Chapter Two
Nick
A rms folded across my chest, I wait, leaning against the wall in the small hallway. My patience is wearing thin and I am this close to barging into the Ladies’ Room when the woman who followed Aurora inside steps out, with Aurora right behind her.
I push myself up and block her escape. Up close, her porcelain skin looks pale and those blue eyes seem a little too large in her face. But she is still gorgeous. She’s grown up, filled out in all the best ways, and looking at her knocks me on my ass.
“Nick.”
My name, coming from those glossed lips, does something to me. “So, you remember me.”
She swallows hard and glances at her friend. “I’m okay, Chloe. You can go find Beck. I’ll look for you after Nick and I talk.”
Chloe, an attractive blonde—though not as pretty as Aurora, at least in Nick’s eyes—gives him a long, assessing look. “Okay. But you know your brothers are all here if you need them,” she says, her gaze never leaving mine. Clearly that comment is for my benefit. A warning, not to hurt Aurora.
Wait a minute. Brothers? Aurora told me she was an only child.
Chloe strides off, leaving us alone.
“So…this is a shock.” Her hands twist around her small purse, showing her nervousness.
“I came back to the diner to see you.” I believe in getting right to the point.
After she left my room all those years ago, I tried to convince myself that what we shared was nothing more than one special night.
But I couldn’t let her go. I was drawn to her in a way I couldn’t explain.
So, I showed up at the diner where we met a couple of hours later, only to have another server inform me that it was her day off.
I left with a weight in my gut, knowing I was getting on a plane at six a.m. the next morning, and it was likely I would never see her again.
“I know,” she says softly. “I thought it was best if we didn’t get any further involved.” She glances away, obviously finding it hard to meet my gaze.
As realization dawns, my gut begins to churn. “You were there and didn’t want to see me.”
She tips her head, acknowledging the truth. “It was only supposed to be one night, and my life was more complicated than I let on.”
I groan, understanding her reasoning even if I hate the truth. “Then tell me now.” I want to understand what cost us all these years.
She draws a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “We do need to talk, Nick, but the movie is going to start soon, and I can’t miss it. A lot of my family members are involved in the production.”
“So is my brother,” I say. “Which brings me to another question. You told me you had no family.” Did she lie and if so, why ? And did she lie about anything else?
“I didn’t. At least, not until Linc Kingston came to find me. Look, it’s a very long story and I will tell you. Just not now.”
Patience isn’t my strong suit, but I have to agree with her, especially once the lights begin flashing, indicating we are to head into the theater.
I reach into my pocket and pull out my cell. “Give me your number,” I say, handing it to her. No way will I rely on her calling me.
She accepts the phone and inputs her number.
I take it back and immediately hit send, causing a ring to sound from her purse.
“You don’t trust me?” she asks, her eyes open wide.
I can’t control the smirk that crosses my lips. “Just not taking any chances of losing you again.” I wink at her and walk off, leaving her to think about the possibilities of our reunion.
I’ll be doing the same. No way will I be able to pay attention to whatever is happening on the big screen in front of me. Even if my brother’s ugly mug is front and center.
***
Aurora
I walk into the theater and stride toward the front row, where my family is seated. But instead of everyone settling in to watch the movie, the Kingstons are in a group, talking excitedly.
“Chloe? What’s going on?” I ask, joining them.
“Cassidy’s water broke! She went into labor and Dash rushed her to the hospital.” Her eyes are dancing with excitement.
“What is everyone going to do? How can they choose whether to stay or go to the hospital?” I ask.
“Nobody’s leaving this theater,” Linc says, obviously having heard my question. “I promised Dash we’d stay for Sasha. And Cassidy produced the movie. We owe it to her to watch. Besides, she’ll be in labor for a while. We can go to the hospital afterwards.”
“The King has spoken,” I say, laughing. Linc is the nominal head of the family and we all recognize it. Once Kenneth Kingston was gone—and from what I understand, even before—everyone deferred to Linc. And I do, too. I owe him, I love him, and I appreciate his wisdom.
He shakes his head at me and chuckles before turning back to Jordan.
“Are you okay?” Chloe asks me quietly.
I nod. “But I would like to talk.”
“You got it. I’m going to the hospital after the movie ends. I assume you need to get home for the babysitter?” Chloe asks. Unlike me, Chloe and Beck have a live-in nanny, so if they need to stay out later, they can.
