Betrayed Hearts (7 page)

Lily smiled and pointed to her own head. “Look, honey, Maxi just did my hair. Do you like it?”

Jenny poked her thumb in her mouth which temporarily stopped the noise. Her eyes widened, seeming mesmerized by Lily. Nick could totally relate.

“Would you like Maxi to do yours like this? Like a princess?”

Jenny's thumb came out. “With a crown?”

Lily exchanged glances with Maxi who nodded. “Yes, with a crown.”

The little girl considered the idea and then held out her arms to Lily. Justine's eyebrows shot upward, mirroring Nick's own surprise. Lily hesitated for a second, before gathering Jenny to her. Over the toddler's head, Nick saw Lily's lids flutter closed. She pressed her nose to the girl's hair, appearing to breathe in her scent. When her eyes opened, a sheen of love glistened there. Nick's heart did a slow roll in his chest.

She deposited Jenny gently in the chair, and Maxi swooped in to take over.

“Thank you, so much.” Justine pushed wisps of bangs off her forehead. “You have a real knack with kids. Have any of your own?”

A force compelled Nick to move closer.

Lily lifted her gaze—a swirl of longing and despair. “Not yet but maybe someday.”

 

****

 

Lily waved at Jenny as she left with her mama, her newly-trimmed hair topped with a plastic tiara that Maxi had stashed in the back. Such a precious little girl—one who brought unbidden yearning to her soul. Lily remembered wondering if she were pregnant once during her rocky relationship with Curtis. For a week, she'd had time to imagine what it would be like to have her own child, a tiny being to love unconditionally, who would love her in return. But it turned out to be a false alarm, and a secret part of her mourned the loss of that fragile dream.

She sighed. Now knowing Curtis's true nature, it was probably for the best. No child deserved him as a father.

The front door swung open again, jangling Lily out of her daydreams. Marco Messini swaggered up to the desk. Sunglasses hid his eyes until he pulled them off and whistled. “Look at you, Lily-belle, all gussied up. Must've known we were going out tonight.”

She pushed all thoughts of babies from her mind to focus on her customer. Behind her, the clanging of tools on metal ceased abruptly. In the tense silence, Lily became hyper aware of Nick's movements in the background.

She smiled at Marco. “What can I do for you?”

He winked. “You can join me for dinner tonight.”

Though she found Marco's easy-going confidence amusing, Lily had no interest in going out with him. But before she could think of a polite excuse, a shadow loomed over her right shoulder.

“Why don't you do Lily a favor and leave her alone?”

The underlying warning in Nick's gruff voice raised the hairs on the back of Lily's neck.

Marco's smile changed to a scowl. “How is this any of your business, Mr. Handyman?”

Lily glanced over her shoulder. A nerve pulsed in Nick's jaw, while his eyes stayed trained on Marco.

“Just looking out for Lily's best interests—which means staying far away from you.”

In the midst of the heated male emotions swirling around her, Lily's own temper rose. The last thing she needed was another male meddling in her life. She'd had enough of her father's
interference.

Pushing up from her chair, she glared at Nick. “I'm perfectly capable of deciding whom I will or will not date. The fact that you're my landlord does not give you a say in my social life.”

Nick pinned her with a look somewhere between hurt and anger. “My mistake. I thought we were becoming friends.”

When he stalked back to the dryer, shame squeezed the air from Lily's lungs, but a second later, annoyance flared. How dare he make her feel guilty? She could go out with whomever she wished. She turned back to Marco. “I'd love to have dinner with you tonight.” She made sure her sugar-sweet voice was loud enough for Nick to hear. The clanking of tools increased behind her.

Marco beamed, all evidence of ill-humor gone. “Great. I'll pick you up at six.”

He waved to Maxi—who Lily thought had shown remarkable restraint staying out of the conversation—and sailed out the door, whistling off-key.

Lily sank back onto her chair and let out a long breath, still not entirely sure how she'd ended up agreeing to a date with Marco Messini.

