Page 117 of Dr. Stone
My father’s brow lifted, “Do you think it’s a good idea to pursue her now after knowing why she distanced herself in the first place?”
“No,” I said. “I think it’s a necessary one.”
They were silent for a moment. Duke shifted in my lap, one paw stretching dramatically across my leg as if claiming territory, while I absently scratched the top of his head, patiently waiting for my parents to process this.
“She means more to me than any deal, any hospital board, any clean-cut reputation people expect me to uphold,” I said. “She’s not just some girl. Every day I spent with her, and especially now that I’m without her, I realize more and more that she’s the one for me. She walked away thinking she was protecting me, and now I’m flying across the world to show her she doesn’t have to.”
My mother tilted her head. “And what about her son?”
“His name is Brandon, and he’s a year old,” I nodded. “And in the short time I’ve spent with him, we really bonded. It already feels like he’s mine.”
“Well, I’d love to challenge your motivations here, but you never did listen to me when I told you what to do,” my father said, letting out a low breath as he looked out the window. “I will admit, however, that it seems evident you’ve changed.” Then he glanced back at me, shifted his gaze to Duke, and back again. “Bringing a dog like this on board the jet after telling us you are flying to Croatia to attend the kind of event you despise, all just to chase after a girl,” he shook his head in disbelief and exhaled as if he knew it wasn’t worth the fight. “She must be something special if she’s gotten through toyou.”
“Trust me, I know, and don’t ask me to explain it because it would make less sense if I did.”
“I know one thing to be true,” my mother gave a coy smile, “and that is that you wouldn’t have done this a year ago.”
“You’re damn right about that. I wouldn’t have even let a woman close enough to do this a year ago.”
She nodded, eyes softening. “Then, let’s hope we see you at the wedding asherplus one, and not ours,” my mother offered a smile that IknowI’d never seen her wear before.
My father finally looked back at me. “And if this little dog is proof of anything, it’s that you’ve already lost the upper hand.”
I glanced down at Duke, now asleep with one paw over his nose like he couldn’t be bothered with any of our senseless human drama.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “I’m painfully aware of that.”
Duke was something I really needed to figure out, especially if I were ever going to move in with or marry the woman my heart was set on. What the hell was I going to do to help this little turkey find his place once I got the lady back? He was the best pal a dumped fucker like me could ask for, but when a woman showed up, his whole personality flipped.
Those were problems for another day. At this point, I needed to focus on ensuring that those problems would even exist in the future. Now that I was certain my parents wouldn’t be an issue, my next hurdle was figuring out exactly what I’d say or do when I saw Andie again.
FIFTY-ONE
Andie
Nothing could have preparedme for Croatia, not even the stunning photos I’d obsessively zoomed in on after Ash sent me the link to where we’d be staying. During the flight, I even watched drone videos of the Dalmatian coastline on YouTube, but none of that came close to the reality. The water here was the clearest, most dazzling blue I’d ever seen. No picture or video could’ve captured the magic of this place…nothing like being here in person.
But instead of feeling giddy like I should have, I felt hollow. I was surrounded by billion-dollar views, the kind of lavish escape most people only saw in magazines—and yet, all I could think about was how I’d ruined the one thing that ever felt real. No ocean could drown that.
From the moment we stepped off the Asters’ private jet into the private airport, I was struck silent. The Asters’ helicopter was sleek and silent as it carried us over terracotta rooftops, olive groves, and cliffs that dropped into diamond-blue coves. Then,the yacht appeared, andholy shit. These people knew exactly how to take advantage of their fortunes.
Sebastian’s, and soon-to-be Darcy’s, six-hundred-million-dollar worth of floating architecture, theVanguard, was stretched across the water like it had been summoned by a goddamn Bond villain with impeccable taste, and we’d spent the past week enjoying the hell out of it.
Our time aboard the vessel had felt surreal, like a fever dream where you are best friends with billionaires and someone casually hands you a mimosa before your morning swim. It was something you woke up from, questioning if it was real, only to be smacked back into reality where therealpeople lived.
We ladies had spent the past week lounging on sundecks, paddle boarding into quiet coves, soaking in various open-air spas on different decks, and laughing our asses off over stupid shit while enjoying charming dinners beneath fairy lights and the Croatian stars. Of course, as expected, Ash organized morning yoga sessions on the bow of this floating palace, and Darcy let us watch as she was fitted in her breathtaking wedding gown like the princess she was.
Every night, after the laughter softened and the music faded, my thoughts always drifted back to Jace. I should’ve been like the other women—buzzing with anticipation, hearts fluttering at the thought of being wrapped up in their men’s arms again. But my arms were empty. And I’d been the one to make sure they stayed that way.
When the men finally arrived and joined the fun last night, it brought a burst of fun-filled chaos that seemed to light up every corner, like their arrival brightened every ambient light on the yacht. Watching Jake, Jim, Spencer, Alex, John, and Titus with his brothers walk onto the deck was like seeing a lineup of glossy magazine models, and all I could think was how perfectly Jace would have fit right in.
As anyone could have guessed, the men quickly paired off with their wives, leaving me to either dive into business talk with Titus and his equally attractive brothers or explore the parts of the yacht I hadn’t yet seen during the week.
Though Titus, Colton, and Wyatt graciously and happily invited me to stay on the top deck for cocktails, I just wasn’t feeling it. Damn it, I fucking missed Jace, and not even a group of attractive Spaniards with golden eyes and flirty grins could take away that ache.
Tonight, we all spent the evening at the aft deck bar beneath a sky streaked with fiery reds and golds. The air was euphoric, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses—the kind of warm, effortless energy that only comes from friends who genuinely love each other… and, of course, have the freedom and luxury to live well.
As everyone started to settle into chill mode, I wandered over to the rail. Ash nestled against Jake’s side, her cheeks glowing with their usual radiance after a touch of champagne. Sebastian had Darcy wrapped in his arms, whispering something that made her laugh and swat his chest. Natalia was telling a story about Spencer nearly throwing them both off their jet ski, while Colton and Wyatt argued over which onboard toy was faster. Then there was Titus. I liked this fun, lively, almost boyish version of him better than the stiff, royal man I’d been on a few dates with.
