Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
His smile was hot enough to make me melt as his gaze drank me in. “Be right back.”
“Don’t bother to offer me a drink,” Nuala commented with a tut as Derek went in the direction of the bar area. He turned to her, walking backwards, “I’ll bring you back a chardonnay.”
“Thank you!” she shouted at him before directing her attention to me. “Something’s different between you two.”
“What do you mean?” My pulse spiked because I knew exactly what she meant. Only a couple weeks ago, her brother had ignored my very existence. Now he looked at me like he was constantly thinking about pulling me into his arms and ravishing me. And yes, it was just as tingle inducing as it sounded.
“Well, he’s talking to you for a start. He also seems so much calmer lately, not to mention he’s quit drinking an entire bottle of whiskey three times a week and dodging his barber. It’s like he’s started making a real effort again in all areas of his life.”
Nearby, Aidan and Tristan were busy chatting up two leggy brunettes who must’ve either been models or actresses because they had that glossy sheen about them that marked them as famous people. I was completely out of the loop about celebrities, so I didn’t recognise them.
“I think that’s more because of your dad’s health scare and how he’s now had to take over running all the hotels,” I said to Nuala.
“The improvements were happening a while before all that. And anyway, I’ve seen how you two have been looking at one another. I mean, I always saw it, even back when we were teenagers, but I never wanted to embarrass you by pointing it out.”
“No qualms about pointing it out now, though,” I replied wryly.
Nuala laughed and laced her fingers with mine. “Oh, Milly, life is too short. We all have to face our real feelings sooner or later.” She studied me for a moment before continuing, “What Gigi said back in the car, about Derek and Paloma, don’t let it mess with your head. My brother was always dutiful in his marriage, but I know him better than anyone, and I saw how he was never completely happy with her. He got two incredible kids out of the relationship, but there was a point where he and Paloma diverged. They inevitably wanted different things, and I know for a fact that Derek will never go back to her. He’s still fond of her as the mother of his children, but as far as romance goes, no, that won’t be happening.”
My lip quivered because Nuala was being so kind saying that to me, but I was still worried about opening myself up to him. It had been a while since I’d been in a relationship. I’d been so focused on raising Deirdre and dedicating myself to my career. I hadn’t been in the headspace to truly fall for the handful of boyfriends I’d had over the years. But with Derek, not falling was impossible. I was already in too deep. I also worried how Gigi might react to her father seeing someone who wasn’t her mother when it was clear she yearned for them to get back together.
“I’m still terrified,” I whispered to her, and she squeezed my hand.
“That’s how you know it’s real,” she said before Derek returned with our drinks.
“Thank you,” I murmured as he handed me the gin and tonic, our fingers brushing and causing a spark of awareness to rush through me. His expression sobered as he studied me, “Are you okay?” Clearly, he’d noticed how his sister’s words had affected me. There was a lot going on inside my head.
“I’m fine.”
He didn’t look convinced, but then his phone buzzed with a text, distracting his attention. I watched as a slow smile spread across his face, and then he held his phone out for Nuala to read. Her eyes quickly scanned the message before she burst into a delighted squeal. “Oh, my goodness!”
“What’s going on?” I asked, perplexed, before Derek explained. “Rhys just texted me. Charli went into labour about an hour ago.”
“I’m going to get to cuddle a newborn soon,” Nuala cheered. “I can’t wait.”
“What’s all this about a newborn?” Tristan asked, Nuala’s excitement having garnered his and Aidan’s attention.
“Charli’s having her baby,” Nuala explained. “She’s gone into labour.”
“Oh, score! If it’s a boy, they better name him after me,” Tristan joked while Nuala rolled her eyes.
“If it’s a boy, they’re naming him after Rhys’ uncle, Eugene, and if it’s a girl, they’re naming her after Aunt Nadine.”
Nuala had once confided in me how her Aunt Nadine had died right after Charli was born and that Charli had grown up never knowing who her real birth mother was. It had all come out when she was eighteen. Apparently, it was a tough time for the entire family.