 

****

 

The next few hours passed in a blur, and the time for Chloe Martin's manicure arrived. Peg had turned up for her shift just as Nick left and was now busy with a color job. Lily could barely concentrate long enough to answer the phone or take down appointments. Every few minutes, she had to wipe her damp palms on her skirt and remind herself to breathe in a normal fashion.

Maxi hovered near the reception desk, chatting about what Lily should wear to dinner with Marco, but Lily didn't hear a word. When the door jangled open at precisely three thirty, Lily's gaze flew to the front. An attractive dark-haired girl burst in, her focus glued to the cell phone in her hand. Lily stared, drinking in every detail of the girl's appearance—the light brown eyes, high cheekbones and chin-length bob. From her attire and the hefty pack on her back, she appeared to be a high school student—just the right age to be her sister.

The girl looked up from her phone and smiled past Lily. “Hey, Maxi. How's it going?”

“Hi, Chloe. Just peachy. Hope you haven't been biting those nails again.”

Chloe grinned as she held out her hand for inspection. “Nope. I've been good.”

As though sensing Lily's scrutiny, Chloe turned her head, a slight frown bringing her thin eyebrows together. Lily rose from her chair on shaky legs. She tried to speak, but her dry throat closed up.

“Oh, sorry.” Maxi waved a hand in her direction. “Chloe, this is Lily, our new receptionist and my new neighbor. Lily, this is Chloe.”

Lily forced her trembling lips into a smile. “Nice to meet you, Chloe.”

“Same here.” With a brief nod, Chloe dismissed her and turned her attention to Maxi. “Can we get started? I gotta help Mom before I can go out tonight.”

The rest of her words trailed away as Chloe followed Maxi to the manicure area.

Lily's rubbery legs gave out from beneath her. She sank onto her chair and forced herself to focus on the appointment book so she wouldn't stare.

The same heart-shaped face, the same wide eyes and dark hair. The resemblance was undeniable. An arc of electricity raced through Lily's system, her body confirming what her brain had only started to comprehend.

Lily had just met her sister.

 

 

 

 

5

 

Nick couldn't concentrate on his studies that night. First, the hard spokes of the kitchen chair bit into his back, and no amount of shifting alleviated his discomfort. Then a powerful need for a cola had him rummaging in the fridge. Finally, the incessant drip of the kitchen tap magnified to sound like a form of Chinese water torture.

He slammed the textbook closed and pushed up from the table to pace the linoleum. The real problem—the one he'd been trying to avoid all evening—sat like the weight of a rock on his chest.

Lily's ridiculous date with Marco Messini.

He rubbed his neck and looked up at the wooden clock on the wall. Eight thirty. Would she be home yet? Knowing Marco as he did, Nick doubted it. His hands fisted as images of that slime ball putting the moves on Lily filled his imagination.

Lord, watch over Lily and protect her from Marco's dishonorable intentions.

Nick stalked into the living room, hoping the familiar wallpaper and tattered couches would calm him. He hadn't had the courage to change a thing since his mother passed away. Now, as he forced his thoughts from Lily, Nick took a long look around. His childhood home needed some serious renovations. The outdated furniture, worn carpeting, and peeling wallpaper all had to go.

He still hadn't decided whether to sell the place or make it his permanent residence. This house held so many memories, both good and bad. It would be hard to let it go. But if he did become the minister of Good Shepherd Church, he'd have the rectory to live in.

Nick ran his hand over the smooth mahogany mantel. Selling this house could give him the capital to realize his long-held dream of building a shelter for women. After suffering his father's abuse, Nick had vowed long ago to make sure Rainbow Falls one day opened such a haven. He let out a deep sigh. No matter what he decided, this house would need a major overhaul, but all of that would have to wait until he finished his exams.

He moved to the roll-top desk in the corner of the room where his glance fell on the copy of Lily's rental agreement.
His pulse rate jacked up. Just the excuse he needed to go over and make sure she was OK. Nick grabbed the lease, pulled on his jacket, and raced out the door.

