•114•Too Good At Heart

It occurred to Alex very quickly as soon as he arrived in Rockford that he didn't even know where Nicole lived. Pulling his car over on the side of the road, he picked his phone and dialed her number.

It ranged until it went to voicemail. So did the second dial. She finally picked up on the third.

“Alex,” She said.

His chest constricted when he realized that he'd been right all along. She was still crying. It was clear in the hoarseness of her voice.

“Text me your address, Nicole.”

“What? Why?”

“I'm in Rockford. I want to see you.”

“You're in Rockford? Why?”

Alex swallowed. “I needed to make sure you were okay.”

There was a long pause where the only thing he could hear was her breathing before she finally spoke. “Okay. Should I come for you at the airport?”

“I didn't take a flight. I drove.”

Her incredulous voice came through immediately. “You drove all the way here just to make sure I