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Myla didn’t say a word. The silence was filled with heaviness and the weight of unspoken thoughts.

Myla exhaled. “I know I shouldn’t have, but when Dante called and heard how broken I was, he asked me to tell him what was wrong, and I did. He didn’t try to fix my problems. He didn’t pass judgment. He just listened.”

Miranda shook her head again. “Listening and collecting information is all he could do.”

“Mimi, you’re acting like he’s some villain with a master plan.”

“I’m acting like he’s a stranger,” Miranda replied firmly.

“I honestly didn’t plan to tell him,” Myla admitted. “One moment I’m cursing Terry out, the next moment Dante’s calling, and I’m unleashing all of my trauma.”

Miranda glanced at the iPad that was still on the floor. She was beginning to think that maybe Myla’s New Year was indeed cursed.

“I’m not trying to be hard on you; I just don’t want the first guy you encounter on your first night out to be the cause of future heartbreak. All I want you to do is slow down. Don’t give someone you don’t know access to your broken pieces,” Miranda said sincerely.

“I can’t argue because you’re right. I did everything I would discourage my patients from doing. I knew better than to speak when I was emotional, but I did it anyway. I guess keeping things to yourself is an easier suggestion when it’s a suggestion for someone else.” Myla laughed humorlessly.

“Anyway, I need to get dressed. Dante wants to retrieve his jacket and offered to treat me to breakfast at his favorite breakfast spot to take my mind off the unfortunate events. Think I’m going to stop by the office afterward just to clear my head.” Myla threw the last lie in as a way to throw Miranda off her trail.

She knew that if she told her that Dante was coming to her home to pick her up, Miranda would lose her mind.

“Alright, we’ll talk later. Remember you’re not alone, Myla. I’m always here. Love you,” Miranda said as she disconnected the call.

Something in her core told her that Myla was not telling the entire truth, but she would not force her to tell her anything she wasn’t ready for. She would simply wait to see how things played out.

Looking at the clock, Myla’s eyes nearly leaped from the socket when she saw that she had twenty-five minutes to be ready before Dante arrived. She hadn’t showered or picked out a proper outfit.

I can’t believe I was on the phone that damn long, she thought as she rushed to find a pair of clean wool leggings and an oversized sweater. This wasn’t a date, so there was no need to pull out her best clothing.

Running into the bathroom, Myla froze when she heard her doorbell ring. The clock read 9:15. She still had fifteen minutes to get ready before Dante was supposed to arrive. Looking at the home security system app on her phone, Myla’s jaw hit the floor when she saw Dante. He had arrived early.

10

The sight before her left Myla speechless. A few moments ago, sorrow, heartbreak, and betrayal had brought tears to her eyes. The tears that were clouding her eyes now were for an entirely different reason. Dante stood before her, looking like everything right in the world.

Myla struggled not to stare; this man was uncomfortably attractive. He had the look and the aura that made men grab their wives’ hands when he walked by. The dim lights of Château Noir and the headlights didn’t come close to highlighting Dante Helgard’s spectacular appearance. Seeing him in the sunlight was the only way to appreciate the perfection that was Dante Helgard.

Myla’s face glowed when she saw the dozen long-stemmed roses, candy, and ‘CHEER UP’ balloons in his hand. She was speechless.

Dante could see the look of surprise and excitement on her face. He loved it.

“I know you may think I’m early, but I’m not. Arriving early for someone that you know is in distress, someone that you’d like to get to know better and see where the future takes you, is a sign of respect. Arriving ‘on time,’ a.k.a. late, is a sign of disrespect. These are for you. As I said, we’re going to change your view of New Year’s Eve and the new year,” Dante said as he handed Myla the balloons, candy, and roses.

More tears flooded her eyes. This time she could honestly say tears of joy, or happy tears, as Heaven called them when she was a little girl. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d received any gifts or tokens of appreciation from a man.

“Dante, thank you so much. I love these.” Myla blushed.

She was slightly embarrassed by her behavior. She was behaving like a girl who had spoken to her crush for the first time, instead of the woman and esteemed doctor that she was.

“This is so thoughtful. Come in, please. I’m so sorry that I’m not ready yet,” Myla apologized as she stepped aside, allowing him to enter.

Dante looked around, taking in every detail of Myla’s renovated split-level home. Walking into Myla’s home was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The foyer’s 2D design made it appear as though it had been drawn on a sketch pad. He was blown away.

“Myla, this is by far the most unique and exquisite home design I’ve ever seen. The tray ceiling, glass fireplace, epoxy-covered stone floors, and your foyer have me reconsidering commercial real estate. I forgot just how relaxing viewing homes can be,” Dante stated as he marveled at the unique home décor. “If you don’t mind me asking, which contractor and interior designer did you use for your renovations?”

Myla laughed. “I thought you were off today. I guess every day is a workday when you have a realtor’s eye,” Myla joked.

It was now Dante’s turn to blush. “You’re right, I apologize. My grandmother used to say when you love what you do, it’s not work. She wasn’t lying. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been infatuated with houses and buildings.”