“You know, romance just isn’t in the cards for me. Not anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I’m over it.”
Donovan snickered.
“Completely?” Austin said.
“For now, I guess. I have other things I want to focus on. My business is at the top of the list.”
There were several seconds of silence, during which Donovan’s imagination kicked into overdrive. The thing was, Austin did not give up on anything easily, especially if there was some aspect of beating Donovan involved.
“Okay. Well, you know where to find me if you ever change your mind.”
Donovan wasn’t convinced his brother had actually given up. He was simply taking care to read her cues.
“Thanks, Austin. I’m going to go for a quick walk before I help Echo get ready. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, you will.”
Donovan caught a glimpse of Lela coming his way and he quickly ducked his head under the water, admonishing himself for eavesdropping. When he came up for air, she was standing on the pool deck peering down at him.
“The sign says adults should not swim alone,” she said.
“Yeah, well. I’m not really an adult and I’m not really swimming.”
Lela laughed and grabbed a seat at the end of one of the chaises surrounding the pool. “Did you just overhear my conversation with Austin?”
Donovan swam to the side of the pool and rested his arms on the edge, looking up at her. She was stunning in a black and white checked sundress and a pair of black Chuck Taylor low-top sneakers. “A little bit. I’m sorry. I should have warned you that he was interested in you. Although I guess you were able to figure it out on your own.”
“I did. It’s fine. He’s pretty persistent, but he also seemed to handle the rejection well.”
Donovan didn’t want to smile, but he couldn’t help it. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
“Why are you grinning like the Cheshire cat?”
Heat flushed his face. “Sibling rivalry. I swear, I come home and I turn into a bratty teenager. My brother wants to do something and I immediately start formulating a plan to stop him.”
“Interesting. I’m an only child, so not sure I get that.”
“It’s the same thing with my mom. Whatever she says, I want to rebel.”
Lela nodded. “Now,thatI get. I’m like that when I go home to Wisconsin.” She looked back at the house. “Although if I had such opulent digs to return to, I might find a way to be a bit more agreeable.”
“How are your parents?” Donovan had met Deb and Ben once, during Lela’s sophomore year when they came to visit the city for a weekend. They seemed very concerned with every little thing Lela did, which Donovan found endearing. He couldn’t imagine having that much attention from a parent, let alone two.
“They’re good. They’re actually coming to visit soon. I have to get psyched up for that, but it’s mostly just a meal or two every day and some touristy activities. Dad’s allergic to cats so they always stay in a hotel.”
Donovan side-stroked to the steps and climbed out of the pool, grabbing his towel from the chaise next to Lela. “You have to mentally prepare for them showering you with affection?”
“Yes. It sometimes feel like I’m being smothered. But I can’t say anything. I’m their only child. It’s not hard to imagine why they’re like that.”
Donovan sat next to her, tossing the towel on to another chair and leaning back, propping himself up with both arms. “Genevieve was really worried about Echo being an only child. She was sure she’d end up being spoiled, but I think that’s just a myth. You’re not self-centered and neither is Echo.”
“Echo is wonderful. I can’t imagine a more generous person. You must be so proud of her.”
It was such an understatement, but he couldn’t think of a way to express the bounds of his pride in his daughter. Not just in her success, but in the woman she’d become. She was a free spirit, strong, someone who lived in her own skin, didn’t take no for an answer, and refused to let other people define her. She was everything he’d always wanted to be but never quite got there. “She’s the best thing I ever did. Unfortunately, I can’t take much credit.”
