For the first time in so long I couldn’t remember, he smiled. “You like him.”
“Who?”
“Your fiancé.”
The laugh was laced with nervousness. “It’s complicated.”
“You did this for me. Didn’t you? You’re marrying him for the money.”
My God. I didn’t realize the fake relationship was that transparent. “I care about Christian.”
Donovan nodded. “I can tell you both care about each other. That’s good, but you deserve to be happy.”
I wanted more than anything to be able to tell my brother I was happy, but in truth, I was still mostly numb inside. Too much had changed. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
The rap on the door meant my time was up. He wouldn’t be allowed visitors for three months and that was if he obeyed all the rules.
Like Christian wanted me to do.
There was no comparison, yet I couldn’t get the thought from my mind.
“I need to go, but I’ll check on you. You can call me, send me emails and texts.”
He walked closer. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”
When I hugged him, for the first time I felt him trembling not from withdrawals or from being high, but from fear. “I love you, Donovan. Please do this for you.”
“You want to know the truth? I am. Be happy yourself, Vannie. You deserve everything special in your life. Including a guy who treats you right. I think Christian is good for you. Now that I’m committed to cleaning up, maybe you can finally allow yourself to fall in love.”
He hadn’t called me Vannie in years. Maybe a little sign of hope.
I wasn’t going to break his bubble that he’d likely never see Christian again.
When I walked out, Christian said nothing. As we headed to the parking lot, he placed his hand on the small of my back and the simple gesture brought more comfort than I was willing to admit. By the time we reached the car, this time taking the very comfortable Mercedes I’d made fun of before, all the energy had drained from my body.
Facing another three-hour drive felt grueling. Maybe a part of me wanted to remain close to Donovan if only for a day. Not that it would matter.
“Thank you for driving today,” I said when we were settled in the car.
“You’re welcome. The least I could do.”
There was still such awkwardness between us. My thoughts were so muddled that I wasn’t making any sense. “Do you think he’ll be alright?”
“We’re only three hours away.”
We. Well, at least the man was taking the commitment to our marriage seriously. Maybe it was something that would keep me from lashing out at him.
“If you want, I can try and drive to your house. Of course, I might end up in the middle of the Everglades and you know what could happen. Just so you know. I’m terrified of snakes, especially ones large enough to eat me in a single gulp.”
He smirked as he rolled out of the parking lot. “A little hint. So am I. We’re not going home. At least not yet.”
“Then where are we going?”
“Somewhere relaxing.”
Barely five minutes later, I realized he was heading to the beach. I could almost feel the ocean breeze through the air conditioning vent. When I couldn’t take it any longer, I lowered the windows. The midafternoon sun was golden, wispy clouds were in the deep blue sky, and the temperature perfect for a beach outing.
Even if my emotions were still all over the place.
