Page 20 of Forgotten Desires

Crap. I totally gave myself away with that.

“Of course not.” His grin tells me he definitely isn’t buying it.

I let out a breath that’s more like a laugh. “Well, it’s all water under the bridge. I’m glad to hear that you’ve done so well.”

“Thanks. What brings you into the city? I never expected to run into you—literally.”

Definitely not what I expected either.

I’m not sure if I should tell him, but there’s something inside of me that wants to tell someone. To unburden myself of all this anxiety.

“I came into New York because”—I pause, unable to say the words right away—“well, I’m . . . going to be giving my father part of my liver. He’s going to die without it and I’m a match, so I’m here for one of the last appointments I needed to have.”

He coughs and then grabs my wrist, stopping me from going forward. “You’re donating your liver?”

“Part of it. Yes.”

“To your father?”

I shrug. “That’s what I’m doing here.”

“Brynn.” Crew says my name, shakes his head, and finishes. “You told me your dad was a horrible man. That he hit your mother, was emotionally abusive to you and your brothers. I remember that story about you leaving and how it was the last time you saw him. I fucking hated him. I wanted to find him, beat the shit out of him for ever hurting you.”

The memories are there for me too. I was snuggled up on his lap late after the sun had set. Instead of drinking with our friends, we’d find a quiet spot and talk for hours. We held each other together while we laid out the broken parts of our souls.

It was why I thought I loved him the way I did. He picked up each piece for me, held it in his hand, and mended me. Or at least it’s what I told myself.

I stare up into his eyes. “People change and I can’t just let him die. I have to find a way to help if I can. He gave me life and the least I can do is give him a part of my liver, so he has a chance to maybe someday meet his grandchild, if I ever get married and have kids.”

Crew shakes his head. “I don’t know what to say, other than you are even more remarkable than I remember.”

I don’t think doing the right thing is remarkable, but I guess to some it is. “It’s just what I think I should do.”

“What do your brothers think? You talked about how incredibly overprotective they are, and after the wedding Asher looked like he wanted to kill me, so I’m guessing they still are.”

Ah, the Achilles heel in my plan to help Howie. “Yes, they are. They don’t know.”

He grins. “I can imagine how that will go over.”

“You and me both,” I say with a sigh.

“Do you have plans?” Crew asks suddenly. “Tonight. Do you have dinner plans?”

My pulse quickens at the idea of spending more time with him and I’m not sure I can say yes, but I don’t think I will walk away.

six

CARSON

She should turn me down, but God, I pray she won’t. I thought that the freedom I felt with Brynlee when we were kids was because she didn’t know who I was. That it was just that the stigma and expectation of being wealthy and powerful was gone.

I was so fucking wrong.

It’s her. Just her.

It’s the sweet, kind, selfless person she is, and I’m selfish enough to want more of her warmth.

“Dinner?”

---