Page 35 of Protection for Nichole

She shrugged. “My editor hasn’t found anything that has me excited. I may just have to take something small and write about it. I’ll talk to her when I head to Chicago.”

Worry crossed his features. “Have you come up with a date you’ll go to Chicago?”

“Next Tuesday. That would give me time to chat with my editor and make it back before the weekend so I can spend time with you.”

He rested his forehead against hers. Being with Jesse felt right. Not only did they get along, but they also meshed well. So far, he hadn’t felt anger with her leaving. This would be the second trip out of town since she’d come out here, and it hadn’t been that long that she’d been living with him. Hopefully, hecould deal with her trips and her job. Few men could, but she felt that Jesse was the right type of guy for her to date.

Chapter 31

Jay sawApple’s shoulders stiffen when they arrived. The guy still had issues with Nichole, and Jay was getting tired of it. He wanted to tell Apple to cut the shit and be a decent person. Calling Apple out and causing problems wouldn’t solve anything.

Maybe the man just needed to spend more time with Nichole and learn that she wasn’t a bad person. Apple’s situation was different. Hopefully, today would show Apple that Nichole was a good person and nothing like his ex.

Danika waved then moved to Nichole, giving her a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

“Same. How are you doing?”

“Classes are kicking my butt.”

“I forgot, what are you studying?”

“To be a physical therapy assistant. One day, I might go for physical therapist, but that takes a lot more school, and right now, math is driving me crazy.”

Nichole chuckled. “Math wasn’t my strongest subject.”

Danika took Nichole’s hand and tugged her away from the guys. “Come. I think the umbrella I have set up is large enough for both of us to sit under.”

“That sounds great.”

Jay was happy Nichole and Danika got along so well. It didn’t totally make up for Apple being a jerk, but having Danika treat her nicely would hopefully help Apple get with the program.

They played two games and were taking a break when someone recognized Nichole. The hair on the back of Jay’s neck went up as the woman approached. It wasn’t necessarily the woman, but the man with her that set Jay off.

Griz nudged his shoulder, and he nodded, anger and fear whipping up inside as he tried to come up with a way to not come across as a jerk.

“Oh my God, you’re like my hero,” the woman was saying as Jay approached.

Nichole smiled, not her brightest smile, nor the sexy one. This smile was different from what he usually saw from Nichole. It felt fake. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say that.”

“Are you doing a story here? Are you covering something in San Diego?”

“No. I’m on vacation. I’m headed home in a few days. Just relaxing.”

“So, are these your friends?” The woman glanced around, taking them all in.

They had longer hair, beards, or scruff. Only Griz had a Navy tattoo on his back, and most people didn’t really see it because there were other tattoos surrounding it.

He worried what Nichole would say, but he didn’t need to worry. “Not really. They’re my friend’s brothers and cousins. They’re here on vacation, too. Going home tomorrow.”

“Could I get a photo with you?”

“Oh, sorry. I look like crap and don’t have any makeup on. I’m sorry. I just don’t look good right now.”

The woman nodded. “Oh, yeah, I don’t have any on either. It was great meeting you.”

“Thank you.”

The woman and her boyfriend took off without Jay intervening. “You okay?”

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