Adrenaline coursed through her veins as Summer sank onto a chair. Her brother was talking non-stop, but all she could think of was the faces that had stared at her. One face in particular. Nick’s face. He’d looked stunned by her revelations. And right now, he was doubtless facing the forth degree from his entire family.
“You should have told us,” Declan said.
“I didn’t want to disappoint everyone.” Her chest felt tight. “I’ve always been—”
“What? A winner? You’ve always excelled at everything. That’s just who you are, Summer. But it isn’t the reason your family loves you. We love you because you’re you. Jeez, as your younger brother, I love you despite the fact that you’re so perfect.”
“What do you mean?” Her forehead pleated.
“You were a prefect. Head girl. A straight A student. Everything competition you entered, you won. It would have been easy to resent you—and I won’t lie, when I was younger I used to get so frustrated. I struggled with stuff that came so easily to you.”
Declan had never given her even a hint of his feelings. Or had he? Had she been so wrapped up in her own life she’d not even noticed? “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. You just have to realize that not being perfect was not an issue for Mum and Dad. They love us both the same. Failing at something is normal. Going through it alone isn’t. We’re here for you. My admiration for you isn’t dented one bit by knowing Summer’s Kitchen has closed. I love you. I hate the fact you’ve had to go through all of this—and the end of your relationship—without anyone.” He was silent for a moment. Then, “Does Nick know all this?”
“He does now.”
Declan puffed out a breath. “Christ, did you just tell everyone for the first time?”
“Yes. Nick knew I wasn’t with Michael, but—”
“Back up.” Declan’s tone was sharp. “Nick knew you and Michael were through and he didn’t tell me?”
“I asked him not to. Nick’s been great. He’s helped me so much over the past few days, I…I have feelings for him.”
“What?” Declan swore. “What the hell do you mean, you have feelings for Nick? He’s supposed to be…Damn, I told him to take care of you. I didn’t mean for him to—”
Anger flared. “I care about Nick. I care about him a lot. I don’t need you to tell me who I can date…”
“You’re vulnerable,” Declan said flatly. “You don’t know what you’re doing. I never would have thought Nick would take advantage of you. I know he’s been crazy about you forever…”
He has?
“But he has no damn right in hitting on you when you’re just out of a relationship. No damn right.”
“My relationship with Nick is none of your business, Declan. I know he’s your best friend, and I know you’re protective of me, but I didn’t walk into this blind, and I’m not on the rebound.” She breathed in deep. “I’m in love with Nick.”
“So when were you both going to tell me this?”
“Well, I guess I wanted to tell Nick first. I’d planned to tell him tonight.”
“Mum and Dad want to know what’s going on.”
She couldn’t go through it all again. “Everyone here is eating. I have to go back to the table and explain.” It was a big ask, but she had to delegate. “Could you tell Mum and Dad? I’ll call later.”
Chapter Nineteen
Summer looked subdued when she came back. She crept across the room and sat down, a nervous smile on her face.
“I’m sorry about all that,” she said to the table in general. “I didn’t mean to unload all of my personal baggage at the table.”
“So the restaurant is closed?” Nick asked.
“Yes. It has been for a while. There’s so much competition in the restaurant business, especially in central London—I tried, but…” Her shoulders rose and fell in an eloquent shrug.
“And your relationship broke up as a result?” Ellie leaned forward. The curiosity in her eyes was mixed with concern. “I’m so sorry to hear that, dear.”
“Michael and I broke up before Summer’s Kitchen closed. I moved out months ago. He wasn’t happy that I was talking about the problems with the restaurant so much. I guess he just wanted everything to be perfect. To stay perfect.”
“But he came to see you yesterday.” Nick crossed his arms. This conversation should be taking place in private—the last thing he wanted was for his entire family to see how much he cared about Summer, but somehow he couldn’t stop talking. “Are you going back to him?”
With a gasp, she reached out to grasp his arm. “No. Never. He called and wanted to meet. I really had no inclination to listen to anything he had to say, but I knew he wouldn’t leave without seeing me. I went to his hotel yesterday.” She stared into Nick’s eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I should have. I thought he was going to beg me for a second chance, and I was ready to tell him that would never happen. That I cared for someone else.”
Nick wished that his family would talk amongst themselves rather than watch Summer with such intense focus, but it was as if everything playing out in front of them was too interesting to turn away from.
“He didn’t want me he wanted the business. Michael had a client who wanted to buy the restaurant and employ me as head chef. I guess he was keen to buy the whole package, Michelin star and all. I have absolutely no interest in doing that—Summer’s Kitchen is dead, as is my life in London. I plan to move back to Brookbridge in January.” Her hand stroked down Nick’s arm until it found his hand.
Nick gripped her hand tight.
“I was only with him for an hour, then I went shopping.”
She’s lying. The only reason he could think of was that she didn’t want to admit that she’d spent the evening with Michael. She must have slept with him. Bitter bile rose in Nick’s throat. He pulled his hand from hers. “I care about you, Summer, but I can’t be with someone who lies to me.”
