“That is start, yes,” I said, covering her hand with mine, pressing it more firmly against my chest. Against the heart that beat faster whenever she was near.
I had loved Lydia with all my heart. Had ended my engagement to another woman to pursue her. But this fever that burned in my blood when Dede looked at me, when she touched me, and when she curled against me in sleep was consuming.
Lydia had been the woman I chose with my head and heart. Dede was the woman my body and soul demanded.
“Has Santo told you anything about Tia?” she asked quietly.
“Has something happened?”
“No. Nothing like that.” She looked away. “It’s just... Tia and I haven’t talked much since last November. We used to talk several times a day and now...” She trailed off, her hand moving restlessly on my chest. “Now it’s like she can’t get off the phone fast enough. She doesn’t approve of the pregnancy, and when she finds out you’re the father...” Her voice cracked slightly. “I’m going to lose her forever. She’s my only family besides these babies.”
The pain in her voice cut through me. I tightened my arms around her, feeling her tremble.
“You will not lose her, no. Chrysanthos, he has not said anything to me. But I can find out what is going on with her.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t.”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
“I don’t know. I just... I needed to talk to someone, and you’re the only other person I know who’s in my shoes.”
“We will manage it, yes? We tell them together. They are adults and will adjust.” I said it as if it were obvious. “Their emotional reaction, it is not our responsibility.”
She pulled back to look at me. “Aris, these are our children. Of course, their feelings matter.”
“I did not say their feelings do not matter. I said we are not responsible for managing them. They will feel what they feel, and then they will move forward. As adults do.”
“That’s... really cold.”
Was it? I was simply being practical.
“It is realistic.” I pressed my lips to her forehead, and she exhaled against my chest. “You are not alone in this, Dede. Not with our adult children, not with babies, not with any of it.”
She’d been alone through too much already. She didn’t have a proper family during her formative years, and then she’d faced her daughter’s cancer diagnosis and built her business while raising Tia by herself. But those days were over.
Whether she’d accepted it yet or not, she was mine now. I had never been good at letting go of what belonged to me.
The main house’s dining room was already occupied when we arrived. Bronson and Vienna sat at one end of the long table, heads bent together over Bronson’s phone.
“Dede!” Vienna looked up with a bright smile. “You look pretty.”
“Thank you.” Dede’s smile matched Vienna’s.
We settled into our seats as a staff member poured coffee and set out pastries. Douglas arrived moments later, followed by Mariela, Maxwell, and Sarah. The conversation stayed light—the weather, the distillery’s history, safe topics that revealed nothing.
Bronson was charming during the conversation, asking thoughtful questions about the distillery’s history and complimenting Mariela on the breakfast spread. His enthusiasm seemed authentic as he discussed the craftsmanship of the original barrels.
I could see why EchoHive had chosen him as their lead. He had natural charisma.
Then he turned his attention to Dede. “How far along are you, Deanna?”
“Five months,” Dede answered.
“Right. So you’ll be taking maternity leave right around the time the campaign would launch.” He said it as if he were problem-solving. “I saw firsthand with my sister how demanding those first few months are. The sleep deprivation alone is no joke.” He shook his head sympathetically. “She could barely string two thoughts together for the first six months.”
Every muscle in my body tightened. He was going after her pregnancy. Not her work. Not her experience. Her womanhood.
“Many women manage both,” Dede said, her voice tight.
