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)
“Another night then?” he asks, a smile splitting his lips apart.
“Sure,” I respond with a grin. “How’s the day been for you, Matt?”
He crosses his arms over his chest. He’s dressed in blue scrubs today. That’s not typical for him, or for me for that matter. I’m almost always wearing dark pants and a button-down shirt, as I am today. I slide on a clean lab coat and go about my day.
If I know I’m facing a day of surgeries, I’ll opt for scrubs, too.
“A few bites, some scratches, and a lizard had its way with my thumb.” He wiggles his left hand. “So, it’s a typical Tuesday.”
I chuckle. “Same, other than the lizard.”
He glances over his shoulder. “Faith and I are firming up our wedding plans. We don’t have a date yet, but I want my work family there. It’s important to me, Donovan. I hope I can count on you to make the time.”
I’m touched that he views me through that lens, so I answer the only way I can, “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Even a painful break up.
If Delia does decide to dump me, I’ll still attend the nuptials because I owe that to Matt. I owe him the truth, too, but until I know where Delia stands on the next stage of our relationship, I can’t tell the man standing in front of me that I’m falling in love with his sister.
I’m on the sidewalk waiting as the rideshare with Delia inside comes around the corner.
Relief floods me even though I heard her voice thirty minutes ago when she finally reached out.
She sounded off, but not in an I’m-about-to-break-your-heart kind of way. Her voice had the same discomfort etched into it that was there the night she came down with food poisoning on the cruise.
She told me that she had a restless night and couldn’t keep anything down today, not even a piece of plain toast so she decided to get back into bed around eleven this morning and when she opened her eyes it was five-thirty.
I asked if she had shrimp scampi last night, but all I got in response was a soft laugh and a clear and defined “no way.”
I have the back passenger door to the SUV open as soon as the driver stops next to the curb in front of my home. He tosses me a wave and wishes Delia well as she slides out to greet me with a hug.
She melts into my arms and I can’t help but breathe in the scent of her perfume and her. If today taught me anything it’s that I’m past the falling in love stage. My heart belongs to her whether or not she wants it.
I know it’s happened fast - probably too damn fast for most people but I’ve waited thirty-six years to experience my first taste of love and it’s more than I imagined it would be.
As the SUV drives off, she steps back to look up at me. “Hey.”
I look into her eyes before my gaze drops to the denim dress she’s wearing. “Hey, beautiful.”
That brings a smile to her face. “I like that you think I look beautiful today.”
“You are beautiful everyday,” I stress each word. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” She nods. “I’m not sure how much dinner I’ll eat, but I’m here and that’s what counts, right?”
It counts for everything. Even though she’s feeling under the weather, she got in a car and came to see me.
That reminds me…
“Delia.” I cradle her face in my hands. “I know you’re scared that Matt will show up if I’m ever at your apartment, but I’d feel a hell of a lot better if I at least had your address. You have my word that I’ll never show up without an invitation.”
She studies my face. “I could tell by the sound of your voice that you were worried about me today.”
I was fucking terrified that she either dumped me without a word or worse that something horrible had happened to her.
An endless stream of what-if scenarios ran through my mind when I was waiting to hear back from her.
“I was very worried,” I confirm and then add to it, “I was scared, Delia. I was fucking scared.”
She tugs her phone out of the brown leather tote bag she’s carrying. “I’ll text you my address, Donovan.”
I wait until she’s done before I kiss her forehead. “Thank you.”
She glances toward my front door. “Can we go inside? I’d love a glass of water and a few more kisses.”
I take her hand to lead her toward the steps. “I’m here to give you everything you could ever want.”
Including my heart, but not until I know it’s something she actually does want.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Delia
“Did you save any lives today?” I ask Donovan as he sits next to me in his bed.