Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 28

28 Amends (Part 2)

Nick POV

Dread bubbles up inside me. Not because I don’t believe her father is actually sorry, but because I fear hearing he could change might make Clarice rethink her own relationship. I mean that a**hole did cheat on her with her best friend, but it was only with her, unlike her father, who was a repeat offender by the sounds of things. She is also pregnant with his child. What if seeing her father being the man that her mother deserves makes her believe her own marriage can be salvaged? “Nick, are you alright,” she asks, her voice laced with concern.

“I’m fine,” I say, trying to reassure her. “Don’t lie to me, Nick.” I swear her mother giggles, but I focus

on the woman that owns my heart. “Clarice, this isn’t about me. I’m here for you.” She turns to her parents. “Can you excuse us for one minute? I need to talk to Nick,” she says. Her parents nod, and she grips my hand, leading me out of the room. “Tell me what the hell is going on in your head, Nick. I’m glad my father said it wasn’t an excuse, but I at least understand why it happened. Do you

think he is lying? Is that why you look so pissed,” she asks.

“No, I can feel he is telling the truth.” “Then what’s wrong? I don’t want you to hide things from me, Nick,‘ she says. “I’m scared, Clarice.” She looks shocked by my words. “I’m scared that you’ll see your father can change and think about all the history you have with Trevor. Think about the possibility that he could be the man that you loved.” She startles me when a hand clamps over my mouth. I look into her eyes and now she looks pissed.

“I love you, Nick, but you’re an id**t for even letting that thought enter your head. I believe my father is really sorry and that he did the work to be the man my mother deserves, but I am not my mother. I am glad I can understand why he was a philandering a**hole, but it doesn’t change that what he did to my mother was all kind of wrong. I’m glad that he isn’t that man anymore and my parents seem happy, but I won’t ever forgive Trevor,” she says.

“He grew up in a house where his father was the type of man that treated his mother like a queen. I have never, in all the time I was married, seen my father–in–law even look in another woman’s direction. He can’t use how he grew up as an excuse. He also knew how I felt about cheating because of my own experiences. He knew that I would never forgive him, and yet he screwed my best friend without a second thought. Not even a stranger who would have been horrible enough, but the woman I considered a sister,” she says.

I go to open my mouth, but she raises her hand to stop me. “If all of that was not bad enough, he actually tried to make me believe that his cheating wasn’t cheating because they wanted to share me in a poly relationship,” she says, shuddering in disgust. “So to recap, there isn’t enough I’m sorry’s, excuses, or therapy for me to ever forgive him for what he’s done. Besides that, I’m in love

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28 Amends (Part 2)

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with you. You are my future, Nick. He is my past,” she says. Warmth spreads across my chest and I lift her into my arms.

She wraps her legs around my waist and I slam my lips down on hers. I pour everything I feel for her into the kiss. God, I love this woman. When she breaks the kiss, her smile is huge. “Silly man,” she says and pecks my lips. I set her on her feet, and she takes my hand, leading me back into the room. We retake our seats and Evie has a knowing smile on her face. “Clarice, I don’t expect you to forgive me today, but I hope in time you’ll see that I’m not the same man that hurt you and your mother. I’ll wait as long as it takes,” Andrew says,

“I’d like that, dad, but I can’t promise you I won’t have moments where memories will bring back the anger,” she says, and I squeeze her hand. “The fact that you are willing to give me a chance to be your dad again is enough. I love you Clarice. I don’t expect you to say it back, but I need you to know that it has never changed,” he says. Clarice nods, but I can see the tears edging the corner of her eyes. “Clarice, honey, I know you think that you owe me an apology, but I owe you one,” her

mother says.

“I should have been stronger. I should have listened when you told me what your father was doing. I buried my head in the sand because it hurt too much to admit that I loved your father more than I loved myself, and it cost me my daughter. I’m proud of you for being strong. I hate that I was weak,” she says. “You weren’t weak mom. It isn’t weak to trust someone with your heart. You took vows and, whatever dad’s reason, he broke them. I’m sorry I ever made you feel like you were weak. I’m sorry that I abandoned you when you needed me most, Clarice says, before bursting

into tears.