He set out on foot, hoping the fresh evening air would clear the cobwebs from his brain, but his anxiety level heightened two blocks later as he turned onto McIntyre Street and spied the battered Ford in Lily's driveway. He prayed she hadn't allowed Marco up to her apartment, not even for an innocent cup of coffee.

Nothing involving that womanizer was innocent.

Nick's steps slowed at the sight of two people on the front porch, standing much too close together for his liking. He clenched the papers in his hand until they crumpled. What should it matter to him if Lily got friendly with Marco?

The fact that you're my landlord does not give you a say in my social
life.
Lily's angry words flashed through his mind. Though harsh, he couldn't discount the truth of her accusation. It certainly wasn't Lily's fault she brought all his protective instincts to the surface. Then again, she didn't know Marco Messini the way he did.

Nick debated whether to turn back and bring the papers over the next day, but the unease at the back of his neck intensified. Something about the scene didn't sit right. Nick moved closer to get a better view. Marco had Lily pinned tight against his chest, and she seemed to be struggling.

“Let go of me.”

The hint of fear in Lily's voice lit a match to Nick's temper. The papers fluttered to the ground as he made a wild dash across the lawn and up the few stairs. With the element of surprise on his side, he pulled Marco up by the collar of his leather jacket and flung him onto the grass below. Marco landed heavily on his back. Nick glared over the railing. “When are you going to learn to keep your hands to yourself, Messini?”

While Marco crawled to his knees, Nick turned his attention to Lily, expecting a show of gratitude or relief.

Instead, a dangerous light blazed in her dark eyes. “What do you think you're doing?”

The adrenaline surge still sang through Nick's body like a jolt of electricity. “Saving you from that punk's wandering hands.”

“I had the situation under control,” she snapped. “I don't need any would-be hero acting all macho—”

“Could I speak to you in private for a minute?” Nick said through gritted teeth.

At the wary look in her eyes, he took a calming breath and made an effort to relax his shoulders. “Please? It's important.”

Lily darted a glance at the ground where Marco had started to pull himself up. She bit her lip and lifted her chin. “All right. You have five minutes. Then I want you gone.”

Nick nodded and followed her inside, making sure to lock the front door behind them. They made their way up to her apartment in silence. Lily unlocked the door and motioned him inside. He noted she left the door wide open. Was she afraid of him now? A tug of remorse sat under his skin as he walked into the living room and pushed his hands deep into his pant pockets.

“You probably think I'm acting like a lunatic,” he said, “but I have my reasons.”

“Such as?” She flayed him with a scathing glare, arms crossed in mutiny.

“Let's just say I know all about Marco's dating techniques.”

“What does that mean?”

Nick faltered, torn between explaining himself and keeping a personal confidence. He walked to the fireplace and stared into the pit of ashes, as though the solution would magically appear.

Lord, give me the right words to make her understand
.

He turned back to face her. “Someone I'm close to had an unpleasant experience on a date with him. From that, and from other women I've talked to, I know how he operates. He expects…repayment...for the price of the meal he buys.”

Instead of appeasing her, Lily seemed even angrier. She stalked to the other side of the room. “I've dated a lot of guys like Marco,” she bit out, “and I've always managed just fine.” The last words were fierce in their intensity. “I've been looking out for myself since I was ten years old. I don't need any help from you.”

He took a cautious step toward her, as though approaching a wounded animal. “What happened when you were ten?”

The unexpected question seemed to catch her off guard. She bit down on her quivering bottom lip, before turning toward the fireplace, her face shielded by a curtain of hair. For a minute he thought she wouldn't answer. “My mother died,” she said at last.

The sorrow in her voice tore at his heart, bringing his own grief roaring to life. “I'm sorry. I know how hard that is.”

He watched her attempt to get control of her emotions, astonished at how much he wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her. “What about your father?” He remembered she didn't get along with him. Maybe now he'd find out why.

She snapped her gaze upward, boring into his. The anguish on her face nearly undid him. “Any affection he had for me died with my mother. He blames me for her death.” Her chin quivered. “I don't know why I'm telling you this.”