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)
“I will,” I offer the same vague promise I always do.
My presence there in her place of solace will come with as much pain as happiness. My face is a reminder of a loss so profound that she can barely speak of it.
“I hope so,” she whispers. “I just wanted to check in on you.”
That’s the cue that she needs to go, so I lean into that. “I’m good, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Her voice cracks. “Take care, okay?”
“I will,” I close my eyes as I say the words. “You too, Mom.”
Donovan: I’m home, Delia. I’m here if you need to talk, or if you just want a big bowl of berries.
I reread the text message that I sent Delia thirty minutes ago.
I’m not surprised that she hasn’t responded to it. It’s nearing eleven now and if there’s one thing I know about the first trimester of a pregnancy, it’s that sleep is a necessity.
I learned that fact and many more from the book I picked up at a shop at the airport before I boarded my flight to Boston.
It’s obvious that the author of the book wrote it for expectant parents, but with an emphasis on the pregnant partner. I soaked up as much knowledge as I could since I spent hours reading it. I want Delia to feel as supported as I can and that means I need to have a thorough understanding of everything she’s going through and what I can do to help her.
I drop the towel that’s been wrapped around my waist to the floor before I tug on a pair of black boxer briefs along with jeans.
The shower I had was badly needed. I stood under the hot water letting it beat down on me as I closed my eyes and wished for a future that I fear is slipping out of my grasp.
I’m pissed at myself for going to Boston. It may have cost me the woman I love.
The sound of my doorbell ringing fills not only the room, but it sounds an alarm on my phone, too.
I scoop it up and open the doorbell app, expecting it to be the delivery guy.
Since I haven’t eaten all day, I ordered a large pepperoni pizza. It’s something I never do, but hunger will only serve to make sleep even more difficult than I already know it will be, and I need to rest.
I need to do that so I can face tomorrow with a clear mind and a solid mission. I want to find Delia and talk to her. I have to understand what’s changed and what I can do to fix it.
I take the stairs down to the main level two at a time.
By the time I’m at the door, the bell is ringing again. “I’m here.”
I don’t say it loud enough for the delivery person to hear it through the door, so I repeat the words as soon as I swing it open, “I’m here.”
A young woman is standing in front of me with an insulated red bag in her hands. Her gaze trails over my bare chest. “Pizza for one?”
I glance past her to a dark SUV idling by the curb in front of my home. The back door flies open and one leg appears followed by the rest of the woman I’m crazy about.
Delia shoots me a glance and even with just the light from the street lamp illuminating her face, I see pain there. I see questions that I know only I have answers for.
“It’s for two actually,” I tell the woman in front of me. “It looks like the woman of my dreams will be joining me.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Delia
I wait until the woman delivering what looks like pizza to Donovan descends the steps. She pauses briefly on her way to a white sedan to smile at me. “You’re one lucky lady.”
“The pizza is that good?” I manage a small smile.
“The man you’ll be sharing it with is.”
Jealousy shoots through me again. The feeling is becoming all too familiar since it’s been nagging at me constantly since Matt made it clear he thinks Donovan does a lot more than network with other vets at the conferences he goes to.
“He told me you’re the woman of his dreams.” She sighs. “I’d give almost anything to be that to any man.”
Shocked by what she just said, I look toward where Donovan is still standing in the doorway to his home. “He said that?”
“That man loves you,” she whispers. “I’ve seen love before and he’s got it bad for you.”
I didn’t know how badly I want that to be the truth until I realized that Donovan might be out there looking for more fun than I can give him.
She nudges my elbow. “The pizza isn’t bad either.”
I laugh. “I’ll try a piece.”