I try to say the words. But the words feel wrong. I should have brought Asher with me, even if it's painful knowing he is going to die. It would be easier if he were in my arms and Dane could see his face.
It would be so obvious, so crystal clear he's his father. Tomorrow, I can bring Asher to him and show him his son. At least this way he will die knowing he has a legacy.
"I have to go. Trust me. Tomorrow my whole day is yours. I promise. But I have to go do something right now," I say as he crosses his arms in frustration. "Don't be angry with me. I promise, when I see you again it will make sense. You will be so happy. You'll be so..." I stop because maybe he won't be happy. Maybe this will kill him.
"Whatever you have to do, I understand. You don’t need to explain anything to me, Dottie. I’m just so glad we had today.”
I pull on my dress and reach for his hand. "I’ll be back, I swear.”
“You don’t owe me anything, Dottie. I feel so goddamn lucky to have had any time with you at all. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. My mother would have loved you.”
His words bring tears back to the surface. I wipe them away with the back of my hand. “Was she a good woman?”
He smiles softly, memories washing over him. “The best. You know, the day we met in Miami, was the anniversary of her and my father’s death. I was so sad that day, missing them. Then I saw you, wearing those big black sunglasses. My mom wore sunglasses like that. And it pulled me to you. I knew you were different. And I was right. Dottie, whatever happens next, know this, I will always treasure you.”
“This isn’t goodbye, Dane,” I tell him, my heart brimming with emotion. Dane may have had a colorful past, but my heart breaks over the fact that he can’t have an even brighter future.
“Until next time, then,” he says, pulling me in for a final kiss.
And with that, I slip out the door of his office, knowing when I return, I will change his life.
Chapter Ten
Dottie left a message, telling me tomorrow morning she wants to meet me at my house.
Of course, I want to spend the whole night with her, but I didn't fight her on it because I know it's more important for me to take care of myself. Doctor's orders. Especially, after the fuck fest today—I gave Dottie all I had to give, and I savored every moment of her body next to mine. Her pussy was as perfect as I remembered, and when she wrapped her mouth around my cock I thought I might drown in pleasure.
It's hard to sleep, I'm anxious and scared. And I toss and turn all night long, wishing that just one of those people who had been calling my office all day would've been my long-lost brother. Thomas left after the hit-and-run, and I haven’t seen him since. Most of the time, I'm glad a selfish fucker like him isn't in my life, but right now, for selfish reasons, I wish I had him back.
I'd do anything for a kidney. How was I supposed to know kidney disease had been passed down from my parents? My parents died when I was young and I know nothing about their medical history.
I hate that my brother left the way he did, and with him gone, there will be nothing left of the Westbrook name.
An entire family -- gone.
This last year taught me so much about what kind of man I could be. I know it's sick to dream about a life with Dottie... but I've imagined it so many times since the day we met. I imagine buying her a beautiful home, rooms full of laughter and our children. A life that is full of love. I won't get that fantasy, but I do get the honor of seeing her again. And that is more than I expected to get.
She says she's coming to my house after nine, and knowing that helps me fall asleep—a fucking miracle, all things considered. I'm glad she's coming here, I want her to see this place because after we made love all day yesterday, I called my lawyer and changed my will.
I'm leaving everything to her, every last dime. Every last cent.
I may not have told