Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1) by Nikki Belaire Read Free Book Online Page A

remains forever constant. Decisive and determined. With his work and with
her. Tiny fireworks burst in her chest. His intentions toward her are always
very clear.
    With a careful hand, Carrie sweeps a glittery bronze eyeshadow
across Shae’s lid. She leans over her kit perched on the black marble
countertop, running her fingers across the tiny plastic cases until she finds
the one she wants. “I know your mom liked you in pink, but this red dress is
perfect. You look beautiful.” Shae tries to nod, but Carrie holds her in place.
“Now, back to my question. Has he ever been arrested? Tried in court?
Convicted?”
    “No.”
    Carrie waves her hand, shooing away the doubt. “Then, ‘alleged’
is just that. Nothing proven. Nothing certain.”
    “I know, but what if it’s true?”
    “Well, the real question is what are you going to do if it is?
Are you going to keep seeing him?”
    Her head immobilized by Carrie’s grip, Shae rubs her fingertips
on the arms of her chair. Uncertain if she can stop even if she wants to. He
fills her thoughts and finds her in her dreams, encouraging her to let him in,
to give in to what frightens her the most. “We had dinner once, and we’ve been working
out with Jason. That’s it.”
    Carrie raises an eyebrow as she assesses her work. “Right. Five
days in a row, but it’s nothing.” She shakes her head. “You’re not fooling me.
He wants more, and so do you.”
    An involuntary smile crosses Shae’s lips, powerless to argue against
what she knows is true.
    “That’s a smile I haven’t seen in a long time. You really like
him, don’t you?”
    Unable to speak with Carrie’s brush on her lips, she shrugs.
    “You have to do what you think is right. But, you Googled him
and he’s never been convicted of anything, he sits on the board of that
domestic violence foundation, and he donates tons of money to them and a few
other charities. Seems like a good guy to me.”
    “He was so upset when he thought I was being abused. It freaked
me out at first. But a man who’s that caring and protective has to be a good
person, right?”
    Carrie puts down her tools and stares at her. “You’re my best
friend, and I know you better than you know yourself. You like this guy and
want to go out with him. If you’re worried, ask him about it.”
    She laughs, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “Yeah, right. What
am I going to say? ‘Thanks for dinner, Nick. By the way, are you in the mob?’”
    “Okay, so I guess that’s a stupid suggestion. But it’s either
that, or go out with him and see what happens. If the police or whoever
investigates that kind of stuff can’t prove anything, then how are you going
to?”
    At a knock on the door, Shae jumps up and hugs her. “Thank you.
You’re always here when I need you.”
    Carrie smiles, but pushes her back. “Stop it or you’ll mess up
your hair.” The expression fades as she turns serious. “It’s the first time
since Evan you’ve even thought about giving someone a chance. I just want to
see you happy.”
    Shae nods before following the waiting PA out of the room.

 
    * * * *

 
    Her heart dances in her chest at Nick waiting for her outside
the locker room. Their first chance to talk without Jason playing big brother
and hovering over them. In two quick steps, he’s in front of her, brushing her
cheek with his lips. “I missed you yesterday.”
    Tingles radiate through her body from his touch and his words.
“I had something for work.”
    “Let me take you out for breakfast.”
    She nods and accepts his hand. Outside, the man she met at his
house stands by the Jeep.
    “You remember Max?”
    She returns the man’s smile. “Of course. It’s nice to see you
again.”
    “You too.”
    Max climbs in the back while Nick steps behind her to lift her
up. She shakes her head. “I’m much better now, thank you.”
    She fights the urge to lean back against his chest while his
fingers linger on her waist and his breath tickles