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“But we need you. I need you. You can’t abandon us, too.”
“I’m not abandoning you, Lily.”
“You are. You’re as bad as he is.” Lily’s tears began to fall, but Dylan didn’t pull her into his arms. He’d had enough.
“No, Lily. I’m not as bad as he is. I’ve been here for you every time, all the time. And I’m here now, even though I should be with someone else.”
“But I love you.”
There it was. Lily’s declaration hung in the air between them. “I know.” He took her hand and spoke gently. “And I’m flattered. Any man would be glad to have you.”
Lily’s tears stilled. “Just not you.” She sniffed and straightened.
“Not me.” He patted her hand. “But you already knew that, really, didn’t you? It would never work for us. You’re the sister I never had.”
Lily managed a wan smile. “I still love you.”
“And I love you. Just not like that.”
“Okay.” Her sniveling stopped. She had known what his answer would be, that much was obvious. She’d just wanted to give it one last go.
“Anyway, I’m too busy for anyone.” The words were a revelation to Dylan. It was true, he was busy all the time, and if that was the case, what was he doing with Michaela?
Lily gave him a long look. “Is that what you really want?”
Dylan stared up at his sister–in-law and shook his head.
“That woman you brought here. Michaela? You really like her, don’t you?”
Hearing her name made Dylan’s skin tingle. Yes. Yes, he really liked Michaela Western.
“Well, stop being so busy then. No one’s making you. The company has ruled your life forever. Do something about it.”
“Easier said than done.” He sighed.
She put her hands on her hips. “Did you enjoy being on that cruise ship?”
“Sure.” He laughed. “Who wouldn’t?”
“I mean the dancing. Isn’t that what you always wanted to do?” Her tone became authoritarian, entirely the sister he’d just told her she was. “There’s a movie being shot in Sydney. A music hall thing. Go audition. If you don’t get in, never mind. But if you do…”
“Maybe.” Dylan looked at his watch. “Are you going to be okay?”
Lily sighed. “I coped for ten years without Brian ever really being here.”
“I meant about us.”
She shrugged. “I had to give it a shot. I’ll talk to you later. I’m fine. We’ll be fine.” Taking the empty plate, she walked back to the kitchen.
Maybe he should give the audition a shot. Dylan pulled out his cell and scrolled back through the calls he’d had yesterday until he found the country code he was looking for. It was the call that had interrupted him and Michaela last night. The offer he’d dismissed out of habit, but which probably warranted closer attention. His lawyer, Jeremy, had even e-mailed him about the caller and his company this morning.
After a short conversation, he called his secretary. “Can you get me and Jeremy on the next plane to Singapore? I’ll need a hotel for a night, too. And move my meetings for the next couple of days.”
Dylan thought of spending time in Singapore without Michaela and felt a tug in his chest. It was just for a couple of days. A couple of days that could change everything.
…
Dylan stopped by the office on his way back from the airport. His head still spun from his whirlwind of meetings in Asia. Flicking through the contracts he’d gone over and over on the plane, he couldn’t quite believe what he was looking at. “Freedom.”
He shut the file. “And it was so easy.”
When Michaela had suggested it, she’d made it sound so simple. Sell the company. Sever his ties, and live a different life. The life he wanted. Simple and logical, just like being with her.
“A new partner.” He still couldn’t quite believe it was possible—and so quickly. There were still a number of details to sort out, but it was more than possible. The decision had been made. The Board had already approved it. Because the Singapore company had been looking for a while, all the due diligence was finalized. McCrays would get a new partner and a bunch of new executives.
This week, the world had become a place where Dylan got to choose his destiny.
After scanning through the messages from his secretary, Dylan turned to his private office line. He hardly gave out the number to anyone, and now that his mother and Brian were gone, he pretty much ignored it. His secretary diverted any important business calls to his cell. A flashing light indicated he had a message. He played it back.
Um, hi. I really need to talk to you. God, this is awkward. He smiled at Michaela’s voice. I really wanted to tell you this in person. But you’re so busy, I…well, I hope you really are used to me, because I’m pregnant. I can’t believe I said that out loud. Just call me, will you?
Pregnant!
A child. Their child. He was going to be a father.
How? His thoughts flashed back to Vanuatu. They’d been careful, except that first time. He’d been so caught up in the moment, in their mutual desire…
Dylan’s smile faded as a hand squeezed his heart. Just when he’d got himself free of commitments. “How did this happen?”
Perhaps you’re asking the wrong question. It’s not how, it’s why.
“Maybe it’s one of those things that’s meant to be.”
Dylan saw his current life stretched out clearly in front of him. The long hours, the fear of commitment, the fear of marriage—all of it was about trying to avoid being like his brother and father. But he wasn’t a bit like either of them. He’d fallen into the same workaholic patterns since he’d come back, all that time on the ship undone in a few short days.
“Not anymore.” He still got to choose his own destiny, and he needed Michaela to be a part of it.
To think he’d first decided to pursue her as a challenge. “And instead she’s been the one to challenge me. To challenge everything I thought I knew.” He smiled when he thought about all the changes that had clicked into place over the last few days.
Looking at the photograph of his mother on his desk, the smile drooped a little. “I’m sorry you never got to meet Michaela,” he said to his mother. “I think you would have got on really well. I know we didn’t talk about me going back to dancing. But all this money and success was never really me. I only did it to please you. Stupid, hey? I wish we’d talked about this earlier, I know you would have understood. Don’t worry, though, I’ll make you proud.”
