Free Super Nova by Jayne Rylon

he’d never moved on. Probably never would. She understood that too. Watching her mother grieve had been a hell of a lot harder than calling their beat-up Explorer home. “I’m glad we were able to help, even a little bit, in tiding you over until you could get on your feet. You should be proud. My son tells me you and your sister have built quite a strong enterprise for yourselves too. He’s no dummy. He wouldn’t trust your family with the most important day of his life if you didn’t deserve his faith. And he certainly wouldn’t have invited you here, to meddle with his baby. You’re doing a great job, Nola.”
    And with his paternal praise, Tom made her feel like part of his clan.
    When had anyone encouraged her before? Though her mom probably would have if not buried in grief, she hadn’t always been in a position to offer support.
    Tears stung Nola’s eyes. She blinked rapidly, not wanting to appear weak during her first real day on the job. How could somewhere instantly feel like home? And what would happen when her temporary assignment ended?
    This wasn’t her place. These weren’t her insta-friends. Even if they seemed like it.
    All she could do was live up to the compliment Tom had paid her. “So I guess we should get started then?”
    She didn’t realize she nibbled her lower lip until Kaige lifted his free hand to swipe his thumb over the abused flesh. “I’m ready if you are.”
    Something flashed in his sky-blue gaze. Empathy maybe. Not pity. She’d come to know what that looked like well enough during those tough times. A guy who could understand where she’d been and that it didn’t make her any less capable, well that was something she’d struggled to find.
    And here he was, holding her hand.
    “Have fun, kids.” Tom broke them from their daze. “Don’t work too hard.”
    “Don’t listen to him, cabron .” Alanso got his say in. “Make us rich.”
    Sally laughed and slapped him playfully. His tight abs sounded like a drumhead when she tapped him. “Quit being ridiculous.”
    “Hey, we’re gonna need the cash once Eli sees the bill for that gown you and Nola’s sister picked out last night.” He pretended to gripe, “Since when do you even like dresses?”
    “If I’m only going to wear one once, it’d better be the perfect getup.” Sally shrugged, looking sheepish.
    “You’ll be beautiful as always, I’m sure.” Alanso tipped her face up and kissed her softly.
    Nola had to look away. Not because she felt like she was intruding, but because she wrestled envy at the tenderness and adoration Alanso rained on his soon-to-be wife.
    “Although I like you just fine in nothing too.” He broke the spell, returning their easy camaraderie.
    “All right, enough clowning around.” Kaige nudged her out the door. “We’ll be in the break room if you need us. Don’t need us.”
    Something in his warning made it sound as if they’d be getting busy. And not the kind of involved that had to do with marketing strategies or new product development either.
    Part of her didn’t object as strenuously as it should.
    “But my leftover pizza is in the fridge.” Alanso pouted. “I’ll give you until lunchtime. Then I’m coming in.”
    “Fair enough.” Kaige wiggled his brows. “We can get a lot accomplished in a few hours. Right, babe?”
    The thrill of his pet name shouldn’t have affected her. But it did.
    Everything about him did.
    Crap .
    Nola wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Tom’s opinion of her, and even more importantly, of her sister or their business. Certainly not by fooling around with one of the Hot Rods while on the clock.
    Yet once they were sequestered in the break room, with its big folding table in the center and a whiteboard propped against one wall, she realized Kaige didn’t intend to drop the ball either. Though he pulled his chair unnecessarily close to hers while firing up his laptop and he occasionally touched her knee—or caressed her hand or