Page 114 of Broken

“I just want to see a smile on your face, corazón. Tell me what I can do to make that happen.”

She presses her lips together like she’s deep in thought. “Food is always a good start. But takeout would be more my speed, I think.”

“Takeout will make you smile?”

“Not just any takeout. A pepperoni pizza from Jersey’s, and also…” She sinks her teeth into her plush lower lip.

“Also?”

“An old movie on the sofa? With you actually watching rather than working?” She winces like she’s asking too much, when it’s not nearly enough. An image of us curled up on the couch with her nestled against me, both of us snuggled beneath a blanket, makes my cock twitch in my pants. “That’s what you want to do tonight?”

She catches her bottom lip between her teeth. “More than anything.”

Why the hell is that true for me too? Cuddling on the couch and eating greasy pizza isn’t exactly me, but the thought of doing that with her sounds like heaven. “I have to send a few emails and take a shower. Can you order?”

Her eyes sparkle, and an actual smile flickers over her full pink lips. “And I get to choose the movie?”

I roll my eyes, feigning mild annoyance, but the truth is I’ll do anything as long as it involves being close to her. “If you insist.”

My pulse is racingas I dry off from the shower. We’re staying in and eating pizza on the couch, so why do I feel like I’m fifteen and about to go on my first date with Cindy Green? She was the head cheerleader in high school, and it took me months to work up the courage to ask her out. She said yes before I even finished the question, and I’ve never felt that nervous around a woman since. Until now.

I walk down the hallway toward the sound of her voice. Is she only just ordering the food? No, I can smell pizza. A familiar voice joins hers, and my heart drops through my stomach.

What the fuck is Tyler doing back in New York already?

I make my way into the kitchen and see the two of them hugging. They part when I walk into the room, and Mel looks at me, tears glistening in her eyes. “Tyler came home early.”

He spins on his heel. “Yeah. Thanks for looking after my girl while I was away. I can take care of her now.”

I lick my lips and stare at the two of them.She’smyfucking girl.At least I thought she was, but she’s so goddamn happy to see him. Maybe he is the right person to take care of her. She married me out of guilt over her family and nothing more. She’s already told me she wants to walk away from everything to do with them, and I can’t help but think that includes me too.

“He brought up the pizza.” Melanie nods to the box on the table.

“Great. You two should take it with you,” I say, having to force the words out of my mouth.

Her face falls, and I want to kick myself in the ass for saying it, then kick Tyler out of my apartment, but my stupid pride won’t let me.

“I guess I should go get my things then,” she says quietly.

I don’t answer her. Instead I glare at Tyler, the man responsible for ruining my fucking night, and quite possibly my whole fucking life.

Mel slips out of the room, and Tyler plants his hands on the kitchen counter, his lips pressed together in a thin line and his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“You know I always respected you. Always thought you were this super smart guy who didn’t give a fuck what other people thought of you, but I…” He shakes his head. “Now, I guess I know better.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

He licks his lips and glances at the open doorway before turning all his attention back to me. “She’s the best damn thing that’s ever happened to you, Nathan. And I think you know that too.”

My hands ball into fists. “Don’t assume to know what I’m thinking, Tyler.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare.” He barks a sarcastic laugh and sits at the island, then takes off his baseball cap and runs a hand through his hair. “You know, she always loved animals. Begged her daddy for a dog every single Christmas and birthday from the day she could talk. And when she turned thirteen, a few months before he was killed, he finally gave in.”

Why the hell is he telling me this right now?

“But Mel didn’t want no new puppy. Nope, she made him take her to the pound. And when we got there, she chose the oldest, ugliest mutt you’ve ever seen in your life. I mean this thing had a gray muzzle and one eye, but she insisted he was her dog. Now Mel’s mom might be a stone-cold bitch, but Luke adored his kids. He didn’t want his little girl getting attached to a dog that only had a little bit of life left in him. When he sat her down and explained that this dog likely only had a few years left at best, you know what she said?”

I suppress a sigh. “No.”

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