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Sam arrived at Rocco and Nichole’s place at around five-thirty He had a few questions he wanted to ask Nichole before this teacher friend of hers arrived Besides, he’d volunteer to hold the baby while she put the finishing touches on dinner Knowing Nichole, she’d be fussing over every detail

He sincerely hoped she wasn’t putting any stock into so between him and this teacher friend of hers From the little bit he knew about … what in the world was her na like that For the life of him, he couldn’t remeoing to work He had no intentions of getting involved in a relationship

Owen had the front door open by the time Sam had cli, kid?"

"Good" Owen held the screen door for him

Saht away aelse, he was getting a home-cooked meal out of the deal Otherwise, it was destined to be a complete waste of his tireeted him as she came out of the kitchen dressed in a pretty pink blouse and black slacks She looked good The baby fat had disappeared or was cleverly disguised He didn’t knohich She kissed his cheek and held on to his forearratitude "Thank you"

"Don’t thankfriends set e disappointment on both sides

"I know, I know Rocco wasn’t happy about it, either, but I swear you’re going to like Beth"

Beth, that was it

"Owen said she’s into classical music"

"She loves all kinds of music"

He rolled his eyes

Nichole slapped his upper ar to have a lovely evening"

Sa so would only irritate Nichole He liked his friend’s wife He wasn’t sure about the two of theh, before she’d ed to worm her way into his heart, not that he was in love with her or anything She’d won hies in his friend were huge after Nichole came into his life

There was a ti into scrapes with the law He’d been free and easy omen, too, which was how Kaylene had cohteen now and a high school senior Everything changed for Rocco when he got custody of his daughter That hen he settled down and became a responsible citizen Eventually he took over ownership of Potter Towing It was through the towing company that he’d met Nichole, when he pulled her out of a ditch

It didn’t take Saly Rocco felt about Nichole She had him hook, line, and sinker almost from the first day they met It surprised Sam that a classy woman like Nichole would marry Rocco Far as he could see, they were still head over heels about each other Sa Rocco wouldn’t do for his wife She brought Owen into the e and now they had Matthew, and from what Rocco said, in a year or two Nichole wanted to have another baby Good for the an adopted uncle He’d always loved kids

"You ready to meet Beth?" Owen asked

"I’ chair with Matthew," Sa that the infant was asleep in the fancy baby contraption set up in the living rooot hih dinner"

Sam was disappointed, but there’d be plenty of opportunity later "Need any help?"

"You can helpout of the kitchen with a bottle of chardonnay in his hand

"I’d rather have beer"

"We’re having wine tonight," Nichole informed him

"I can’t have a beer?" He didn’t bother to hide his disappointed to hide a smile and winked back at his friend