Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“For whatever reason, the universe planned it this way.” I smiled sadly.
“All of that, and we end up right here right now in the place it all started. I woke up this morning to get eggs and somehow by the afternoon I’m in the closet with Primrose. It’s like a dream.” After a long moment of silence, he said, “I need you to clarify something.”
“Okay.”
“You said you ended the engagement. Does he understand that you and he aren’t together right now?”
“Yes,” I answered emphatically. “He wanted to give me the freedom to make sure I was making the right decision.”
Dorian let out a breath, seeming relieved. “And little Rosie? Where does she think you are this week?”
“Visiting old friends.”
“Friends in quotation marks?” He winked.
“Massive quotation marks and a question mark.”
He nodded. “It had to be hard for you to leave her.”
“It would’ve been harder not to come to you when my heart felt ready to explode. I’m finally figuring out that I’m no good to my daughter if I’m not happy.”
“In case I wasn’t clear in my absolute shock this morning, I’m glad you came, Rosebud.” He nodded. “So glad.”
His use of my old nickname sent a warm feeling through my body. Yearning to touch him, I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair, watching as he closed his eyes, letting out a low groan. But instead of returning the touch, he placed his hand on my arm, prompting me to pull away.
“I’ll let you decompress for a bit,” he said. “Come down when you’re ready, okay?”
Feeling a bit dejected, I cleared my throat. “Okay.”
After he left, I sat on the closet floor for a few minutes before forcing myself to go put my clothes in the drawers. I freshened up before heading downstairs.
Dorian was standing at the window, looking out pensively when I found him in the living room.
“Hey.”
He turned. “Hi.”
“What’s the plan?” I asked, feeling a bit tense.
“I want to show you something,” he said, leading me out back.
Dorian brought me over to a beautiful rose garden.
“Your mom’s garden is back.”
“Yep. I’d love to say I did it myself, but I hired a gardener to put it in.” He chuckled. “But I do maintain it. This is where I come now to think, meditate…to feel gratitude.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “Never thought you’d get to see this.”
“Is this where the rose you sent me came from?”
“Yes.”
“I’d thought that package was pretty formal until I reached inside and pulled out that rose.”
“I wanted you to know I was still thinking of you.”
“I knew that.” I grinned. “Also, it was kind of you to send me Christina’s ring. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“No one but you should have it.” Dorian fell silent. “Can you tell I’m still in shock that you’re here?”
“Yes, but I don’t blame you.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Only if you’re not cooking.” I winked.
“Wiseass.” He chuckled. “I was thinking we could go down to the boardwalk.”
“That sounds good.” Maybe a change of scenery would lighten things up a little.
That evening, Dorian took me to one of my favorite restaurants in Orion Coast: Judy’s Oceanside. During dinner, the mood gradually softened as we reminisced about the old days living together at the mansion. He told me about the consulting work he was now doing, and I bragged a bit about my daughter, how smart she was for her age and her interest in art. Every minute it felt more like old times.
“I’m glad to see you’ve relaxed,” I said.
He nodded. “I think getting away from the mansion was a good idea.”
Then my phone rang, and I looked down to find it was Casey.
Shit.
CHAPTER 33
* * *
Dorian
The look on Primrose’s face told me who was on the other line.
“Hello?” She paused. “Is everything okay?” Then after a few seconds, she looked over at me briefly. “Put her on.”
I crossed my arms and watched as she spoke to her daughter.
“Hi, sweetie. You can’t sleep?”
I smiled sympathetically from across the table, feeling like a complete jackass for being the obstacle that kept this woman away from her baby right now.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s hard,” she said. “But I’ll be home in less than a week.” After a few seconds, she frowned. “No, honey. I can’t.” She paused. “I know. Try to sleep and be a good girl for Daddy.”
After a long pause, she said, “Of course. Anytime she needs to hear my voice, don’t hesitate.”
I noticed her chewing her lip, a clear sign she was anxious. Looking downright sad, she wrapped up the conversation. We’d made a good effort to stick our heads in the sand tonight. But this call had forced reality back to the forefront.
“What did he say that made your face change like that?” I asked when she hung up.
She moved some food around the plate with her fork. “He said she wasn’t the only one who needed to hear my voice.”