Pulled (39 page)

And at the end of the day, we’d always find ourselves back at his apartment.

I was playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Nicholas, teetering on the line between accomplishing the goal I’d set and exposing what was going on between Daniel and me. I knew Nicholas would eventual y find out about us, but I hoped that I would be long gone before that happened.

Nicholas had been watching my every move, studying me as I moved about the house. I knew that I wanted him to see a difference in me, to feel that a change was coming. Stil , I couldn’t control the natural instinct I felt to hide it from him. On some level, I’d always been a little fearful of Nicholas, though I’d never real y cared because I’d thought I had nothing to lose. But now, truly, I was terrified of him, terrified of what he would destroy. Yet, I pressed on, determined to do this.

I slung the strap of the overnight bag over my shoulder and went downstairs. It was only five-fifteen, and he was already home. Never in nine years had he been home this early unless he had a real reason to be, and I knew that reason was me. There was no way I would al ow his presence to deter my plans for the night. His eyes narrowed when he noticed the bag draped around my shoulder. “Going somewhere?”

I prayed that he didn’t see the way my muscles flinched under his menacing tone, and I raised my chin to look him straight in the eye. “Katie’s. I’l be back in the morning.”

I saw the rise of his chest as he breathed in and held it. His anger made a visible ascent up his neck and settled on his reddened cheeks. I could see the war in his eyes as he decided how to best deal with my insubordination. The way his lip twitched and his fists flexed and released, it was clear he wanted to tear me apart.

Instead, his mouth spread into a cocky, arrogant grin, and his head tilted to the side. “Mm, I see.” I was pretty sure “I see” meant he could see right through me, but I didn’t wait for him to clarify. Hurriedly, I escaped the room and his knowing eyes, threw my stuff in my car, and left as quickly as possible.

I was suddenly very thankful for the arrangement Katie and I had made earlier. I planned go to her house and change for the dinner with Daniel’s family, leave my car at the Preston’s, and then she’d drive me to Daniel’s place to drop me off. I real y didn’t think I could stomach another near miss with Nicholas.

I sat in Katie’s car, hoping I wouldn’t be late. My knee bounced as I watched the clock draw closer to six. Of course, Katie wouldn’t al ow that. She pul ed up in front of Daniel’s building just before six. She slammed the brakes as she brought us to an abrupt stop. “Thank you so much, Katie. I’m so sorry I have you involved in this.” I waved my hand toward Daniel’s building, feeling guilty that I was putting her in this situation once again.

“Pssh.” She shrugged my concerns off, turning and giving me a quick hug. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you like this.” She laughed. “Plus, Nicholas is pissed, right? I mean, how much better could this night get?”

I returned her laugher and shook my head as I gathered my things. “Yeah. Let’s just pray he doesn’t show up at your house tonight.” I stepped onto the curb, leaning in and thanking her once again.

I rushed upstairs. Daniel opened the door, standing at the entrance of his apartment in black dress pants and a maroon button up, the sleeves rol ed. He never ceased to take my breath away. He immediately took me in his arms, his scent washing over me.

“Hi.” I pul ed back to see his face, grinning at the joy I found.

“Hi, beautiful.” His hand ran through the curls that settled on my shoulder. Raking his eyes over my body, he appraised my charcoal gray cowl neck sweater and black skinny pants. They rested a beat longer on my favorite stiletto boots. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you.” I smiled warmly at him because I real y meant it. I loved that he noticed. Daniel was the only one I’d ever wanted to impress. He grabbed his keys and wal et from the smal table beside the door and tucked me into his side. “Ready?”

The forty-minute drive passed quickly. We pul ed up in front of the most beautiful house I’d ever seen, both grand and humble. Only the group of people waiting anxiously on the portico was more captivating.

I’d anticipated being timid and unsure of myself, insecure of exactly what my place would be, but as soon as I saw their faces, I was gone. My hand was on the door handle before the car came to a complete standstil . I hurled myself from the car and raced into Julia’s waiting arms. We crushed each other in our embrace, barely aware that we were both crying and laughing at the same time. It felt amazing to hold this woman who meant so much to me—

this woman who had long ago become my mother. We pul ed back, just enough to look at each other, to take in the change.

Julia was every bit as beautiful as she’d always been, her age only adding to her grace. She stepped back, taking both of my hands in hers, inspecting me. It reminded me of the way a new mother would take her baby and look her over, count her fingers and toes, make sure she was complete. She pul ed me back into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered.

I nodded against her and squeezed her once more before turning to Patrick who’d been standing almost patiently at her side. I grinned up at him as he reached for me. “Hi, Patrick.” My voice was soft. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and his strong arms wrapped around my shoulders. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Welcome home, Melanie.”

I wiped the tears from my eyes and stood straight, focusing on Erin who was standing behind us. I knew it was taking everything she had to not to rush me and to give me a moment to reunite with the rest of the family. As soon as our faces met, though, neither of us could wait any longer, and we threw ourselves at each other.

“Shal we head inside? Dinner wil be ready in about ten minutes.” Julia brushed her fingers over the back of my hand, and she turned to lead everyone inside, smiling over her shoulder at me as she walked through the door.

