Rogue Devil (The Rourkes #11) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,66

could do what she did? Graduate with highest honors in a double major in only three years from a top-notch university. It’s remarkable, she’s remarkable. I hope our kids take after her. That’s a while away, though. She’s got time. She’s twenty-one now with a new challenge ahead of her—Harvard Medical School. That’s right. She got in. I nearly cried with her when she got the news. All right, I did. A little. Emotions are so contagious.

I exchange a watery smile with Sara. “Our girl’s a freaking genius,” I whisper to her.

Sara beams. “I know! I’m so proud of her.”

The rest of the ceremony drags on. I’m anxious to get to Chloe to congratulate her. This school year hasn’t been too bad as far as seeing each other. We worked it out where I pick her up on Saturday night after she’s finished studying and take her back to my place to spend the night. We spend all day Sunday together. That’s her day off. A few times she studied a bit when she needed to, but I understood. I don’t mind as long as we’re together. Beast was nice enough to clear out to give us alone time on the weekends. He usually stays with Sean and Josie, who have a guest room.

I’m moving up to Massachusetts with her. It’s a sweet deal since we can stay in affordable med school student housing. We’ll have an apartment not far from campus. As for my job, well, it was tough to break the news to my brothers that I’d be leaving. I’m the only one who’s ever fully stepped away. Dylan left the door open for me to come back if Chloe and I end up settling in New York. For the near future, I’m starting my own contracting business flipping houses. I’m psyched because I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and it’s a job I can literally do anywhere. There’s always some run-down house in need of renovation. And I know how to spot a good investment thanks to the time I’ve spent scouting out properties for Rourke Management.

And guess who’s taking over scouting properties for me at my old job? It’s two people, actually, my dad and my sister-in-law Ariana. It’s a great fit for them since my dad has his real estate license and Ariana used to work for a real estate development company. She works from home, so she can have a flexible schedule with the baby. So I feel good about that too. My work continues to be in the family’s hands.

Finally, Chloe rejoins us. She beams. “I did it!”

Sara gets to her first, hugging her and crying. “You did! My brainiac sister. I’m so proud of you!” Chloe hugs her back, smiling at me over her sister’s shoulder.

The moment Sara lets her go, I pull Chloe into my arms. “Congratulations, graduate. I’m so proud of you too.” I frame her face with my hands and kiss her. “I’m in awe.”

She cups my jaw, stroking my beard. “Thank you, Bren. And thank you for being so patient with me this year.”

“Worth it.”

Adrian and Lindsey congratulate her next, and Chloe kisses Henry’s chubby cheek, exclaiming over how big he’s gotten.

We join the crowd filing out. Adrian arranged for a limo to take us to a fancy Italian restaurant for a celebratory lunch. The place was my choice because they have great tortellini and I want to remind Chloe of our first “date,” making tortellini together while trying to resist each other. I always knew that was a losing battle. Ha. So worth the month of torture just to get to know her better. She got into my heart. I have something special planned for Chloe at the restaurant too.

Chloe

We’re at a round table for six in a classy Italian restaurant for my graduation-day lunch. It’s me, Brendan, Sara, Adrian, Lindsey, and Henry in a high chair. I’m between Brendan and Henry. I have to soak in my nephew while I can. I love the little guy.

“I’m so glad to be out of my cap and gown,” I say. “It was getting hot under there.”

“You looked amazing,” Sara says. “Like a scholar.”

I smile. It’s a pretty great feeling to graduate after three years of hard work. I know I have four years of med school ahead of me, which isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination, but I have a break between now and then. Move-in day for med school is August second. This