Page 24 of Handsome
Attention wasn’t something I understood butthe way he gazes at me… damn. I’d never be able to walk away.I looked down and said, “I’m in over my head with you.”
“Just take it one day at a time.”
Right. He said that like he had no idea it was him that I’d be addicted to so entirely, not things. I could live without a lot, but my intense awareness of him set me off in entirely new ways. I massaged the back of my neck and said, “That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Good. Then get some sleep because we have a full day tomorrow.”
I got to my feet and took the phone. and since Cyrus had rocked the baby to sleep, I could hear him in my room if he needed me.
I was on my way out when I paused and said, “You’re a true gentleman, Cyrus. Good night.”
“Good night,” he said.
As I left, I wondered who I’d be if I had his family, his security, and his love. I winced at the word. I’d never have that, but I’d never had a goal of my own except to be honest. If I did, though, I’d never be sure who I’d become because, unlike him, I hadn't been given a family who stood by me the way his clearly did.
9
Cyrus
The sun was bright outside my windows, which meant it was morning.
I checked the baby monitor and saw Joshua wasn’t in his bed. However, I heard Sarah cooing at him, and she made me smile.
My son had a good woman in his life already. I rose and cleaned myself up. Today I would whisk her away to my island, so we’d have a chance to connect—without interruptions.
So I grabbed my cotton pants and T-shirt since we were spending the day on the high seas once she cleared everything up on her end.
As I was about to head out, my phone rang. I answered, “Good morning, Warren, I wasn’t expecting a call.”
I brushed my short hair for a second time while Warren said, “Well I figured later on today you’d be too busy, so I'd better bug you now.”
I stopped and glanced out the window as I asked, “What’s going on?”
“I passed my general contracting license test.”
His plan was to leave the family to find out what he might have become if Maman hadn’t adopted him. My family would be heartbroken if he left us, so I asked, “So it’s official? You’re leaving Wall Street to fix people’s houses?”
“No. Not right now. I’m going to finish working on a merger deal to follow the numbers, but I was wondering what you've decided to do about the hospital and work?”
My gut twisted. We were both dealing with regrets, but mine were more about spending a big chunk of my life getting to be a doctor and not enjoying it. It wasn’t enough to quietly walk away, but I rubbed the back of my head and said, “I don’t know. I was so focused on getting Joshua, and now he’s mine.”
“So we’re both at a crossroads, but unlike me, you now have a woman.”
A quick laugh escaped me. I hadn't expected that. I rubbed the back of my neck and said, “Sarah’s not mine.”
“If you want her, do something fun. I liked that you were dancing because it brought out a new you.”
Last year this conversation led to my initiation into dancing, but it ended badly. Now Warren's insight hit deeper than my gut.
Maybe he was right, and I needed to show Sarah we could be lighter. Unlike the rest of my brothers, "going with the flow" never worked for me, and I felt safer when I planned everything out.
When eleven different men all point out the flaw, it’s time to accept it.I let out a sigh and said, “Fun was never my goal, but you’re right. Talk to you later, Warren, and congrats.”
“For what?”
My heart was pounding, just knowing I’d see Sarah in a moment, but I took the time to tell Warren, “For taking the steps to change your life.”
“It might be nothing in the end, which is why we’re not tellingMamanandPedar.”
