Page 85 of Dreamboat

Shocked by what she just said, I look toward where Donovan is still standing in the doorway to his home. “He said that?”

“That man loves you,” she whispers. “I’ve seen love before and he’s got it bad for you.”

I didn’t know how badly I want that to be the truth until I realized that Donovan might be out there looking for more fun than I can give him.

She nudges my elbow. “The pizza isn’t bad either.”

I laugh. “I’ll try a piece.”

“Leave a review on our website,” she calls after me as she heads toward her car. “Five stars are always appreciated.”

As soon as she’s back behind the steering wheel, I look at Donovan.

“The pizzas getting cold, Delia,” he says. “If you’re not in the mood for that, I can give you some berries or pickles and ice cream.”

Smiling, I shake my head. “Pizza will hit the spot.”

“Let’s get inside.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “I really need to put on a shirt.”

“Do you really need to?” I question as I reach the bottom of the steps.

He huffs out a deep laugh. “If you prefer me this way, I’m good with it.”

I take the steps quickly until I’m right in front of him. “Ignore the fact that my dress is covered in black hairs.”

He squints to try and see them against the dark blue fabric of my dress. “Should I ask what you’ve been up to while I’ve been gone?”

That opens the door for me to ask a very similar question, so I do, “Should I ask what you’ve been up to since you’ve been gone?”

His gaze locks on mine. “You should, Delia. I want you to.”

Surprised by that, I nod. “I will.”

He steps aside to grant me access to his home. “You were at the animal shelter visiting old Ralph, weren’t you?”

Nodding, I step inside the foyer. “I spent most of today there.”

“I spent most of today thinking about you,” he admits as he shuts the door behind me.

I stop mid-step to turn toward him. “Is that all you did today?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I didn’t just think about you, Delia. I worried endlessly about you.”

My silence was necessary for my own peace of mind. I had to think. I had to plan and I had to weigh every scenario that was racing through my head since I saw Matthew last night and he blurted out his suspicions about his boss.

“Pizza first and then we’ll talk?”

He considers my request before he nods slowly. “That works for me.”

I kick off my sandals and start walking toward his kitchen, knowing he’s right behind me every step of the way.

I want to clear my conscience before I question him about where we stand, so I do just that without any warning, “I’ve been offered a job in Paris.”

He stops mid chew. “What?”

I skim a fingertip over the empty plate in front of me.

I wanted to eat the pizza straight from the box, but Donovan grabbed two small plates from the cupboard, white linen napkins, and then poured two glasses of chilled water.

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