Page 95 of Destiny

I lead him back up the staircase to my apartment where I’ve already set his place at the table.

I pour him a cup of coffee and set it down next to his plate.

He takes a seat. “Thank you.”

I sit down next to him, in front of the plate where my lone croissant sits.

Brendan brings a forkful of scrambled eggs to his mouth, chews, swallows.

I just stare at him.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say.

“I’m sorry too, baby. We’re both going through a lot right now, but we’re going to be okay.”

I nod. “Thank you for that. I need it.”

“I need it too.” He puts down his fork, picks up his croissant, and takes a bite. The dough flakes, and light crumbs scatter to his plate.

“What did you need to see Donny about?”

“The Steel Trust has called its lien on the property.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Nobody else seems to either, baby. Donny and your uncles don’t even know what the Steel Trust is.”

“Who got in contact with you?”

“Some law firm in Denver.”

“How much?” I ask.

“More than I’ve got.”

More than he’s got. I’ve got the world. I don’t want to touch my trust fund, but if I can help Brendan…

“I can handle that.”

“You?”

“I have a trust fund. I’ve been able to access it since I turned twenty-one. I just haven’t. That amount is a drop in the bucket for me, Brendan. I’d like to take care of this for you if you’ll let me.”

His lips curve downward into an angry frown. “Didn’t we just have this discussion, Ava? About your family paying my insurance claim? I don’t take charity.”

“This wouldn’t be charity, Brendan. This would be a gift. A gift from me to the man I love.”

His features soften then. “You’re so generous, baby. But I can’t take your money.”

“What if…”

“What ifwhat?”

“What if… What if we got married? Then it wouldn’t be my money. It would beourmoney.”

He drops his fork, and it clatters against the ceramic of his plate. “What?”

“For God’s sake, Brendan, don’t make me repeat it.”

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