I move to pull her onto my lap not caring that her parents are in the room when I see her mother stand. She rounds the table and pulls Clarice into a hug. I hate to see my girl cry, but I know she needs this right now. “It’s alright sweetheart. We both made mistakes, but you’re here and that’s what matters,” Evie says, holding Clarice tight. My eyes find Andrew, who is also crying as he watches his wife and daughter embrace. I can’t imagine the guilt he must still carry.

After a few minutes, Clarice quiets and her mother presses a kiss on her forehead. “I love you,

and Claribelle,” she says, and I smile. Despite how angry she was, she used what her parents people close to her called her as her pen name. When Evie steps back, I expect Clarice to take her seat next to me, but instead she moves to stand near Andrew. I fight the chuckle when he practically jumps out of his chair. She wraps her arms around his middle, and he engulfs her in his arms. I’m shocked by the sob that rips through him as he holds his daughter for the first time in over a decade.

A knock on the door startles me. I jump up to grab the tray, assuming it’s dinner, but instead I find Colleen on the other side of the door. “What’s wrong,” I ask, knowing she wouldn’t be here unless

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28 Amends (Part 2)

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there was a good reason. I’m sorry to bother you, but Mr. Brooker is here with Elaine, and he insists on talking to you” she says. “I don’t really care what he insists on. I’m spending time with my family. He can try to make an appointment, but honestly I’m done with him and his daughter.” “I told him you were busy, but he said he isn’t leaving until you talk to him, Nick, and he is being

quite loud in the lobby,” she says.

I’ve never had a problem with Raymond Brooker besides his handsy daughter, but right now he is on my sh*t list. I turn and smile when I see Andrew is still hugging Clarice. Instead of interrupting, I step out of the room intending to deal with Raymond quickly. I grit my teeth when I can hear Ray talking sh*t about Clarice before I even step foot into the lobby. When he notices me, his voice lowers. I stalk toward him, trying to keep my temper in check. My father will have my a** if he has to erase my

e my name off the naughty list this year, not that he gives me presents.

“Nick, gla

you could make time to see me.” “Cut the sh*t Raymond. You didn’t leave me much choice since you’re making a scene. What can I do for you?” “I’ve given you a few days to cool off, but I expect you to honor our contract,” he says. I throw my head back and laugh. “I believe that my sister was very clear that we would no longer be using your bakery after your daughter insulted my girl.”

“I’m sure that we can both agree that Clarice Martin isn’t really your girl Nick. Hell from what I hear, she is still married but got cheated on. I guess she is just like her mother. She surely isn’t worth breaking a very profitable partnership over,” he says. I’m just about to tell him where he can stick his partnership when a fist flies past me and connects with Ray’s jaw, knocking him on his a**. Elaine screams and Evie yells her husband’s name as he shakes out his hand.

“How f**king dare you hit me Drew. You assaulted me,” Ray blusters from his position on the floor. “Don’t you ever talk about my daughter or my wife you piece of sh*t,” Andrew says. Elaine reaches down to help him up as he starts to talk about calling the sheriff. I smile as he finally gets to his feet. “Call the sheriff, for what? I didn’t see anything. Colleen, did you see anything?” “Not a thing. boss,” she says while flipping Elaine off. I’laugh as Lacey steps out of the kitchen where she must have been watching.

“Lacey, did you see anything?” “Just the old ba**ard trip and fall on his face,” she says. “You can’t do this. He hit my father,” Elaine says, practically stomping her foot. “We can and we will. Now get your a**es out of my Inn and don’t come back. Oh, and by the way, Clarice is worth everything, Including breaking your f**king contract.” A hand on my shoulder has me turning toward Andrew. “Now that the excitement is over, should we go finish our dinner? It smells delicious, and I would really like to spend time with you and my daughter,” he says. “I think we should.”

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