Page 57

Nodding again, he said, “Yup.”

“Michael Tyler, you are such a liar!” Now her laughter was full blown. “I have a feeling you’ve hit your share of things—and not always to relieve stress.”

“Okay, okay, okay...you got me. I’ve been known to not only hit the bag at the gym from time to time, but...I’ve also allowed myself to be on the receiving end of a handful of punches to help a friend.”

Leaning back in her chair, she eyed him shrewdly. “You let someone punch you so they’d feel better?”

“True story.”

“This I’ve got to hear...”

Mimicking her pose, he crossed his arms and shared his story. “About five years ago, Julian was at a pretty low point in his life. He had a very public breakdown in the form of calling off his wedding and had taken off for three months to find himself. When he got back, he met Charlotte. I knew right away that she was the best thing to ever happen to him, but I knew he was going to screw it up out of some misplaced sense of...I don’t know...punishment to himself. Anyway, he did screw it up and broke up with her, but I was doing some work with her. She was doing a lot of great stuff for the homeless and I got involved.”

“Impressive.”

He shrugged. “Not really. It was all Charlotte. Anyway, I went over to Julian’s place—which is now my place.” Then he paused and thought about that. “Actually, it was always my place, but I let him live there for a few months. Either way, I went over there one day and he was being so damn stoic—like he didn’t give a damn that she was gone and all that crap. So I poked the bear a little. I needed him to snap out of his damn funk and start living again. And ended up on the receiving end of a major ass-kicking. I don’t think I’ve ever been afraid of getting hurt the way I was that day. He broke one of my ribs, but I never told him.”

“Holy crap! Why? Why would you do that to yourself? And what kind of friend breaks another friend’s rib? I actually liked Julian, but now...”

Mick held up a hand to stop her. “I knew exactly what I was doing, Sienna. It was a little unorthodox, but it had the desired results.”

She looked at him like he was crazy and was definitely going to argue some more about it, but fortunately, their bruschetta arrived, along with their wine.

Saved by the food...

“Why don’t you let me get a picture of you with the bread bowl?” he suggested. “Then you can send it to Eleanor.”

“Oh, my face is probably a mess from crying...”

“So? You’re beautiful, Sienna.”

The look she gave him told him she didn’t believe it.

“Fine. Go run to the ladies' room and see for yourself.”

“But...the food...?”

“Will still be here. I promise not to start without you.”

She glanced at the table and then at him. “Two minutes. Three, tops!” And then she was gone.

Mick pulled out his phone and shot a quick text to Lynn.

Mick: I need you to find the fastest way to ship to Sourdough bread from San Francisco to Durham, North Carolina

Lynn: Anywhere in particular in Durham or just the city?

Mick: Ha, ha. You’re hysterical

Mick: I’ll get you an address in a few minutes, but let me know what you can find

Lynn: You got it!

Mick: Thanks

When he looked up, Sienna was walking toward him and looking a lot more relaxed. As soon as she was seated, she pulled the bread bowl toward her before handing him her phone.

“Good thing I don’t wear a lot of makeup,” she said with a small laugh.