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Let Al go? As in permanently, forever and for all time? Nick
knew it was something he might have to consider, but could he
actually go through with it? Moving to Vegas didn t count because
he d been sure Al would eventually come after him, and he had. I
don t want to go back. I really don t. The thought of looking for a
new place to live and then all the hassle of starting up a new
business is enough to make me puke. Plus, as you say, the same
conditions still exist.
Just then, Trip turned and captured Nick s gaze. Suddenly, the
air between them felt thick with tension, expectant, and Nick
noticed something in Trip s expression he d never thought to see.
It reminded him of those longing but resigned looks he d seen on
kids faces at Christmastime when they checked out stuff in the
store windows, knowing their parents couldn t afford to buy it for
them.
Would it surprise you if I said I don t want you to go either?
Nick was quite aware something important had just happened
between him and Trip, except he was unwilling, or perhaps he was
just too afraid, to acknowledge what it was. Was Trip trying to tell
him he was gay? Usually Nick knew right away, but the odd time
he didn t. Then again, maybe he d misinterpreted Trip s look, or
seen what he wanted to see rather than what was there.
In an attempt to cover his confusion, he laughed and said, I m
sure you don t because then you d have to find someone else to
make Silvia s dreams of that Italian fish restaurant a reality.
Trip laid a hand lightly on Nick s forearm. No, Nick. That s
not the reason I don t want you to go. It s not even close.
53
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Nick sucked in a breath, still feeling very much off balance. So
he d guessed correctly, and Trip was gay. Even so, it seemed weird
he hadn t managed to figure that out for himself in the three
months he d been working for the man. Maybe it was because until
a few minutes ago, he d been under the impression Trip was a
widower with a child.
Trip drained his glass, put it back on the bar and stood up.
Feel like trying your luck on the machines for a while?
* * *
When Nick got home, a little after eleven, he found Al already
there, watching an old movie on TV and drinking what looked like
tea.
How was the wedding?
Everything went off just fine. No hitches, glitches, or last
minute problems. I actually had a good time. What about you? Did
you have fun with your friend?
Nick sat down beside Al on the blue velvet sofa. Yeah, I did. I
wasn t in the mood for poker, so we played the slots for a change.
You know I said Trip was married with a kid? Well, it seems I was
wrong. The conversation I overheard was about someone else, not
him.
The muscles around Al s mouth pulled tight. And this affects
me how?
Nick couldn t resist pushing Al s jealousy button a tiny bit
harder on the off chance it would make him think and perhaps
bring him to his senses. No way I know of. I just thought you d
like to know you were right about him, that s all.
Did you win?
54
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Pulling a roll of bills from his pocket, Nick grinned as he
dropped it on the table. Last machine I played, I won a thousand
bucks. Whadya think about that?
That you re lucky. Wrapping an arm around Nick s
shoulders, Al pulled him close. But then I always knew that. You
got me, doncha, babe?
I may have at one time, but not any more.
Al withdrew his arm and frowned. Come on, Nick. Don t start
giving me a hard time. You re the one who left. If you ll just come
back home, I ll be all yours again in a heartbeat.
Nick gave him a skeptical glance. Not while Hilldale has you,
you won t. And from where I m sitting, they have you by the
balls.
To Be Continued&
55
CHRISTIANE FRANCE
Christiane truly believes that love makes the world go round, so
she likes stories with both happy and bittersweet endings.
Christiane has been writing romance for the past twenty years and
lives near Niagara Falls with her husband and The Boys two
black and white Persian cats.
* * *
Don t miss I m Sorry
by Christiane France,
available at AmberAllure.com!
Misinformation and misunderstandings drove Chad Varaday and
Reese Harmer apart and shattered their dream of a new life
together&
Ten years later, the men meet again in Las Vegas, and try to figure
out what went wrong between them. Reese, however, tells a
completely different story to the one he gave back in New York,
and now Chad s convinced that what he heard was true and Reese
is lying. The problem is, he still loves Reese, and Reese says he
feels the same way.
But can love overcome all the hurt and the pain and give them a
second chance at happiness?
AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC
THE GOLD STANDARD IN PUBLISHING
QUALITY BOOKS
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