Page 90 of Dreamboat

“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.

“I guess Faith and I can come visit you.” He chuckles awkwardly. “I told Donovan I was considering taking her on a cruise for our honeymoon, but I’ll switch it up and surprise her with a trip to Paris.”

I drop the flowers on the counter and spin back around. “I won’t be in Paris. I’ll be here. I’m staying in New York.”

He rushes at me and picks me up to spin me around. “Thank Christ. I would have missed you so damn much. I’ve never told you how much I miss you when you leave town.”

Tears flood my eyes. “You do?”

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