“I’m not wrong.”
“I’d been swamped and looking for a secretary for weeks.”
“Even if we set aside that fact, it doesn’t change how you feel now.” He rubbed the spot where he’d been shot. “Life is short,man. You almost died. Tell the woman you love her and live your life.”
“Thomas, it’s not that simple.”
It wasn’t even close. I wouldn’t just be stepping into a relationship. I’d be stepping into fatherhood, and I wasn’t confident I’d ever be fit for that role. What if I did more harm than good?
Of course, Cora would have all the support she needed. She definitely couldn’t stay in that matchbox apartment. It wasn’t safe. And she’d need an excellent daycare if she wanted to continue working. Or she could decide she wanted to stay home with him. I’d help her do that as well.
I’d give her and the baby anything they needed.
I just wasn’t convinced they needed me. Failing once was bad enough, and I couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.
They needed better than that.
Better than me.
Chapter Three
CORA
Our accommodation optionswere the Dusty Armadillo Hotel or the largest house I’d ever seen in my life. And because Jason was the one in charge of that, he’d chosen the house.
We’d argued, and he’d won because I had to admit staying in a place with “dusty” in the name didn’t sound appealing at all. I’m sure the owners were trying to be cute, but as far as business decisions went, it wasn’t the smartest idea.
After we’d chosen our rooms and placed our bags in them, Thomas had done his security sweep and we’d all gone to bed. But even as tired as I was, I found myself wide awake just a little before the sun would make its appearance. I shuffled into the opulent, granite and stainless-steel kitchen, and started the coffee-making process. If the guys were as tired as I was, it was a two-pot day—minimum.
Once the coffee was brewing, I walked to the French doors and marveled at the enormous, immaculate backyard completewith an inground pool, a hot tub, and a small lazy river. Beyond that, there was a private airstrip.
“Unbelievable,” I whispered to myself.
At least a dozen bluebonnet-filled ceramic pots were littered all around the covered patio. To the right was a full kitchen, and to the left, a massive fireplace. A wicker and cushion patio set sat between them, and in the center, a fire pit.
Whoever designed this place didn’t skimp on the luxury even a little.
Truly gorgeous, but all I could think about was the poor housekeeper. I sure hoped the windows were sealed well. I couldn’t imagine trying to dust the place if not.
Maya would have been living in the pool. She was such a water baby. We’d been estranged for months, so I was used to not talking to her every day. But this was different. This was permanent. The hollow ache in my chest reminded me that I’d never get the chance to fix things between us. Never get the chance to tell her I loved her ever again. We were supposed to grow old and move to Florida. We were supposed to… not leave this earth as strangers.
My phone lit up and slowly crawled along the kitchen countertop. I quickly walked over, picked it up, and smiled.
I just got your text!
While Jason was hospitalized, I’d gotten to know his sister, Anna. The woman was a larger-than-life fashionista. Needless to say, she was always impeccably dressed and one of my best friends. I loved her, even if she was rude to me the first time we met.
To be fair, I’d later learned Jason had barked orders at her and was forcing her to get married to Ari Kalantzis. I’d have been more than just a little rude if that’d happened to me.
I had found out not long ago that she was pregnant. Talk about glowing.
I know you’ve been dealing with morning sickness… it was late…
My phone immediately began ringing, and I answered. “Hey.”
“Your sister died, and she left you her baby. I don’t care if I’m on death’s door, you call me.”
I smiled. “I’m sorry.” I hadn’t even wept for her yet. Everything happened so fast that I’d yet to let myself fall apart. She was all the family I had left in the world.
