Erin, and her husband, Cole.
âLooks like itâs family night,â Sam said, calling them over. âHow did you two get away?â
Erin had had a baby six months ago and rarely left her daughterâs side.
His sister greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. âMom showed up and practically shoved us out the door. She said we needed a break and she needed time with Angel.â The hazel eyes she shared with Sam lit up when she mentioned her baby daughter.
Cole slipped an arm around Erinâs waist, greeting Sam with a nod. âSheâs already called home twice to remind your mother about the time of her next bottle and what to do if she cries.â
âLike she didnât raise three of us?â Sam teased his sister.
âFunny,â Erin said to her brother. âAnd
he
ââshe poked her husband with her elbowââalready called Mom to make sure she had our cell phones on speed dial.â
Sam still couldnât believe theyâd gone from his sister getting pregnant after a one-night stand with Cole Sanders, undercover cop with no intention of remaining in town, to being a happily married couple and overly concerned parents.
âAll my favorite people are here!â Sam turned at the sound of Macyâs voice.
Erin spun and gave her best friend a hug.
âHow is that adorable goddaughter of mine?â Macy asked.
âCute as ever.â Erin beamed.
âHon, want to go get a drink?â Cole asked her.
Erin nodded.
âAnyone else want anything?â Cole asked.
âIâm good,â Macy said.
âMe too,â Sam added.
Erin and Cole walked toward the bar, leaving Sam alone with Macy. She was his sisterâs best friend, so he was used to her being around.
âHi, Macy. How are you?â
âHi yourself.â Her smile, as usual, was infectious. âIâm good. Busy as usual. You?â
He shrugged. âSame old.â
She shook her head, her long dark hair falling over one shoulder, and sighed. âYou so need to get laid.â
Sam rolled his eyes, not surprised by her outgoing ways. In addition to her blunt manner, she was beautiful, sort of exotic, her Italian heritage showing through. If she hadnât been like family, he might have looked twiceâuntil she started busting his balls, that is. She wasnât for him, but no doubt sheâd give some guy a run for his money.
She glanced around, a frown furrowing her eyebrows. âWhereâs Nicole?â
Sam whipped his head around to meet her gaze. âWho?â He had to have heard wrong. That or it could be another Nicole. It was a common enough name.
Macy scanned the crowds before refocusing on Sam. âYou probably know her? Nicole Farnsworth, the stalkerâs sister? Sheâs new in town and renting the room over Joeâs. I invited her to meet me here tonight.â Macy glanced at her watch, and her concerned expression turned to a frown. âSheâs late. You havenât seen her, have you?â
Sam expelled a harsh breath. Nicole had moved here? Months of thinking about her and she was now as close as upstairs?
âMaybe sheâs uncomfortable, not knowing anyone . . . and considering I mistook her for her crazy sister at first . . . I should go check on her.â She shoved her glass at Sam. âHold this for me?â
Sam shook his head. âIâll go.â
Macy narrowed her gaze and stepped into Samâs direct path. âSo you do know her.â
He nodded, his heart racing at the thought of seeing her again. No woman had ever made him feel so many things in such a short time. Protective, aroused, attracted . . .
âAnd youâre interested,â Macy concluded in the wake of his silence.
âNo comment. Iâm going upstairs. You can hold down the fort here.â This time he handed her his beer bottle.
Macy watched him, her stare too perceptive for his
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