and I can’t imagine not having them, I kind of picture everyone I meet with kids.
Except Hailey. She’s one of my closest friends, and I’m sure one day she’ll make a great mom…after she successfully adults on her own for a while. Successful being the key word there. I bet you’ll love her when you get here. She’s gorgeous, and fun, and doesn’t picture everyone she meets with kids.
Anyway, I bet you’d be a great dad. Brooding and tough, but also sneaking in Star Wars marathons on lazy weekends. I could absolutely picture it…if I could picture you. Yep, I’m still hankering for a picture.
I hope I managed to distract you for a few minutes. I hope you know how very sorry I am for your loss.
~ Ella
…
I stood at the window of the downtown Denver high-rise, looking out over the city. This definitely wasn’t a place I could set down roots. Two months in Telluride had taught me that concrete and I weren’t compatible in the long-term sense.
Plus, Denver didn’t have Ella.
It had been a week since our fight in the truck, and we’d been polite…even friendly. But that easygoing rhythm we’d always had was nowhere to be found. Not with everything hanging between us.
If I wasn’t careful, she’d realize I was in love with her, and then we’d be in even deeper shit.
I’d never had a woman prick my temper the way Ella did. Hell, I’d sworn at her. I’d also never had a woman I cared to see more than once or twice, or one who owned my soul the way she did. Of course I’d agree to whatever terms she had when it came to the adoption. Not just because I was desperate to save Maisie and protect Colt, but because I’d give Ella whatever she wanted if it simply made her smile.
And in return, she was giving me a family, as screwed up as the justification was. The kids would be mine, in every way that mattered to me. I could love them, protect them, make sure they had everything they needed. I’d get Maisie approved for every treatment and make sure Colt knew I had his back every day of his life. I’d prove myself to Ella, show up until she couldn’t doubt me ever again, and then I’d win her heart.
Until she finds out what you did.
Yeah. That. It didn’t matter how hard I tried to ignore it, my secret hung over my head like a guillotine.
At least the kids would be protected when Ella kicked me out. It wasn’t like she’d unadopt the kids or risk Maisie. This was the one way I could fulfill my promise to Ryan and placate my aching heart, knowing one day the past was going to catch up to me.
My cell phone dinged, and I swiped to open the message app.
DONAHUE: Updated papers are ready with new dates. You sure about this?
My fingers paused over the keys. I was sure that I wanted Maisie to live, and this was the only means to that end.
GENTRY: Yep. But it doesn’t mean I’m coming back.
DONAHUE: You keep telling yourself that.
I slid my phone into my pocket, not bothering to reply.
“Mr. Gentry,” a voice called out from behind me, and I turned around.
“Mr. Danbury,” I answered. So this was Jeff. He basically looked like an overgrown frat boy who’d been poured into his father’s suit. His hair was blond and slicked back, his eyes gray and calculating.
We shook hands, and I quickly took my seat across from him at the conference table, scared that I’d lose it and crush him for having touched Ella, let alone abandoning her and the kids.
The hell with him. He didn’t deserve her, and he sure as hell didn’t deserve them.
He adjusted his suit coat, and I did the same, unbuttoning the bottom button. At least Denver had good, fast tailors.
“So what can I do for you, Mr. Gentry?” he asked.
“I understand you’re the youngest junior partner at your firm.”
“I am. Just graduated law school as a matter of fact.”
“Perks of having a dad with his name on the wall?” I asked, motioning to the firm’s name.
His smile fell. Jeffy-boy didn’t like having his silver spoon brought up. Guys like him were all the same—they’d had their cushy lives handed to them, and they despised any speed bump that kept them from the prize. God knew he’d run right over Ella.
“I consider it part-ownership in the family business,” he said with a shrug.