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Nicole’s anger and bitterness before.
    Nicole had been hurt when Claire had gone away, but until now, he’d never known the wounds went so deep. Sarcasm and black humor concealed a lot of pain. It was just like her to play the bitter bitch to protect herself.
    â€œI can come over in the evenings,” he said. “After work.”
    She slumped down in the seat, then pressed her arm into her midsection and groaned. “I don’t want that. You have to take care of Amy. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œNo, you won’t.”
    â€œI don’t want to think about it. Not right now.”
    None of this was supposed to be a problem, he reminded himself. When the surgery had been scheduled, Drew, Nicole’s husband, had still been in the picture.
    Wyatt thought of his stepbrother and instantly wanted to pound him into the ground. What a total idiot. Talk about screwing up big-time. Drew had crossed the line and Nicole was never going to forgive him. Wyatt wasn’t sure he would be able to forgive his brother either.
    He glanced in his rearview mirror and saw Claire in the car behind them. Even from a couple of car lengths away, he could see her death grip on the steering wheel and the determination in her face.
    â€œYou should move in with me and Amy,” he said. “That’s the easiest solution.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou’re being stubborn.”
    â€œIt’s part of my charm.”
    Under normal circumstances, Jesse could have pitched in, but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. “If you don’t want me, you’ll have to have someone,” he said. “At least for the first couple of days. Claire can keep food in the house, bring it to you.”
    â€œHa. You think the piano princess can cook?”
    â€œShe can order takeout.”
    â€œI can do that.”
    â€œAnd check on you.”
    â€œDid I mention a trained monkey? It would be a lot more helpful. Or one of those service dogs.”
    â€œShe’s your sister.”
    Nicole glared at him again. “She was the start of my bad luck streak.”
    â€œYou’re overreacting. Use her. There should be some pleasure in that.”
    â€œLess than you would think.”
    They arrived at the house. After parking, Wyatt came around to the passenger side and opened the door.
    Nicole looked at him. “Don’t even think about carrying me. I can walk.”
    â€œWhen was the last time you let a man sweep you off your feet?”
    â€œI would never do that.”
    â€œYou need to work on your trust issues.”
    With that, he gathered her in his arms. Claire had already opened the back door. She followed them inside.
    He went up the stairs and into Nicole’s bedroom. Someone, probably Claire, had pulled back the covers. When he set Nicole in the bed, she sucked in a breath, then forced a smile.
    â€œThank you.”
    She’d gone pale. He knew she had to be hurting. “When can you take something for the pain?”
    â€œNot for a while. I got a shot in the hospital. I’ll be fine.”
    She didn’t look fine.
    He pulled off her athletic shoes, then unzipped her sweatshirt. She eased out of it and he tossed it on a chair.
    She wasn’t wearing a bra. He could see her breasts moving under her thin T-shirt and wished the curves tempted him. Falling for Nicole would solve a lot of problems. Unfortunately, he felt nothing.
    He pulled the covers over her, then sat on the edge of the bed.
    â€œIt’s just for a few days,” he told her. “I’m happy to hang out here in the evenings and you know Amy loves you but you’ll need help during the day.”
    She closed her eyes.
    â€œIt won’t be so bad,” he said.
    â€œI hate you.”
    â€œIs that a yes?”
    She sighed. “Yes.”
    He stood. Claire hovered in the doorway. He went past her then waited until she’d trailed after him into the hallway and