“Holy God, has there been romance going on between you two?” Ellie breathed. Dermot shushed her.
“You were seen with him later in the restaurant—you didn’t deny it when I mentioned it this morning, and you didn’t come home last night until past midnight. Whatever is between you and Michael doesn’t seem to be over.” He couldn’t sit at the table any longer listening to her lies. Nick stood.
Summer jumped to her feet. “Don’t you run away from me, Nick Logan. Yes, I was in the restaurant—I decided I wanted to have lunch there alone but Elaine seated me at a table with a stranger. The head chef had a heart attack and was taken away in an ambulance. They needed me to step in and help, so I did. I cooked the rest of the lunches, and then started prepping the evening menu. I should have called you—but my phone was dead, and then I got caught up in all that had to be done. If you don’t believe me, phone Elaine, she’ll tell you.”
The fervent light in her eyes proved she was telling the truth. “So you spent yesterday cooking? I thought…”
“You thought I was with Michael?” Her eyes softened. “You thought I spent last night with Michael and yet you were still willing to hear me out—still wanted to be with me?”
“Yes.” Nick slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I thought you were with him, but the fact that you came home last night, the fact that you came here today, was more important than anything that had gone before. You’d made your choice. You chose me.”
Summer touched the side of his face. “I do choose you. I want you not just for Christmas but for always.”
He had to kiss her. It didn’t matter that his entire family was sitting around their Christmas table, mouths agape. It didn’t matter that he’d opened his heart and spilled his guts in full view of his brothers who would doubtless tease him about this moment for the rest of his life. “I love you.” He pressed his mouth against hers, to the sound of applause, laughter and catcalls.
*****
At long last, they sat alone
before the fire in the sitting room, Summer on Nick’s knee, while the rest of the family washed up in the kitchen.
“We never opened our gifts to each other.” She reached around him to the small table and grabbed them. “Here.” Now everything was out in the open, the freedom to kiss him was irresistible, so she brushed her lips against his. “Merry Christmas.”
Nick reached into the gold bag, pulled out a box and opened it. Nestling in a bed of sky blue tissue lay a crystal snow globe, with a gold loop at the top for attaching to a tree. He shot her a confused look. “A Christmas decoration?”
“Take it out.”
Nick picked it up and turned it around in his hands. The snow globe was cleverly constructed to hold a photograph. She’d cut around the picture of Nick, Summer and Fella that Val had taken and mounted it inside. Tiny, polystyrene beads formed snowy ground at their feet. Nick shook it. “It’s beautiful.”
A tiny tableau to record how they’d met, how all three of their lives had become intertwined forever.
Nick placed the crystal ornament back into its box. “Now you open yours.”
The box he’d given her was wrapped in dark green paper and tied with gold ribbon. She opened it. Inside, was a thin gold chain. A gold Claddagh pendant hung from it. Two hands holding a golden heart.
“I wanted to show you that you hold my heart in your hands.” Nick brushed her hair away from her face. “I think you always have.” He picked up the necklace and fastened it around her neck.
“I haven’t told you yet—but I love you.” The door nudged open. Fella trotted in and curled around their feet in the fire’s warmth. Summer snuggled close and whispered in Nick’s ear. “Do you think we can go home soon?”
*****
It snowed Christmas night. And for three long days after. Nick and Summer were snowbound in his apartment, and she couldn’t think of anything more perfect. But every magical interlude had to end sometime—and on the fourth day Summer woke to the sound of Nick on the phone.
“That was Sean.” He walked across the bedroom to her, gloriously naked. They’d made love for days on end, and still the sight of him had her reaching for him. “I have to go out.”
She sat up in bed.
“Ah, don’t tempt me.” His gaze travelled over her exposed body. “I want to crawl back into bed and make love with you again, but there’s a flock of sheep buried on a farm outside town. They’re digging them out now—some are dead already and the others suffering from hypothermia. I need to help Sean.” He started to pull on his clothes.
“Can I help?” She climbed out of bed and picked her clothes off the chair.
“No, we can manage.”
The doorbell rang. Fella barked. “Is he coming to pick you up?” Summer wriggled into her skinny jeans, pulled on a tee-shirt and topped it with an Aran sweater.
“No, he’s already at the farm.” Nick sat down on the bed to put on his socks and shoes.
“I’ll get it.” Summer shoved her feet into her slippers and padded downstairs. “It’s all right, Fella.” She opened the door to the sitting room and ushered the dog in. The doorbell rang again. “I’m coming!”
She pulled the door open, then stood there, surprise striking her dumb. Her mother, father, and brother on the doorstep. “What—”
Before she could get another word out, she was clasped into her mother’s arms, the recipient of a hug that would break ribs. “We couldn’t wait any longer, we had to come and see you.” Her mother’s face lit up with her smile.
“Let us in, will you, Sis?”
