Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest) - By Carly Phillips Page 0,66

it a day. But Mike didn’t like unfinished business. He hated it even more when it pertained to his life.

In the midst of the chaos with Rex, a surprising need for home surfaced. Mike wanted to talk to Sam and Erin, to feel a part of the family he’d tried so hard to distance himself from. That need surprised him.

Cara stirred, shifting and rolling to face him. “You okay?” she asked.

“I’m with you, so never better.” He leaned over and kissed her.

She smiled and curled back into his side. “Except I wasn’t talking about us. I can practically hear you thinking.”

He chuckled, not surprised how well she read him. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Want to talk about it?” she asked, extreme caution in her voice.

No doubt because he’d been such an ass the last time she’d approached him. “I would, if there were something to discuss. Rex is a no-good son of a bitch who’d rather hurt his own son than reveal information. That about sums it up, and there’s nothing I can do to change it.”

Cara exhaled hard. “All true. But you shouldn’t dismiss how he made you feel.”

“I feel like I don’t want to have anything to do with the man, but since his blood is running through my veins, I really can’t control that either.” He wished he could take back the sarcastic bite in his voice, but it was too late.

“Mike—”

“Look, I know you’re here for me and…I appreciate it.” He cut her off before she could poke at the wound his father opened in him. No matter how well meaning, he wasn’t up to it. “I just need to work through it myself.”

“Mmm,” she said, and the sound vibrated through him. “Been there and thought that many times myself. I get it.”

For the first time, he sensed that she really did. Funny thing was, he hated the thought of her going through any of her personal garbage alone. Still, that was exactly what he needed right now.

“I can’t wait to get home,” he muttered.

“Having that bad a time?” she asked lightly.

“Not when I’m with you.” He squeezed her tighter. “I just need to get away from here.”

“I get that too.” With her head snuggled in the crook of his arm, he couldn’t see her face or read her expression. “Besides, you already showed me the best of Vegas, so I really can’t complain that you’re ready to leave.”

He twirled his finger in her hair, guilt riding him that when he should still be enjoying the next twenty-four hours, he wanted to get out of the state his father lived in as soon as possible.

“Come,” he said, nudging her shoulder.

“Where?”

There was one more sight they’d yet to enjoy together. “Get dressed. I want to go outside and see the light show.” Personally, he could live without it, but he remembered her delighted expression when she talked about seeing the lights.

“Are you sure? We could call the airlines now and get on the next flight home,” she offered.

“Not until after you’ve seen the light show.” He rolled her onto her back and pinned her to the mattress. “And definitely not until after I’ve seen your face when you do.”

Twelve

Mike came home from Vegas, caught up on sleep, and insisted Cara do the same. He gave her a few days off and took some for himself. As soon as he felt more human and got a handle on his emotions, he called and met his brother and sister for lunch at The Family Restaurant.

He arrived last, as usual. His siblings were waiting, their meals and his ordered and on the table. They looked at him with concern.

“You texted us to say you were going to Vegas to meet Rex Bransom. Then we heard nothing for three days,” Erin said, chiding him in an exact replica of their mother’s voice.

Mike settled in a chair across from her. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“I heard you dragged Cara along with you.” Sam made it sound like an accusation.

“She offered to go,” Mike said tightly.

“Sam, leave him alone,” Erin urged.

“No, let’s finish this conversation once and for all.” He and Sam hadn’t gotten past Mike’s seeing his brother’s best friend, and Mike was tired of pretending everything was fine between them when it wasn’t. “Do you want Cara for yourself? Is that it?” Mike asked his brother.

Sam clenched his jaw. “No. I just want to know that when you pick up and leave—and you will because you always do—you