Slowly, Kels nodded. And she began to talk.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The knock on the door startled her. It was early and Rowan was still sipping coffee. Bagel hopped over to see who’d decided to visit.
“I need to talk to you.”
Everett stood before her with an odd intensity beating from his aura. Dressed in his black suit and red tie—today looked like Michael Kors—he seemed to vibrate with energy. “Of course,” she said, stepping aside.
Bagel gave him a judgy, unblinking stare, then hopped away.
Last night, he’d called to let her know he had a long talk with Kelsey and they were spending the evening together. Relief was sweet. She’d been worried about the girl and afraid she wouldn’t tell Everett, putting Rowan in a tough position. It was like they were all approaching a ticking time bomb with the opening and things were falling apart.
Or together. Depended on the perspective.
“How did things go with Kelsey?” she asked, heading to the kitchen. She poured him a mug, which he took gratefully. “I’m glad you both had time together.”
“It was overdue.” He sipped the brew. “I’m glad she opened up with you. Not sure what would’ve happened without your support.”
Rowan touched his arm and smiled. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to another woman, or a nonfamily member. I’m so happy she told you everything. It must’ve been hard for both of you.”
He gave a sharp nod. “It was, but I feel like we had a breakthrough. I had no idea she was getting bullied and didn’t want to go to thatprivate school. I just kept trekking along, thinking everything was fine and it was simple teen drama. I have to learn to get better at listening, Rowan. But meeting you this summer changed me.”
She blinked. His words were strong but held the odd feeling of an announcement rather than a quiet admission. “You did the same for me,” she murmured.
He put down his mug and grasped her shoulders. Tilting her head back, Rowan gazed into his dark eyes, gripped with a firm intention and deliberate action. She wondered why she suddenly felt like a goal to conquer, but pushed the weird thought from her mind.
“I love you. So does Kelsey. I don’t want to do this without you.”
A sigh spilled from her lips. “I love you, too, both of you, and—”
“Come to New York with me.”
Shock barreled through her. Since they confessed their feelings, there hadn’t been time to discuss the mechanics of their situation, or what would come next. His question was more a demand, laced with an implacable focus that reminded her of the man she’d first met on the beach.
“You want me to live with you in New York?” she asked faintly, trying to get her bearings.
“Yes. Can you picture it, Rowan? The three of us together and starting a new life? I’m sure I’ll get the promotion and I’ll be making a ton of money, so you don’t have to work. We’ll get Kelsey into a new school that better fits her and you can take the time to figure out what you’d like to do. No restrictions. I know you’ll miss everyone here but we can visit on vacation. What do you think?”
Her head spun. In a way, it was a dream come true. Everett saw a future with her, one that included a permanent love story. Wasn’t this the magical glass slipper fantasy? Some rich guy who loved her wanted to sweep her away, spoil her rotten, and make her his queen? She’d never been to New York but had seen pictures and heard stories painting it as a dynamic, thriving cultural center.
Yet . . .
Something felt off. Rowan tried to catch up and sift through his words. “It sounds amazing,” she finally answered. “But, Everett, there’s a lot to think about. I can’t just leave my life here and fly back with you and Kelsey.”
“Why not?” His grin was wide and encouraging. “Sweetheart, I was up all night going over our options, and it kept coming back to one thing. You. You’re the missing piece and I don’t want to be without you. Neither does Kelsey. And I know it seems fast, but it also feels right. I want it all with you.”
Rowan stepped back, suddenly needing space. He was right. She didn’t want to be without him, either. He continued, voice deeply persuasive. “Think about it. You’ve finally healed. You’re back in the water and got on a board. You’re back with Lea and your friends. It’s almost as if you needed to tie up all these loose ends so you can be free to come home with me.”
She wondered why she wasn’t jumping up and down. Wasn’t this what she wanted? “What about if you get this new job? You’ll be traveling a lot, right?”
“Yes, but you and Kelsey can be together! And on breaks, you can come with me.”
“But I won’t be living near the ocean. Or be able to surf regularly.”
“No, but I’ll make sure we take enough vacations so we can all surf. And if you don’t like my place, we’ll get a new one. Anything you want, and you can decorate it and make it what you want.”
“My house . . .”
