat. “You heard the lady,” he said, pulling out Nicole’s chair.
“Thank you for a delicious meal and a wonderful evening,” Nicole said.
“Our pleasure,” Simon said.
Ella actually snorted in reply. “As if he cooked?” She laughed. “But it is our pleasure. See you soon.” She blew a kiss in their general direction.
“Congratulations again,” Nicole said to Cara and Mike.
“I’ll walk you two out,” Mike said, taking Sam by surprise.
He followed them to the front door, where Sam paused, turning to face his brother, Nicole by his side. “What’s going on?”
“Change of plans. It turns out the DEA was already watching the Romanovs. They have a guy deep undercover and a sting in place. They want us to stand down and stay the hell out of their way.”
Sam glanced at Nicole. Her eyes opened wide. “But... what about the money laundering and my father’s firm? Tyler? And me? They’re after me!” she said, her voice rising.
Sam pulled her tight against him. “You’re going to be fine,” he said, glancing at his brother for reassurance.
“Mike?” Nicole asked.