Page 43 of An Heir For Her Enemy

“I’m so sorry.” Cora took Delaney’s hand. “You know I’m always here for you. I’ll help with anything you need. You do know that, right?”

“I know. I just can’t stop myself from wishing that Logan felt the same way.” Delaney glanced at her phone again. “Sorry, I should check that. It could be from a client.”

“Yeah, go for it. Although I thought you were done with clients, now that you have enough money to start a gallery.”

“I’m almost done. I’m just finishing out a few contracts.” Delaney tapped on the email. She skimmed in, then read it again more slowly. Her heart began to race.

“What is it?” Cora leaned forward. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I haven’t, but this is almost more surprising.” Delaney handed the phone to her friend. “It’s from Marco Vassallo, the collectorwe met in Rome.After his success sellingThe Cherished Infant,he’s looking to value and sell the other art left for him by his grandfather.”

“‘Dear Delaney,’” Cora read out loud. “‘Blah blah blah, nice meeting you in Rome… Appreciated your work and your professionalism…’ — That does sound like you, Delaney… ‘Looking for an art consultant such as yourself to help value my other paintings…’ Wait. Delaney. Is he offering you a job?”

“He is.” Delaney nodded, taking the phone back. “See? He says I can start as soon as I want and that he’ll cover visa fees and housing for me. The salary isn’t too shabby, either. This could be just what I need.” Excitement bubbled up in Delaney for the first time since she’d left Rome.

“Okay, okay, hold on.” Cora raised both hands as though she were calming a wild horse. “It’s exciting that you got an offer, but I think you might be missing the fact that this job is inRome.”

“I’m not missing that.” Delaney got to her feet and began to pace. “That’s what’s so perfect about it! I could get out of New York. There’s much less of a chance that I’ll run into Logan if I live in Rome!”

“Right…” Cora was starting to look worried. Her hands were still raised in the horse-taming position. “But Delaney, you’re pregnant. Is this really the best time to leave your whole support system behind and move to another country where you don’t even speak the language?”

“They have hospitals in Italy. And babysitters, and Italian classes. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay… And just to point this out, you’ve always wanted to open a gallery, not become a personal consultant to some rich guy.You finally have enough money to make your dreams a reality. Why would you throw that away to go value art?”

“Cora.” Delaney knelt on the bed beside her friend. “Don’t you get it? As much as I want to open a gallery, now is clearly not the time. How would I manage the pressure of running a brand-new gallery while raising a newborn on my own? Yes, this isn’t exactly my dream job, but it’ll give me a chance to start over, plus more flexible working hours while I raise my child.”

“I just…” Cora shook her head. “I’m worried. You’re talking like you’ve already accepted this job, but you only found out about it five minutes ago. Don’t you want to take some time to think it over?”

“Of course.” Delaney smiled reassuringly. “I’ll take some time. The whole day, even. Two, if you want. But I’m sure about this. I’ve always wanted to see more of Rome, and I need the chance to start over. I need a clean slate, for myself and for my baby. I can’t live my life always thinking that Logan might reach out. He won’t. I need you to support me in this.”

Cora bit her lip. “You’re my best friend and one of the smartest people I know. If this is really what you want, there’s no question of whether I’ll support you. I just want to make sure you’re going to think it through.”

“I will,” Delaney assured her. “Shall we have some bagels? I’d also go for some of that tea now.”

“Okay…” Cora fetched her the bagels and the paper cup. Delaney took a sip and wished she hadn’t. It was the same kind of tea she’d drunk in Italy; the kind Logan had gotten her each morning. She considered setting the cup aside but took anothersip instead. She was going to start over, without Logan. It was time to put her memories and worries aside.

Cora stayed for another hour or so. She and Delaney chatted about baby names and Cora’s work, both of them trying hard to keep things normal.

“I should get going,” Cora said eventually. “I have a few things I need to get done. Will you be all right here?”

“I will. Thanks again for coming.”

“Okay.” Cora got up and went to put her shoes back on. She hesitated by the door. “Delaney?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re going to email that Italian guy to accept the job as soon as I walk out this door, aren’t you?”

Delaney flushed. “Maybe.”

“Okay.” Cora nodded as though she were trying to convince herself. “I’m really going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too, but we’ll see each other again. It’s not like I’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Right. See you later, Delaney. And be careful.”

Delaney raised her hand in a wave. “I will.”

---