Page 81 of Dreamboat

Georgie has worked hard to nail each word she utters since Dora is quick to point out when she doesn’t.

“Fiancé,” Georgie corrects herself before her sister has the chance.

Dora races over to her to pat her on the back. “You did it.”

Watching the two of them together has always made me wish I had a twin.

It hits me then. The realization that I may possibly be having twins suddenly washes over me.

I glance down at my flat stomach. It’s hidden beneath the light blue short-sleeve blouse I’m wearing.

“Are you okay, Delia?” Faith asks.

I look at her face. We’re sitting next to one another so I’m not surprised she noticed what must look like shock and awe on my face.

Twins run in my family. Roman and Matthew are identical, as are Dora and Georgie. As cute as two babies would be, I’m still getting used to the idea of having one.

“I’m good,” I assure her even though I don’t believe it myself.

Her hand darts out in search of mine. “You’re sure?”

I take it for a squeeze. “Positive.”

She nods, but I see skepticism in her blue eyes.

“I’ve been stretched thin because I’m the only vet who has had his feet firmly planted in this city lately.” He laughs. “Or at the least the only vet at Premier Pet Care who hasn’t had the chance to steal a few days out of Manhattan recently.”

I know all about what’s been happening at the clinic since his boss filled me in.

Carolyn had scheduled time off this past week for a short summer getaway with her boyfriend and her son. She started back at the clinic yesterday, which is when Donovan left for a conference in Boston.

“Donovan’s off to another veterinary conference?” Roman asks as he enters the room with a bottle of beer in his hand.

The rest of us, including Dora and Georgie, are indulging in a tropical fruit punch that Bianca prepared. After I took my first sip, I was hit with the reminder of my time on the cruise since the punch had the same coconut and pineapple notes as some of the alcoholic drinks I indulged in while I was on vacation.

It’s virgin everything for me in terms of beverages for the foreseeable future.

Matthew lets out a low chuckle. “Sure he is.”

That doesn’t sit right with me but before I can question him on it, Dora announces that she’s going to draw a picture for her little brother. Georgie follows her out of the room as they head to the art station set up in their bedroom.

“So, is your boss at a conference or not?” Roman laughs.

Matt shrugs. “Maybe this time he is.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

That catches Faith’s attention enough that she turns to look at me. Her gaze studies my face until her fiancé’s voice draws her eyes back to him.

“He leaves New York on the regular,” he explains. “A couple of months ago he took a secret vacation for about a week.”

That tracks since I was on that secret vacation with him.

“Whenever there’s a conference in Boston, he jumps at the chance to go.” Chuckling, he shakes his head. “Carolyn wanted in on the one happening this week, but Donovan wouldn’t even hear of it. He insisted that he needed to be the one representing the clinic.”

“He does own the clinic,” Roman points out. “You can’t fault the man for wanting to be the face of the business he’s built.”

“You’re right.” Matt nods. “That would hold a hell of a lot more weight if he actually showed up at the conference.”

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