Perfect Together by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online Page A

complement each other perfectly.”
    “Well, I love the idea! Where would you work? I hear you’re living over Joe’s, and that kitchen is tiny.”
    That was the issue Nicole had run up against, at least in her head, and maybe subconsciously that was the reason she hadn’t filled up the place with food and baking necessities.
    “I’m not sure . . . yet. I’m working on it.” She tapped the side of her head. She was thinking it through, but so far she hadn’t come up with any ideas.
    “You’ll figure something out.” Macy’s gaze drifted to a point beyond them, and her eyes widened. “Listen, I need to go check in with my aunt. She’s looking a little lost, and when Aunt Lulu is at loose ends, trouble happens. I’ll see you at the table,” she said to Nicole, then waved at Erin and walked away.
    Erin shook her head and laughed. “They’re both characters, Macy and her aunt.” She glanced over Nicole’s shoulder, her eyes opening wide. “Sam!” She waved at her brother, indicating he should join them.
    Nicole’sstomach immediately spun like she was on a roller coaster. Not in a panicked,
get me off this ride
kind of way, but in a
this is awesome, I could stay on here for another loop
kind of way. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d felt so excited about a man. Affected by hearing his name, psyched to see him, flushed, silly and girly.
This
was why she’d broken off her engagement, because if she and Tyler didn’t share this in the beginning, what would be left when the newness wore off?
    She pivoted to greet the man who starred in not just her dreams but her fantasies too, only to see he wasn’t alone. She blinked but the fact remained, there was a woman by his side. A pretty blonde, her arm hooked through Sam’s. Nicole had to admit, with their light hair and good looks, they made a striking couple, and more than a few heads turned as they made their way across the room.
    Nicole’s stomach, along with her hopes, plummeted at the sight, and she now knew what Sam had been about to tell her the other day. She drew her shoulders back, determined to get through this with grace and class. Her disappointment could come later, when she was alone.
    Erin hugged her brother. “You two know each other, right?” Erin asked, oblivious to the undercurrent between them.
    “Of course. It’s good to see you again.” Swallowing over her unreasonable hurt and disappointment, Nicole managed a politeness she didn’t feel.
    Sam’s gaze remained steady on hers, but she didn’t let herself make eye contact.
    “Sam, aren’t you going to introduce me?” his date asked.
    Nicole forced a smile and waited for the inevitable.
    Sam physically felt Nicole’s discomfort, and he wishedshe would at least look up and see him, understand he wasn’t happy about this situation either.
    “Margie, you know my sister, Erin, and this is Nicole Farnsworth. She’s new in town. Nicole, this is Margie Stinson. Her parents are big donors for tonight’s event,” he said, hoping she’d have to look at him now.
    “It’s nice to meet you,” Nicole said, her voice sweet, covering the obvious hurt Sam knew he’d inflicted. “That’s wonderful of your parents. It’s a very worthy cause. In fact, that’s how Macy persuaded me to come tonight.” She paused and glanced around. “Speaking of Macy, I need to go find her.”
    “Nicole—” Erin called her name, obviously sensing something was wrong.
    Nicole had already walked away, but not before Sam caught the wounded look in her eyes, and he muttered a curse.
    His sister glanced at him, clearly confused.
    Sam didn’t have time for Erin’s curiosity or Margie’s arm still entwined with his. With every step Nicole took away from him, Sam felt opportunity and something more slipping away.
    “I need to see to something,” he said, tipping his head in the direction of where Nicole had gone, shooting his sister a pleading look.
    Erin narrowed her eyes, suspicion in her