Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
My mother hasn’t either.
“Did he tell you that recently?” she studies my face.
I see the moment realization washes over her. “Does he live in Boston, Donovan?”
“Yes.”
“You went there to see him,” she says with a finger pointed at me. “That’s why you went. It wasn’t to fuck Carolyn’s friend.”
I can’t help but laugh at the audacity of that. “I’ll never fuck another woman, Delia. You can count on that.”
“I know.” She pats her chest. “I feel that here.”
“I went to spy on him,” I admit. “I’ve done that for years. Jesus, this is so fucking embarrassing.”
Her hand finds my cheek. She guides my face so that our eyes can meet again. “Never be embarrassed to tell me anything. Ever. You miss him, don’t you? Your heart is telling you it’s time to put the past behind you.”
That’s exactly what it’s been telling me for the past two years, but I’ve never found the courage to approach my brother even though I’ve trailed him through the streets of Boston for hours on end. I even followed him out west when he was attending an awards dinner.
“I have no idea what to say to him, Delia.”
She pats my cheek softly. “Hi is a good start.”
“Hi?” I chuckle. “It can’t be that easy.”
“You won’t know that unless you try,” she tells me. “If you want me to go with you, I’m there, but I’ll understand if you need to do it alone.”
The offer to accompany me on a trip that may change my life forever means more to me than she can know. “Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you, Donovan,” she whispers before she leans close to kiss me. “Anything.”
“That works both ways.”
“I know.” She nods. “I know.”
I make a spur of the moment decision because with her love and support, I finally have the courage I need to face my past. “I’ll book a flight back to Boston.”
“Today?” she asks with a smile. “Will you see him today?”
“Yes.” I kiss her cheek. “I’ll go see my brother today.”
“I’ll go see mine today, too,” she whispers. “I know I’m not quite past the first trimester, but the stress of keeping all of this from Matt isn’t good for me or the baby.”
“I can push my trip back a day or two,” I say, wanting to offer her the same support she’s shown me.
“I can handle it.” She smiles. “I’ll drop the news that his boss knocked me up but I’ll follow that up by telling him that I’m in love with you and always will be.”
I laugh. “I’ll always love you, too.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Delia
There’s no time like the present to drop a bombshell in my brother’s lap so I ask him to meet me at my penthouse on his way to work.
Since he’s scheduled for a later shift, I have lunch waiting when I hear the knock at the door.
It’s roasted fresh vegetables served on a bed of butter lettuce with a tangy honey mustard dressing.
In my current state, none of that sounds appetizing to me, but I know Matthew will like it and anything I can do to lessen the blow of the news I’m about to deliver, is helpful.
I picked up the salads on my way home from Donovan’s townhouse. He left before me since he was able to secure the last seat on a flight leaving to Boston an hour ago.
As he faces his brother to confront their past, I’m facing mine to carve a path forward to my future.
I swing open the door to my apartment.
My brother, dressed in scrubs, shoves a handful of fresh flowers at me. “I stopped by Wild Lilac to order a bouquet of roses for Faith and I saw these. You didn’t look happy the last time I saw you, so I thought they might help.”
The last time he saw me was at Roman’s apartment less than forty-eight hours ago. I thought my life was falling apart, but it actually was the springboard I needed to vault into the place I am now.
“They’re beautiful.” I stare down at the mix of wildflowers. “I’ll put them in a vase.”
He follows behind as I walk toward my kitchen. “Are you okay, Delia?”
Emotions already rush to the surface but I force them back with a deep breath. “I’m better than I’ve ever been.”
“So, you’re taking the job in Paris?” Disappointment taints his tone. “You asked me here to tell me that, didn’t you?”
I have so much to tell him, but none of it relates to France. I thought I might want that. I sensed the opportunity could forge a path toward a future in teaching, but I see now that I don’t have to jump continents to do that.
Everything I want is here, within my grasp.
I shake my head, but since my back is turned to him, he doesn’t notice.