Nico (Heartbreaker #2) by Evan Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

mom. My mom looks at me over Jill’s shoulder and winks at me. I shake my head and carry Nicola to her mommy. She grabs her out of my arms, hugs her, and kisses her.
    “You be a very good girl. Momma loves you.” She hands her to my mom.
    “Ma, ma, ma. Wub!”
    Jill grabs Nicola by her face and gently kisses her little lips.
    “I wub you too,” Jill says. Our little girl’s face lights up as she looks at her momma. She kisses Nicola one more time before hugging and kissing my mom.
    “I’ll call you or text you when I get up. If she gets to be too much, just bring her back. It’s no problem.”
    “Oh, my sweetheart. We’ll be just fine. Rest and relax. Tonight, we’ll take you out to dinner.”
    I follow my mom to the door and turn when I reach it. “ D ormire bene, bella. Sleep well, beautiful.” She doesn’t say anything. She just bites her lip, whispers goodbye, and then turns away.
    I step out, shutting the door behind me, and make my way down the hall, where my mom and daughter are waiting for the elevator.
     
    ***
     
    Jill
     
    After they left, I lay down on the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever been on. Of course, I couldn’t sleep at first. My mind was whirling. It was much easier to convince myself I was over Nico when I was back home, but being here and near him is messing with my head. I had to remind myself that he’s selfish and destructive. Not to mention the fact that he’d hurt me over and over again, but part of that was my fault for letting him do it in the first place.
    Now, as I lie here in the huge bathtub, I can’t help but think about how great Nico looks. He looks strong. I don’t remember him having that many muscles. His hair is clipped short, and his eyes still have the power to drown me in their blue-gray depths. Every time I was near him earlier, his scent wrapped around me like a blanket, and I wanted to bury my nose in his chest.
    I slide down in the tub until my head is under water and scream. When my face breaks the surface, I wipe the water off of my face and then slap the surface of the water. Every time Nico held our daughter, I wanted to go to them and wrap my arms around them both, but instead, I replayed the day I found him fucking that other girl. It did its job. Seconds later, my feelings about Nico returned to disgust.
    I climb out of the tub a while later and stand in front of the mirror as I wrap a towel around me. When I look in the mirror, I realize that I really need to try and put on some weight. My hip bones are sticking out as well as my collarbone. I have dark circles under my eyes. I apply a few sticky eye patches that are supposed to help with that.
    While I let them work, I moisturize my body and grab some clothes out of the dresser. It’s pretty chilly out. I opt for some black leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt with a long sweater over it.
    Once my clothes are all laid out, I head back into the bathroom, take the patches off, and apply my makeup. I dry my hair and twist it up into a bun on top of my head.
    After I get dressed, I slip on my black riding boots. I look myself over in the mirror and decide I need a little bling, so I pull a long silver necklace out of my jewelry case. I shoot Martine a text and tell her I’m up and ready. Seconds later, she tells me that she’s on her way.
    I make sure my wallet, powder, and lip gloss is in my bag. I also grab Nicola’s pacifier just in case she needs it. I sit down on the bed and wait.
    About ten minutes later, there’s a knock. I grab my bag and my coat and head to the door. I pull it open and shake my head. Nico is standing on the other side, looking incredibly sexy. Ugh! I don’t know what game Martine is playing, but I don’t want her getting disappointed when it doesn’t work.
    I love him, I do, but it’s too late for us. I just want him to have a relationship with our daughter because that’s what’s important. I want to be able to trust my baby’s heart to him. If he breaks it, I