Page 162 of Perfect Satisfaction

I just need to figure out how to tell him.

Everything.

CHAPTEREIGHTY-ONE

It’s no wonder women’s little fingers are so strong. They have men wrapped around them.

It’s probably the most worked out part of their bodies.

—StellaNova

Hours after we evacuate the tub,Sula reluctantly heads into her office. Meanwhile, I collapse face-first on our bed to find heaven in a restorative nap. My dream of kissing my way up the inside of Sula’s thighs is rudely interrupted by my cell phone ringing.

I flip over to my back and grumble, “Arek Ronan.”

An irritated feminine sigh comes from the other end of the line. “It goes against everything I believed in to help you. Yet, it appears what I believed was false. I’m in a bit of a quandary, Mr. Ronan.”

I scramble so my back is pressed to the headboard. “Who is this?”

“Danielle Madison.”

“Liza contacted you.” I panic as I await her judgment.

“Mr. Ronan,” she begins.

“Please, make it Arek. I feel odd talking about all this when I’m not on a first-name basis with someone.”

“Arek, I’ve been by Sula’s side every day. In spirit if not physically.”

“The day of the show and the day of the funeral,” I confirm.

“Yes. Not to mention the most recent incident at Tavern on the Green. So has Brendan, as I’m sure you can imagine. His love for Sula is eternal. When he found out he was going to have a baby sister, he said a piece of his life shifted into place that he never knew was missing.”

“I know exactly how he feels.”

“Before deciding whether or not to interfere, I plan on sharing all of this with him.”

“I’d expect no less.” Then I latch onto something she said, “You knew her as a young woman? What was she like?”

“In many ways, she reminded me of my cousin Jenna—bright-eyed, inquisitive, determined. Also like Jenna, when that changed, it was hard to witness.”

“Because of me,” I whisper painfully.

“Well, before you,” she corrects gently, giving me absolution when I know I don’t deserve it. “Both young women were products of people who should never have been married and, throughout their lives, had to shed the burdens of parental influence. Jenna’s done it easier than Sula. What time I could, I’ve spent with them. It wasn’t enough.”

“I would think they’d both say something different—that they believe themselves fortunate they had you at all.”

“Brendan says the same thing.” In Danielle Madison’s voice I hear the confidence that comes only from the assurance of love. “But in Sula’s case, I’m not so certain.”

Dread forms in my stomach. “Why?”

Danielle confesses, “Liza is—was—my friend, Arek. I had little reason to doubt if she kissed a man publicly that...”

Her conflict hits me straight in the gut. “You’re the one who showed Sula the tabloid.”

“She was withering away under hope refusing”—Danielle clears her throat—“well, everything.”

“Family.”