Summer stood back to let her family enter.
Fella let out an impressive howl. She opened the door to the sitting room to put him out. “It’s all right, Fella, these are friends.” He sniffed the visitors, tail wagging. “This is the dog we rescued,” she said.
Declan stepped close. “I’m concerned about you. You’re just out of one relationship, you shouldn’t be diving straight into another.”
“It’s not like that. Michael ended it with me four months ago, but our relationship had been failing for a long time before then. I just didn’t want to acknowledge it.” What had once seemed so impossible to explain now came easy. Her relationship had failed because Michael was the wrong person for her—she’d never really loved him, not the way she loved Nick. “I was unhappy for a long time, but not any longer.”
She looked up at a noise from the stairs. Nick.
Declan walked to his friend, spine straight, jaw tight. “You and my sister, huh?”
“You’re my best friend in the world.” Nick stared Declan in the eye. “And Summer is the woman I love. I hope you’ll be happy for us.”
Declan’s head tilted to the side, considering.
“I wish I could stay and talk, but I have to get to a medical emergency.” Nick picked up his sheepskin coat and shoved his arms into it. “I’m glad you’re here though.” His gaze was unwavering. “Because I have a question I planned to ask you in the New Year. I want your blessing, Declan. I want you to be okay with me proposing to Summer.”
“You want to…” Summer couldn’t get the words out.
“You have it.” Declan smiled and thumped his friend on the back.
Nick looked at Summer’s father, who nodded.
“You haven’t even…” Would all their most significant moments be played out in front of an audience?
“Summer.” Nick clasped her hands. “This isn’t the way I wanted to do it. I don’t even have a ring yet.” He brought her hands to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “I wanted to talk to Declan privately and then ask you…”
He was on his way out of the door—animals stranded in the cold needed him. “You have to go.” She started to button his coat.
“Will you? Will you marry me?”
No ring, no romantic dinner, no suitor on his knees, but a perfect proposal nevertheless.
She knew what she wanted; she wanted this man, forever. “I will.” She fastened the last button. “Take care out there.” She went up on tiptoe to kiss him. “And hurry back.”
THE END
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Other Books by Sally Clements
Runaway Groom (The Logan Series, Book 1)
Three Minutes to Happiness (The Logan Series, Book 2)
Under the Hood
Love for Beginners
Racing the Hunter’s Moon
Mile High
The Morning After
Catch Me a Catch
Marrying Cade
Bound to Love
Love on the Vine
Challenging Andie
Angel All Year
Blaze (A Minxes of Romance anthology)
The next Logan series book is STEALING GOLD, and here’s a peek at the first chapter!
Chapter One
The wooden stage beneath Stacy Gold’s feet shuddered.
Tiny arcs of light swept from side to side in the darkness, and the relentless chant, Stacy, Stacy, Stacy, filled her with adrenaline, making the blood fizz in her veins. There was nothing in the world like this, nothing like connecting with her fans, giving them what they wanted.
How would she live without it?
She glanced behind her to her band waiting in the wings, and snatched up her guitar. It was time to deliver the final encore.
“Stace.” Her bodyguard, Apollo stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. He leaned close enough to be heard through the noise of the crowd, who were now stomping on the ground in unison, cr
eating human thunder. “Lester says when you come off stage, just follow his lead. Ignore the camera, smile and run with it. He’ll explain later.”
“Okay.” She glanced behind her to her band, “Let’s give ’em what they want, boys.” Then she ran back to the one place in the world where she felt truly alive. On stage.
Beams of light fanned out over the audience. A roar rose in the air. She strummed the opening chord, and then the rest of the musicians joined in. She smiled wide, and began to sing.
They left the stage for the last time fifteen minutes later. Keyed on adrenaline, she hugged the members of the band she’d spent the past eight months with, wishing it didn’t have to be over.
They were all session musicians, assembled for the tour; now the tour was over she’d wouldn’t see them again for a long while.
What had Apollo said about her manager, Lester?
Something about ignoring a camera and smiling. The auditorium lights came on, and the crowd started to disperse. She started down the long backstage corridor to the dressing rooms.
Lester was at the end of the corridor with a cameraman next to him, filming her. As ordered, she ignored the camera and kept walking. When she was close, Lester twisted off the top of a bottle, and held it out to her, the way he had thousands of times before.
She took it, and drank, remembering just in time to smile, rather than pull a face, which was her instinctive reaction.
“Good, good,” said a stranger behind the cameraman. He handed her a pineapple. “Hold this and smile.”
Stacy shot a look at Lester, who was nodding like one of those dog dolls in the back of car windows. She did as he asked, and then handed it back.
Lester had a brief conversation, then took her arm and walked her away from the strangers into her dressing room.
“What the hell was that?”
“Just some…uh…local press.” Lester looked shifty. “You did great out there tonight! Wonderful show!” He avoided her eyes, and his smile seemed strained.
Snowbound Summer (The Logan Series Book 3) Page 15