“Yes. But I’ll go see Cass, Dash and the baby tomorrow.”
Despite the upheaval of seeing Nick and the anticipation of the new baby, I manage to enjoy the movie.
I am so proud of my family members’ accomplishment, and tell them.
They depart immediately after the film, even Sasha, the star, rushing to the hospital.
Family first is the Kingston motto, and it settled in my heart the moment I learned I was a part of this wonderful group of people.
Still, I can’t wait to get home, wanting nothing more than to see my little girl’s face and listen to her soft breaths as she sleeps.
At least I bought myself some time to think before I have to deal with Nick.
He’ll call me when he’s ready to talk, and we can set a time to meet.
And before then, I’ll be able to get Chloe’s advice.
Once I walk into the house, I pay Samantha, then watch her get into her car safely and pull out of the driveway.
Blowing out a breath, I lock the door, set the alarm, and walk upstairs.
I peeked into Leah’s room and see my little girl’s body asleep in her bed.
Without letting myself overthink or panic—yet—I go to my own room to undress, wash up, and put on a comfortable t-shirt.
Needing to be close to my daughter, I walk back to Leah’s room, then place my phone on the nightstand and slide into the double bed beside my daughter.
The scent of Leah’s familiar shampoo gives me a sense of security I desperately need tonight.
Seeing Nick brings forth a host of emotions I’m not sure how to handle—everything from remembering the wonder of our night together, to fearing what the disruption of having a father in Leah’s life will mean, to panic about custody issues and who knows what else.
I wrap an arm around my daughter and eventually drift to sleep.
A short time later—I’m not sure just how long—the jarring sound of my phone ringing rouses me, and I grab it before Leah awakes. Not that I have to worry. My daughter can sleep through a hurricane.
I slide out of bed, answering as I walk into the hall. “ Hello?”
“It’s a boy!” Chloe exclaims. “Ask me his name.”
I laugh. “What’s his name?”
“Freddie Kingston. They named him after Freddie Mercury.”
Rolling my eyes, I smile. “Of course our brother, the rock star, named his kid after his idol. How’s Cass?”
“Doing well. I think they’ll send her home late tomorrow. So if you can’t make it to the hospital, you can visit once they’re settled,” Chloe says.
“I’ll call in the morning and see what they’d prefer. Thanks for letting me know. And if you’re still there, send my love.” I will text both Dash and Cassidy after we hang up. I’ll spare them the phone call tonight, knowing how exhausted Cass must be.
“Will do. Are you okay?” Chloe asks, obviously referring to me having seen Nick tonight.
I sigh. “I am. Don’t worry. We’ll talk tomorrow,” I assure my sister, not wanting to worry her.
“Okay. Love you. Night.” Chloe disconnects the call.
I push thoughts of Nick aside, text the new parents and walk back into the room to catch some more sleep. Tomorrow will come soon enough and with it, Nick Dare.
** *
Nick
I attend the after-party for the film and am surprised to find none of the Kingstons there, until Harrison tells me Cassidy Kingston went into labor. That explains why they all disappeared, Aurora included.
“Hey, man. What’s going on? You’ve seemed off all night,” Harrison says, ever the observant actor.
Despite his fame, Harrison is as down-to-earth as they come. He has to be, in order to survive in our big family where everyone is treated equally and open to the same amount of ribbing, no matter their occupation or status. Looking out for one another always comes first.
I take a sip of tequila, having given in to the need for a drink. No, I wasn’t imbibing in the family vodka. I want something harsher.
“Do you remember when I went to visit a friend in Miami Beach after my sophomore year of college?” I ask my sibling.
My brother leans against the high-top table, a puzzled look on his face. “Vaguely.”
“I met a girl there.” Then I go on to explain my night with Aurora, our ‘no last name’ agreement, me falling for her and going back the next morning, only to have to leave the state before catching up with her again.
“I never thought I’d see her again but she was here tonight. And you won’t believe who she is.”
Harrison raises his brows. “You gonna tell me?”
“Aurora Kingston.”
He blinks, his surprise etched all over his face. “You’re kidding?”
“No.” I wouldn’t make up such a close connection to our family.
“Did you talk to her tonight?”
I groan. “I tried. She panicked and ran, but we managed to have a brief talk. I got her phone number, so I won’t lose her again.”