Searching for Perfect (Searching For #2)(72)
Author: Jennifer Probst

She shrugged. “No reason. He’s with Mary now, he’s happy. That’s all I wanted for him. They both withdrew from Kinnections, so things must be working out well.”

“He’s not with Mary anymore.”

The breath whooshed out of her lungs. A terrible hope sprang from deep within, but she held it back. “What are you saying?”

He muttered something under his breath. “Nate loves you. He never had a relationship with Mary—they didn’t connect. Mary found someone else, and Nate decided to take some time off from dating. He’s trying to get over you, but it’s like he’s haunted all the time. Unhappy. He goes through the motions. Meets me and the guys for drinks, but he’s like a shadow of himself. I think I was wrong.”

Her heart pounded so hard and so loudly she swore his brother heard it. “About what?”

“About you. I think you got scared, like you said, and freaked out. I think I judged you because you remind me of all these women who have hurt me, starting with my mom. But I don’t want to do that anymore. Who am I to judge you? We all make mistakes. I’m a walking mess, but Nate’s putting me through school now, and I want more. Don’t you?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good. You need to go see him. Get him back.”

Her hands trembled as she pushed her hair back from her face. “I’ll need to prove he can trust me. You think he’ll forgive me?”

“Yeah. But you gotta come up with something good. Something epic.”

The hope let loose and sprouted. She had another chance. “I have to think.”

“Maybe you go see him in a raincoat, and you take it off, and you’re naked underneath. Then you say I’ll do anything to get you back.”

She rolled her eyes. “Dude, are you serious? That’s so lame and overdone. Next idea.”

Connor glared. “Would’ve worked with me,” he muttered. “I know! We deliver a big cake to his lab, and you jump out of it in a sequined bikini while the song ‘I Apologize’ is on in the background and beg his forgiveness.”

“Never gonna happen. Can you come up with an option where I wear actual clothing? It needs to be an emotionally epic moment, not physical.”

“I think you’re going in the wrong direction here.”

“You’re gonna be a real pain in the ass as a brother-in-law.”

They looked at each other and shared their first real laugh.

And then, suddenly, she had it.

“I know what to do. But I’ll need to recruit help.”

“What’s the plan?”

She relayed the basic details. His eyes widened and he finally nodded. “That’s a good one. Even though you’re not naked.”

“Thanks. I’m making the call.”

She reached out to grab the phone to talk to Wolfe.

NATE CHECKED HIS WATCH and decided to wait another five minutes. Wolfe was rarely late. He hoped he showed. Since the fight with his brother, things had settled a bit, but loneliness and thoughts of Kennedy still ravaged his mind. He was looking forward to a good game to test his skills and some male conversation for distraction.

The phone buzzed and he slid it out of his pocket. “Standing me up?”

A low chuckle. “Sorry, man, I got caught up in a project and can’t make it out.”

“No problem. I’ll miss kicking your ass, though.”

“I’m closing in on you, buddy. Shaved off two strokes in my game and closed my big deal. It was a beautiful thing.”

Nate grinned. “Damn, huge congrats. I knew you could do it.”

“You made it possible. Also realized there’s an untapped market in the hotel industry on the golf course. I left something for you in the office. Show Ron some ID and he’ll give it to you.”

“ID, huh? The plot thickens.”

“Enjoy. And don’t call me back with any bullshit. I can’t return them.”

“Now I’m worried. I guess I’ll thank you in advance, then.”

“Welcome. I found you another partner, too. Should be in the office waiting for you.”

“You think of everything. Now go make some money, for God’s sake.”

“Check in with you later.”

Nate hit the button and slid the phone back in his pocket. Pride surged through him for his friend’s accomplishment. He headed to the office, showed his license to Ron, and got escorted to the back room. There in the middle of the room lay the most magnificent golf clubs ever created.

He leaned over to inspect them. Shock held him immobile. His hand trembled as he ran a finger over the solid platinum and gold finish. Son of a bitch. The HONMA five-star custom set golf clubs were extremely rare, and crazy expensive. Trump played with them. How the hell had Wolfe managed?

As if his friend anticipated the question, Nate’s gaze snagged on the small envelope taped to the bag. He reached out and opened it up.

Nate,

Thanks for everything. I sent a video clip of your swing and got these custom made in London. Of course, I got my own set, so watch out. The student eventually surpasses the teacher.

See you next week.

—Wolfe

It was a while before he was ready to actually slide one of the clubs out and hold it in his hand. The metal glistened, and the handle fit in his hand like it was meant to be there. Emotion clogged his throat, but he fought it back because he knew Wolfe would groan about getting all mushy and refuse to acknowledge his gratitude. He was damn lucky to score a friend like that.

The door opened. “Nate? Your partner is waiting out here for you.”

“Coming.” He hoisted the clubs onto his shoulder, still bedazzled, and walked out of the office to the main fairway. Then stopped short.

“Hello, Nate.”

Kennedy stood before him.

Holy crap. She was gorgeous. Thick waves of hair fell past her shoulders, streaked with candy caramel color. The tennis dress thing was different from the last one she wore. This dress was shorter, and in fire-engine red. Her bare golden legs went on forever and ended in a pair of scarlet golf shoes.

His voice didn’t work. He kept trying, but it got stuck halfway up his lungs and caught in his throat. His dick seemed to work fine, though. It rose to full staff salute and pushed painfully against his pants. This was not happening. Was it? Was he dreaming or was he just completely stupid to think she ever secretly loved him at all?

He quickly ran through endless physics equations to calm his mind and be able to walk without highlighting his arousal. “What are you doing here?”