I hugged myself as I watched my family—
my
family
—fol ow her. I dried the last of my tears as I prepared myself to share a table with them. Turning, I met the hazel eyes burning into the back of my head. Daniel’s face was indescribable, breathtaking, as if he’d just seen paradise from where he stood at the bottom of the steps. I reached out for him, my fingers extended, the energy flowing freely in the space between us. His mouth twisted up at the corners as I silently asked him to be by my side, his feet immediately bringing him to me. I turned to walk inside, but he stopped me, taking my face in his hands.

He stared intently at me, placing a firm, closed-mouth kiss against my lips. “Thank you.”

I beamed up at him, running the back of my hand over his smooth cheek and down his neck. I nodded in acceptance because while I could object, tel him that I should be the one thanking him, and that I was the one benefitting from it al , I knew he was every bit as grateful for my return to this family as I was.

We stepped inside, and I couldn’t help but stand in awe. The house was incredible; a perfect flow of past and present as if a person could walk through a museum and stil feel at home. I absolutely loved that Julia shared my penchant for antiques. Daniel chuckled, pul ing me forward when the particularly charming sideboard adorning the foyer distracted me. “We’l explore later.” I smiled meekly. “Oops. Sorry.”

The others had already found their seats when we entered the dining room. The conversation was loud and carefree as dishes passed and plates fil ed. I found Julia’s face and looked at her meaningful y when I saw she’d made my favorite chicken dish. She shrugged and drew her fork to her mouth, clearly gratified I’d noticed her display of affection.

My eyes darted back and forth across the table.

Everyone took turns sharing stories and fil ing me in on everything I’d missed in the last nine years. The table was fil ed with near constant laughter and mirth. The mood only darkened for a few moments when Patrick told of how he had lost his beloved aunt two years before.

I never felt uncomfortable—not once. I’d thought perhaps I would feel somewhat like an outsider, the second-wife who never quite fit in. Instead, it was as if a place at this table had been sitting empty while this family awaited my return.

Daniel’s touch was never far. His hand rested on my knee, intertwined with my own, or played with the smal hairs at the nape of my neck. I didn’t miss the way his family watched his every move. Patrick’s eyes widened when Daniel offered up a different version of the story Erin told, teasing that she could never tel a story without exaggerating it. Patrick’s contented expression only grew with each story they told. Whenever Daniel laughed, Julia become nearly delirious as if she were hearing music for the very first time. And Erin, while she’d always been one of the happiest people I knew, I’d never seen her like this. She absolutely glowed.

It was then I realized this dinner wasn’t just welcoming me back but Daniel as wel .

For dessert, Julia served coffee and her

homemade apple pie. We al fel into a very relaxed state, our bodies sated. The easy conversation continued as we sat and sipped our coffee.

Daniel leaned in and whispered in my ear, “You ready for that tour now?”

I grinned, and he stood to help me to my feet. He led me from room to room, giving me time to explore everything. I loved al that Julia had done to create such an amazing home, but honestly, I was more drawn to the photos in each room. There were pictures I’d seen before of Daniel and Erin as children, and it was heartwarming to see them again, jogging old memories of stories I’d heard about their youth. Then there were those I’d never seen, ones of things I’d missed—family vacations, Daniel’s graduation from medical school, past Christmases—each a glimpse of a time that had simply stood stil for me.

What struck me most was the expression on Daniel’s face in every single one, each depicting an empty, hol ow man.

Daniel was patient while I examined everything, each piece holding a story. It was obvious Julia never purchased anything unless it touched her in some way.

Daniel stood behind me with his chin resting on my shoulder, tel ing me about the painting his parents had acquired on their last trip to Europe for their thirtieth anniversary. It was from an unknown artist and hanging on the wal in the upstairs study. It was mesmerizing, capturing the life-long love affair of an aging couple. “I guess Dad saw it and looked at Mom and said, ‘we’re half way there,’

and she had to have it.”

I couldn’t imagine a better anniversary gift, one that was a testament to the love they’d shared and a promise of what was stil to come. The energy swel ed between us, both of us caught up in the hope of that kind of love, the kind that Patrick and Julia shared, the kind that lasted forever.

“You about ready to go home?” He pressed a smal kiss into my neck, nuzzling his nose into my hair.

I nodded, both reluctant to leave my family and eager to be alone with Daniel.

I fol owed him downstairs, the night having grown late. Erin bid everyone goodnight, and went upstairs, tired from the long day of travel. We told Patrick and Julia goodnight after promising them we would be back soon.

Daniel helped me into my jacket before we stepped into the chil y night. He started the car and drove back toward the city. I couldn’t wait to get back to his apartment, knowing the only thing better than fal ing asleep in Daniel’s arms was going to be waking up in them.

“Okay, see you tomorrow. Bye.”

I hung up with Mom, ringing my hands together, trying to calm myself as it sank in that the day had nearly arrived. The past three weeks had been nothing short of amazing. I had spent every minute I could with Daniel, but I wasn’t blind; I knew it was starting to wear on him. It seemed as if he held me a little tighter and kissed me a longer each time we said goodbye. I took comfort in knowing it was almost over. I’d decided to leave as soon as Mom left after her visit for Thanksgiving.

It had given me the time I needed to put a closure on my previous life and afforded me a week with Mom, one without interruptions, a time when she and I could get to know each other again.