A Brand New Ending (Page 6)

Mia shook her head. “That still doesn’t make sense. It’s been almost a decade—how long can a fight last? I’m sure once you guys talk it out she’ll offer you a room. For now, you’re welcome to stay with us if you don’t mind the couch. We have big plans this spring to build my office and a few more bedrooms, but for now you can share my amazing closet.” She pointed to the small area where she’d crammed a desk, computer, and a file cabinet.

“I can’t impose like that. You’re still in the honeymoon phase.”

Ethan snorted. “You’re sleeping on the couch, dude. Don’t think you’re gonna bother us in that department.”

Mia punched him in the arm, making them both laugh, but the intimate glance they shared socked Kyle straight in the gut. Once, he and Ophelia had been as close, practically finishing each other’s sentences, falling into each other like a beautiful poem or symphony that made sense. All their pieces slid into place. Now, she was a stranger.

Frustration simmered. He had to stay at the inn. The only way he’d be able to do this story justice was by steeping himself in the past. It was also his last shot at career redemption. Finally, he’d be able to walk away from the trap of canned action movies that had eroded his creative soul, leaving nothing but a shell. His agent had been a wreck about Kyle’s writer’s block, and he was delirious with glee when Kyle promised to deliver a new script in three months. He was in the process of assembling a dream team they could pitch it to, and Kyle would get one shot to convince everyone to take a chance on something completely fresh—the next great romance to rival The Notebook.

Yeah. They’d laugh him out of their offices if they realized that instead of another hot action movie, he was pitching a second-chance love story for the ages.

But every part inside him screamed he could pull it off if he got the chance.

If he got to write it here, where his story began.

He had to find a way to convince Ophelia to let him stay at the inn.

“Well, I appreciate the offer,” he said, tugging affectionately on Wheezy’s long ear. “Hopefully it will only be for a few nights.”

“Of course,” Ethan said. “I’ll talk to Tink and get it straightened out. You know how hard it is for her to say no to me.”

Mia groaned. “Think much of yourself, horse man?”

He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her fully. “Yeah. ’Cause of you.”

Kyle made a retching sound. “You have officially become whipped. Congrats.”

“Worth every lash,” Ethan threw back.

Kyle rolled to his feet. “Let me grab the rest of my stuff. Can I take you both out to dinner tonight? I’m looking forward to going into town.”

“Sounds good,” Ethan said.

“Great, why don’t I—holy shit, what is that?”

He stared in shock at the giant creature that had just strolled out of the bedroom. The monster had crazy white feathers that stuck up in various directions from his massive head. Red, fat jowls hung under a wicked sharp beak. His body was a mottled, inky black. It must’ve been surprised by the new visitor, because his beady eyes seemed to widen in mirrored shock, and it let out a wild screech that froze Kyle to the spot. He drew his wings back, and his clawed feet scratched at the floor like a bull revving up. He launched himself across the room in a fowl attack.

Kyle was used to farm animals, but he had to admit, he had to tamp down the yelp that rose to his lips.

“Hei Hei! Stop that now!” Mia’s voice whipped out. Magically, the creature halted just a step away.

Feathers bobbing up and down like mad, it let out a series of outraged squawks directed toward Mia.

“Don’t talk back to me like that. Kyle is a friend, and he’s staying here. Charging him is not appropriate behavior.”

The creature thing regarded him with a touch of resentment, then headed toward Mia. He rubbed his head like a cat over her legs, making low screeches as his beak tried to peck at her feet.

She giggled, stroking his crazy feathers with pure affection. “Good boy. Did you enjoy your nap?”

Kyle’s mouth dropped open. “What the hell is that thing?”

“A Polish chicken,” Ethan said, shaking his head. “He was one of Harper’s rescues, but the moment he saw Mia he fell in love. Now he’s her slave for life.”

“At least one of the men in my life is,” she said, giving him a wink. “His feathers are very delicate, so in the winter he has to stay inside the house. Don’t worry. He’s cranky but completely manageable.”

Ethan shot Kyle an amused look. “Hey, maybe he can be your new muse.”

“Sure. How’d you know I’m writing a fowl romance?”

They both cracked up. Ethan was the brother he’d never had, and he enjoyed their quick regression into juvenile humor.

Mia groaned, rising from the sofa and grabbing his empty coffee cup. “I have one conference call, then we can head out. I’ll leave you two to some male bonding time.” With a grin, she headed toward the kitchen. Hei Hei raced after her as if terrified she’d disappear.

“He’s a bit codependent,” Ethan said.

“You think?” Kyle paused, staring at his friend. “You scored, dude. She’s cool.”

“I know. Not sure how I got so lucky, but I’m not dumb enough to fuck it up. Even though I was engaged before, I didn’t know what love really was until I met Mia. Ever have that happen? Where you had this idea of how things should be, but you realize later you had it all wrong?”

He wished he could confide in Ethan about Ophelia. God knows his friend deserved every bit of happiness he’d found with Mia. Kyle craved that same type of fulfillment. Ophelia had been the only woman to give him a taste, and he’d lost her. Kyle winced and tried to push Ophelia out of his mind. “Yeah. That’s why I’m excited about this new project. I need to figure some shit out.”

“Well, I’m here if you need some help. Been down that road.”

“I know you have.” He paused. “I missed you, man.”

“Back atcha. Now before I give you a big-ass pansy hug, get your stuff and let’s set you up.”

“Thanks.”

Kyle headed to the car. For the first time in a long while, he felt the stirring of hope that everything would finally be different.

Chapter Four

“Tink, I’m begging you. Please help us out.”

She bit back a groan and tried not to look at her brother’s puppy-dog face.

Dammit.

He’d been insistent that he treat her out before she got slammed with guests, bribing her with the wickedly delicious homemade pasta at Lombardi’s. It was one of her favorite restaurants in town. The pasta and bread machine worked overtime, and the rich scents of garlic, red sauce, and olives saturated the air.

She hadn’t realized she’d be ambushed.

“You reap what you sow,” she retorted, grabbing a hunk of Italian bread drizzled with olive oil. “I told you he couldn’t stay at the inn, but you ignored me.”

“Your sister’s right,” Mia interrupted, coming to her rescue. “If I had known about it, I would’ve warned you to sit down and have a talk, not invite him and figure it was all just going to work out. But now we have a problem.” Her eyes glowed with worry. “Things are getting a bit . . . challenging.”