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)
She did ask me two weeks ago if I’d connected with Donovan after he wandered in here with Matt shortly after our cruise.
I told her I had but left it at that and fortunately a rush of customers piled into the shop at that moment so I was let off the hook.
I give each of the girls an extended hug before I do the same with Rome.
“I’ll come by for dinner soon.”
“Yay!” Georgie screams as she bounces up and down. “We’ll help Mommy cook dinner.”
Every time I hear either of the girls call Bianca “mommy” it tugs at my heartstrings. Their birth mother left New York shortly after they were born and she never returned. It cut Roman deep because our own father had pulled that trick on us when Callum was a toddler.
I have no memories of our dad and since our mom either tossed or hid away every picture of him that she had, I wouldn’t know the man if I passed him on the street.
I’m fine with that. He lost more than he realized when he walked away from his four children.
“I’ll help Mom,” Dora corrects her sister. “You know you’re not a good cook, Georgie.”
“Ouch.” Georgie mimes pulling a knife out of her chest. “That hurt.”
Roman puts his hands on Dora’s shoulders, pushing her long brown hair aside. “Don’t be rude to your sister.”
“She was rude first,” Dora accuses with a finger pointed in Georgie’s direction.
I hold in a laugh.
Their bond is reminiscent of the one I shared with Callum when we were kids. I’m two years older than him, but we fought like mortal enemies until we made up with our own secret handshake.
Forgiveness is the cornerstone of every Hawthorne family bond.
“Come in for a hug.” Dora extends her arms. “I’m sorry, Georgie.”
Nikita’s applause accompanies the hug. “Now that you two made up, who wants to help me stock a shelf of new lollipops that just came in?”
Both girls’ hands jump into the air, before they scream in unison, “Me!”
They’ve haven’t worn matching outfits in years, and Dora’s hair is shorter than Georgie’s now, but they are still similar in many ways.
The girls take off on Kita’s heel toward the back of the store.
Roman uses the opportunity to tug on the end of my ponytail. “I’ve missed you, Delia. You haven’t been avoiding me, have you?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
I’ve been falling in something beyond like with Donovan, but I’m not ready to admit that to anyone, including any of my brothers or Donovan, for that matter.
I’m scared that I’ve fallen so hard for him in such a short amount of time, and yet I’ve convinced myself that it will all be fine when Donovan tells me it time for us to part ways.
I can’t see myself making that decision for us, but unless I confess to Matthew that I’m involved with his boss soon, I know I can’t keep this up for much longer.
Guilt has been gnawing at me so heavily that it’s making me feel nauseous. I couldn’t keep my breakfast in this morning even though it was a delicious bowl of berries alongside perfectly cooked pancakes that Donovan prepared for me.
I barely made it back home before it all came right back up.
“Good.” He kisses the center of my forehead. “You know I’m always here for you. Have you taken some time to think about your next steps?”
I’ve always gone to my brother when I’ve needed any type of professional advice. When I first decided I wanted to offer tutoring to college students, Roman was the one who suggested I have my clients sign a contract outlining our shared expectations of one another along with my fee schedule and payment terms. I thought it was a step too far since my goal was simply to help people who were falling behind on their studies.
Roman’s advice allowed me to earn enough each month to cover my basic expenses along with a small amount for extras.
My busiest months also happen to be when I’m typically studying myself, but I’ve always managed to make it work.
“I’m still thinking about it,” I say.
I confided in Roman that I’m ready to move on from studying to jump into something new. I have a few options on the table regarding that, but since the decision is mine and mine alone to make, he’s given me room and encouragement to do just that.
He nods in understanding. “Can you make time for dinner one night soon? I know Bianca would love to see you.”
I’d love to see her, too. I adore both Bianca and Faith. My twin brothers have been fortunate. They found loving life partners they are wholly committed to. I’m hopeful Callum will find that too one day but he’s focused on his career right now. I can’t see him making time for a serious relationship for at least another decade or two.