Perfect Together by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online

truth was she hadn’t known Erin or anyone in Serendipity when she’d driven here to warn her.Her goals in doing so had been twofold, and she might as well be up front with Erin.
    “All I wanted was for my sister to get the help she needed, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.” And she definitely hadn’t wanted her twin to do anything she couldn’t undo, or would have to live with for the rest of her life.
    Erin nodded in understanding.
    “I should thank you for advocating for Victoria’s mental health,” Nicole said to the woman who, at the time of the incident, had also been an assistant district attorney. As the victim, she hadn’t been in charge of the case, but Nicole knew Erin had pushed hard for her sister to get help. “You could have just come down on the side of putting her in jail.”
    “It was the right thing to do,” Erin said.
    A low growl behind her told Nicole that Erin’s husband didn’t agree.
    “Cut it out,” Erin said. “It’s over and done with. Nicole’s living here now, so let’s all play nice.”
    Cole wrapped his arms around her waist and nodded at Nicole. “Welcome to town,” he said, sounding as if he just might mean it.
    “Thank you.”
    “Hi, all!” Macy brought her bubbly personality, taking the pressure off Nicole of dealing with Cole and talk of Victoria’s illness.
    “Hi,” Erin and Nicole said at once.
    “Everyone looks beautiful!” Macy hugged each of them. “Well, not Mr. Sullen, but you are looking handsome.” She pulled the gruff man into a hug.
    “I’ll take that as my cue to mingle,” Cole muttered, extricating himself from Macy’s grip.
    Erinrolled her eyes. He patted her cheek and walked away. “You scare him,” she said to Macy.
    The other woman laughed. “How’s that sweet angel of yours?” Macy asked. “Get it? Her daughter’s name is Angel,” she explained to Nicole.
    The new mother beamed and launched into a description of things only a new mother would appreciate. Any time Tyler had brought up babies, Nicole would lapse into panic mode. Now she understood why. She had only to look at Erin’s beaming face when she looked at her husband to know—Tyler hadn’t been the right man for Nicole to start a family with.
    “What table are you sitting at?” Nicole asked, when they’d finished their conversation.
    “We’re at three. With my brothers and parents,” Erin said.
    “Five,” Macy said, winking at Nicole. “Don’t you worry, I took charge of the whole situation. I wouldn’t leave you alone. We single women have to stick together.”
    Nicole smiled, finally understanding why Macy had been so quick to embrace a friendship with her. It wasn’t just that Macy was warm and generous—she was—but there was more to the dynamic going on. The changes in Erin’s life meant she and Macy didn’t do as many things together anymore. Which meant Macy needed Nicole’s friendship as much as Nicole needed Macy’s. The knowledge eased a painful knot she’d had in her chest since walking in here feeling out of place.
    “So, Nicole, what will you be doing here in town?” Erin asked.
    “I’m looking into opening a specialty bakery, but not right away. I want to start small and see how things catch on,” Nicole explained.
    “Tell her the rest.” Macy nudged her with her arm.
    She’dhad time to fill Macy in about her talk with Trisha the other morning.
    “Well, I’ve spoken to Trisha at the coffee shop, and she said she would be interested in taking in my items and selling them, and Macy said she’d approach her father about doing the same at the restaurant.”
    “What kind of specialty items?” Erin asked.
    “Cupcakes, cookies, pastries . . .”
    “Aunt Lulu bakes pies and cakes, not pastries, so I think it would be fine,” Macy immediately chimed in.
    Erin narrowed her gaze. “Are you sure about that?”
    Nicole blinked. “Is there a problem?”
    Macy shook her head. “Nope. I think Aunt Lulu and Nicole will