This time she started them walking. “So, my father may have been at my school program, but he had one ear to his phone. He didn’t miss many of my soccer games, but he was always working. He was there in body only.” She sighed, deciding to elaborate. “Their marriage was failing. They were working so much they were like strangers to each other. They didn’t really fight. They weren’t together enough for that. But it was bickering and callous remarks to each other and putting each other down. I was a senior in high school, and I thought that as soon as I was out of the house, they’d divorce. I was prepared for it. Actually, I was prepared for them to do it sooner than that.” She turned to Nic and met her gaze. “So, not all roses and sunshine. Different than what you went through, certainly, but still, not all roses.”

“What happened?”

“They still loved each other, I guess. And they knew that their jobs, their careers, were tearing them apart. So they quit. Made a pact that they were out of the real estate business for good. Moved up here and learned how to live together again.” She kicked at the snow. “Or so I thought. It looks like he’s fallen back into old habits.” She held her hand up. “Regardless, please don’t think you’re not good enough for this family. Holly was being a bitch and that’s just her.”

Nic turned to look at her, meeting her gaze as if trying to read her eyes. Maybe to see if she was being sincere or not. But she said nothing as she turned away. Abby felt a tiny tug on her heart at the look in Nic’s eyes. Lonely? Yes. She’d been surprised that Nic had confessed to that, but she could see it in her eyes. She was normally so sure of herself. Confident, with enough swagger for her to have called Nic arrogant. But now? No, that swagger was missing, wasn’t it? Surprisingly, she missed it.

Chapter Twenty-one

Abby paused at the front door, turning to look at her. “Holly will most likely be in the kitchen. She’s like a four or five cup coffee drinker, so…”

“If you’re worried that I’ll blow our cover, don’t be. I’ll smile at you adoringly the whole time.”

“We can head to town after breakfast.”

“Trying to escape already?”

“Yeah.” She opened the door. “Please don’t let her talk down to you today, Nic.”

Yes, she needed to snap out of her funk, didn’t she? Maybe she should have told Abby the whole story. Maybe she should have gotten it all out at once. Over and done with. But really, was it any of Abby’s concern? Was there any reason to tell her all of that?

“Nic?”

Nic met her gaze, finally nodding. “I’m good.”