“I’m so sorry.” My heart aches imagining Enzo, silently watching the woman he loved for years while she fell for his chosen brother. “I’m sorry you lost your first love.”

“Ancient history. I’ve lost a lot of things. But to answer your question, I know what it’s like to develop…” He almost chokes on the next word. “Feelingsfor someone. To want someone. But the life I wanted with Miranda is long gone. I’m never going to be young and married and raising a family, a whole career ahead of me.”

I shake my head. “You’re not too old for anything, Enzo. Not if you want it.”

He frowns. “I am.” I hear his own boundary there, loud and clear.

Enzo has put that part of his life behind him. I’m not looking for a picket fence and 2.5 kids either, but something in me wriggles, fighting back against his declarations and my acceptance of them.

Who says a guy like him and a guy like me couldn’t get hitched and raise a family? I’m sure we’d make amazing fathers.

Weight of his memories heavy on his shoulders, he squeezes my hand back and stands. “I know what I want. I want you to stay here. Work with me because I need the help, and because you’re good, and because it’s hard as fuck to find someone I like. And I want to keep messing around with you, too, but I won’t demand it. I won’t demand anything. The offer stands. Take your time to decide.”

I stand to join him and brush a kiss across his lips. He’s shared more with me than I expected, and he’s firm about what he wants.

It doesn't simply build trust. Talking like that is hot, too. A man who can clearly communicate his feelings is just so sexy.

“Thank you for telling me your story, Enzo.”

He grunts, and I hear everything in the sound. His appreciation. His hurt. His longing.

And I know right then and there: I’m going to stay.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

ENZO

Early in the afternoon,I sit on a bench in the gym, feet planted flat as I pump through my bicep curls. My muscles burn like they haven’t in weeks, and sweat pours down my back.

Feels good, almost like I’m young again. Only an occasional twinge up my back and that aching pain in my chest to remind me I’m firmly middle-aged.

My arm screams, but I keep pushing. I’ve already finished the training Reggie prescribed me. He came up with a good plan, but it’s not enough. I need to get my ass in gear faster. A week after I asked Damian to stay, I swear, he’s as invested in my workouts as I am. Can’t be five minutes late without him singing outside my window to hurry me along.

Went to the bank a few days ago. Investments fine, but I’m hemorrhaging money with my expenses. Hiring Damian isn’t cheap. I fix everything around the house myself, but keeping a place like this is still costly.

Vet bills. Fertilizer for the garden. Whiskey.

Everything’s fucking pricey.

My brain latches onto the fact: I need to fight again. I focus like I’m in the ring, and everything else disappears.

Makes it possible to forget there’s no great match waiting on the other side. My best offer is still an insult from Buck.

Just need to get strong enough. Then I’ll figure it out. I’ll win some prizes and afford to keep Damian here. Pay for whatever he needs, even if he decides to go to school and start a life without me.

Said he likes me, but he’s not declaring his love. Don’t know what to make of that.

I throw the weights to the ground and suck in a desperate breath.

When I think about Damian's future, a hurricane moves through me, but I don’t care. Not my job to tell him what to do with his life. He wouldn’t let me boss him around if I tried. He’s a fucking goof sometimes, but he’s got integrity. Confidence. Does things his own way.

Strong man. I hope I can be strong enough, too.

As I’m pushing my body to the limit, I hear Damian’s laugh, the musical notes sounding out from the garden. Petunia immediately goes running out the gym towards him, her paws sliding on the hard floor. Mirabelle and Goldie look at me, uncertain.

“Go the fuck on,” I tell them, and they do.

It’s not just Damian’s voice. His friend Nico is here, too, both talking excitedly while Damian introduces the dogs. I wipe the sweat off my face with a terrycloth towel and catch my breath.