Page 92 of The Drummer's Heart

Atticus hugged him close. “That’s Nicole. You guys share Daddy’s heart.”

CHAPTER 32

ATTICUS

It was finally the last day of recording the new album, and since returning from New York, it had felt damn near impossible to reach this finish line.

Those couple of days away had been much needed, but it wasn’t enough. My time in New York had reminded me that the two people I cared most about in this world were too far from me. As long as I continued with this career, there was no easy way to put them first.

I returned to my empty house after a long day of work and imagined how much fuller my life would be if Christian had come running toward me when I got home. How amazing would it be to hear his little laugh echo through this big house? And what a dream to have Nicole to come home to, sleeping next to her every night.

I took a shower and was about to make myself something to eat when my phone rang. I recognized the number as security for my private, gated community. They called me to vet anyone trying to enter the grounds.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mr. Marchetti. It’s Chuck at the booth. We have a woman here who claims you know her, but we don’t have record of any preapproval.”

If I had a nickel for every time some random woman found out where I lived and tried to get in by pretending to know me.I’d had to move more than once due to lack of security at my previous residences.

“Yeah, I’m not expecting anyone,” I told him.

“So sorry, sir. She claims to have the same last name as you. So that was a little suspicious.”

I froze. “What are you talking about?”

“She says her name is Nicole Marchetti.”

Nicole?“Can you put her on the phone, please?”

“Of course.”

The sound of her voice followed a few seconds later. “Hey.”

Oh my God.

“It’s really you…”

“So much for surprises. Not sure how I didn’t know I’d have to get through security.”

My heart practically leaped out of my chest. “Put him back on the phone.”

The guard returned to the line. “Yes, sir?”

“That’s my wife. Let her through, please.”

“Your…wife, sir?”

“Yes.”

“Uh. Okay. Will do.”

I’d have to explain the situation to Chuck later. I bolted for the door and waited.

Nicole parked in my circular driveway, and when she emerged from the car, I felt alive for the first time since I’d come back from New York.

“Oh my God. This is the best freaking surprise.” I took her into my arms and squeezed her tightly. “You have no idea how badly I was missing you tonight. I came home from recording to this empty house, so depressed.” I wrapped my hands around her face. “But why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and I wanted to surprise you. Although I botched that.”

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