Page 125 of Nails

“Is it that obvious?”Nails asked, grinning.

Clover laughed.“Just a little.You really love her, huh?”

He didn’t even hesitate.“Yeah.More than I thought I ever could.”He shook his head as his smile grew bigger.“I never thought I’d find someone who fits me like she does.She’s okay with my past and my little quirks, not to mention my job.”He paused, his voice lowering slightly.“She means everything to me.”

Clover smirked.“I can see that.I like her already, and I haven’t even met her face-to-face yet.She’s lucky to have you.”

“No.I’m the lucky one,” Nails said as he turned back toward the water and looked out toward the horizon.“I never thought I could have someone I want to build something real with.A future.”

Clover grinned as her eyes moved toward the door.“I believe that your future just arrived.”

Nails didn’t have to turn around to know what she meant.His pulse quickened, and his heart skipped a beat.He turned slowly, as if time had slowed, and there she was.She wasn’t dressed up, just a pair of jeans and a black short-sleeved shirt.But damn, was she the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

But it wasn’t the clothes that caught his attention.It was her hair.That ridiculous blonde dye was gone.Her rich, chocolate brown waves were back, just as he remembered them.

Clover nudged him.“Go get her, big guy.”

Clover hadn’t even finished her sentence, and Nails was already striding towards Riley.

The sun was just beginning to set as Riley pulled onto the side road heading toward the water.Her heart thudded with anticipation and nerves.It wasn’t because she was nervous about seeing him, but from the weight of the news she carried.

Her palms were slightly damp on the steering wheel as she turned into the gravel parking lot at Bayside.Once she found a parking spot, she turned the car off and texted Clover.

Riley:I just pulled in.

Clover:We’re on the back patio.

Riley smiled.She couldn’t wait to meet Clover in person.Through Joker, Clover had helped Riley pull off surprising Nails.

Riley stepped out of her rental car, the soft crunch of gravel beneath her sneakers.As soon as she opened the front door to Bayside, laughter and music filled her ears.

She looked around and spotted the team near the back patio door.Bear was the first one to see her, and as if knowing how anxious she was to see Nails, he nodded his head in the direction of the patio door.

As she walked toward the door, her heart began to beat faster.And when she stepped out onto the patio deck, her breath caught in her throat.

Nails stood just feet away, leaning against the railing with his back to her.He had a beer bottle dangling between his fingers.She stood there for a moment, admiring him as he talked to Clover.

God, even from behind, he looked amazing.

Clover looked in her direction and gave her a slight nod.She then said something to Nails that made him stand up straighter.

Riley took a step forward, just as Nails turned around.His eyes locked with hers, and the beer he was holding slipped right from his hand, shattering on the wood deck.

“Riley…” he whispered, looking stunned.

She stopped and stood there frozen for a second.But he started moving, and in three long strides, he was in front of her.He wrapped his arms around her like a vice and lifted her off the ground.

She buried her face in his shoulder.Her arms tightened around his neck as tears burned her eyes.

“I missed you,” she whispered, her voice breaking a little.

“I missed you more,” he replied, holding her like he never wanted to let her go.His hand threaded through her hair, and his voice dropped to a rasp.“You’re really here.”

She pulled back slightly to look at him.His eyes were glassy, and his jaw was clenched like he was holding back a thousand emotions.

“Where else would I be?”she teased, looking into his brown eyes.

“You told me you were at the doctor’s and that you would call me when you were finished.I was getting worried.”