Read Online Winter's Thaw by Stacey Lynn Rhodes - Free Book Online

couldn’t resist reaching around behind him to give her an awkward sort of reverse hug in return.
    “I’m sorry I’m running so hot and cold right now,” she murmured.
    He tried to get a sense of her mood, but it was difficult without seeing her expressive face. As much as he was enjoying her platonic embrace, he wanted to see her eyes. He eased himself out of her slightly resisting arms then immediately turned and pulled her into a true, hard hug before setting her away from him, keeping his hands clasping her upper arms.
    “I would be surprised if you were taking all of this in stride. I just want you to be okay, and not to beat yourself up over what’s happening between us.” He used present tense on purpose, because as far as he was concerned, he didn’t want to walk away from her. Sometime during the night, his mind had been made up. She might need some time and distance, but he wasn’t giving up on her completely. He could be the friend she needed now and hope for more later.
    By her thoughtful, wary expression she hadn’t missed his choice of words. “Nick,” she began, “I’m so not ready—”
    “I know,” he interrupted, not wanting her to build up a head of steam and decide to cut things off completely. “I completely understand. You may think I’m young, but I’m not some kid who needs immediate gratification, Maggie. I want to be your friend. Maybe sometime down the road we can look at things differently, but no pressure, okay? Let’s just see what happens. You need to focus on yourself and your daughter right now—I get that.”
    Maggie gave him a wry smile he hadn’t been expecting. “Sounds like you’re cutting off every one of my arguments at the knees.” She shifted a bit and he glanced down at her bare feet again, which had to be getting cold with her standing on the tile.
    “You must be chilled. You should have put on the slippers I saw by your bed. Come on.” He took her hand and pulled her over into the carpeted living room. He sat on the couch then tugged her down next to him. She immediately tucked her legs to the side, covering her feet with the hem of her robe.
    “You’re right. I hadn’t noticed how cold I was getting until just then.” Maggie sighed and glanced at him. “You’re very observant.”
    “A bit, yes.” Nick knew he needed to come clean about checking into Wade’s death. “And sometimes when I don’t know something I do research. I made a call last night—just wanted to check the details on the accident. I hope you’re not upset.”
    Maggie frowned slightly then shrugged as her expression cleared. “No, not really. I pretty much told you everything I know.”
    Nick forged ahead, wanting to get everything out in the open. “I learned that you’re actually Wade’s ex-wife.”
    Her lips parted then a slight blush crept up her neck. She cleared her throat. “Well, about that…” She paused and he waited patiently. “I guess I did give you the impression that our marriage was current, but it wasn’t my conscious intention to mislead you at first. It honestly still just slips out in the present tense sometimes, and takes more explanation than I want to get into to set the facts straight. Especially with people I don’t know.” She seemed fascinated by the end of her belt, toying with it and keeping her gaze downward. “Plus, I kind of felt like I needed the boundary between us. So I didn’t clarify. But Wade and I—we were together since before we knew what sex was. And we’re still friends, plus he still stays here at the house to be with Cass sometimes.” Maggie pressed her lips together. “I mean stayed.” She swallowed hard. “It was hard enough to think of him in the past tense when we were divorced, and now…”
    Nick hugged her tightly to him. “I understand.” After a few moments where she willingly rested in his embrace, he eased her upright then stood. “I’m sorry. I really have to get going to work. Can I call you