The Man Who Has No Sight - Victoria Quinn Page 0,60
I said. “But I’ll still miss you.” I pulled him into my arms and held him tightly, feeling his heartbeat against my body, feeling the little boy who was half me. Most people would probably enjoy a break from fatherhood and a trip outside the country, but I wasn’t excited at all. I loved being home with Derek. I loved coming home to Cleo every night. I used to be so independent, but now I had developed this strong sense of codependency with Cleo, which was remarkable considering my hermit-like qualities. I kissed his forehead. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Dad.” He pulled away.
I rose to my feet then looked at Cleo. For some inexplicable reason, it was just as difficult to say goodbye to her as my own flesh and blood. The bracelet I gave her was on her wrist, her father’s watch on mine. My heart ached as I looked at her, feeling terrible for jetting off somewhere when all I really wanted was to be home with her.
She wore a smile, putting on a brave face to make my departure easier, but I knew it was hard for her, knowing I would spend a week with a woman who was obviously attracted to me. And Cleo would miss me every single moment until I returned. “Have a good time.” She moved into me and hugged me tightly. “Everyone will love your presentation.”
“Thanks…” I squeezed her waist as I pressed my face into her neck, inhaling her scent for the last time. I wished I could take her with me.
She pulled away, still smiling. “Send us lots of pictures.”
I loved her more because she was trying so hard to keep this casual, like it wasn’t really a goodbye even though it was. “I love you.”
Her eyes couldn’t keep up the stoic expression anymore, and they softened. “I love you too.”
I cupped her face and gave her a kiss. “I’ll call you every day.”
“You don’t need to do that, Deacon. I know you’re busy—”
“I need to talk to you every day. Otherwise, I’ll lose my mind.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead and gave her a final squeeze before I stepped back and grabbed my luggage.
She placed her hand on Derek’s shoulder and stood with him, bringing him close into her side. “I’ll take good care of your son, Deacon.”
I had no doubt about it. “I know you will.” I turned and walked out the double doors into the freezing cold.
My driver hopped out, opened the door for me to get inside, and then lifted my luggage into the trunk.
I looked out the tinted windows and saw Cleo and Derek standing there together, looking at the car even though they couldn’t see me. Derek was talking, looking up at Cleo occasionally, like he was saying something pretty long-winded.
She smiled but kept looking at me.
When the car pulled away, I held up my hand to wave even though she couldn’t see me.
But she waved back…like she could.
After a long international flight and a drive from the airport, we checked in to the hotel where the conference was being held. I reverted to my usual coldness the second I was away from my family. Subtly hostile, constantly annoyed, and just generally unpleasant, I was an asshole again. Maybe I was just cranky from the long flight and the ordeal of travel, but I knew that wasn’t the reason.
We said goodbye and headed to our rooms.
I got a big suite just because I preferred to have lots of space. I lifted my suitcase onto the rack in the walk-in closet and opened it, eager to put on something clean after taking a shower.
But Cleo had left me a gift.
It was a picture of the three of us in front of the Christmas tree that Patricia had taken of us. My arm was around Cleo, and Derek stood in front of us, both of us having a hand on his shoulder.
She also wrote a note.
Deacon,
Can’t wait to see you when you get back.
-Your family, Cleo and Derek.
I stared at the picture for a while, a smile on my lips. It was the pick-me-up I needed, a bandage to cover the wound. I carried it to the nightstand and placed it there so it could sit beside my bed for the week.
It was the middle of the night there and the morning here, but I texted her anyway, so she would see it when she woke up. I made it to the hotel.