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My shoulders sank. “I’m sorry.”
“No, Daisy. I’m sorry.” Flynn placed his cutlery on the plate. “I didn’t know what pushing him away would do to you. To the both of you. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own shit I didn’t see what was evolving between you two. I should have. Dad predicted it years ago.”
My stomach flipped. “What did Dad predict?”
Flynn ran his hands through his wet hair. “When Ethan refused to be adopted, he had this theory that you were the reason. It gave him peace knowing that. He figured he’d join the family one way or another.”
I swallowed back the growing lump in my throat. “He really said that?”
“Mom too.” Flynn smiled at the bittersweet memory. “I used to hear them giggle every time you fought. I didn’t think much of it back then, but now, I see it too.”
“So…” My brow furrowed. “You think they would approve?”
“Daisy, how could they not? They loved you both. I love you both.”
I lowered my gaze, processing so many emotions. “But what if we don’t make it?”
“You’re playing those cards right now…” Flynn picked up his knife and fork and continued eating. “How’s that working out for you?”
I closed my eyes with a grimace, wishing I’d done things differently. “I should’ve asked him to stay.”
“You did the right thing, Daisy. Ethan needed to take that job. He needs to know what he’s capable of.”
“Do you think he knows now?”
“Go find out. You’re on the red-eye tonight.”
I drew a deep breath, trying to slow my pounding heart. “What if he doesn’t want to come back?”
“Then you have a decision to make.”
“But this is our home.” I panned my gaze around the living room. So empty without him.
“Ethan is your home, Daisy. This house is merely a location.”
His beautiful words wrapped around my heart and pulled me toward my bedroom. “Will you feed Smudge?” I asked, now filled with packing anxiety.
“Of course I will.” Flynn chuckled before taking another bite. “But I refuse to peel prawns for that fucker.”
“But he’s on a diet.”
“Then you better get back quick, or I’ll be putting that furball on the next flight.”
I giggled. “Smudge might like New York.”
Flynn shot me a wink. “You might too.”
* * *
The next day, I stared wearily through the glass windows ofFinding Beauty. I’d barely slept on the overnight flight, but the buzzing New York energy offered me a second wind.
Unlike the modern skyscrapers I’d passed to get here, this old building had been impeccably restored with an inviting entrance that drew me in.
An empty reception counter laid underneath a gorgeous painting of a yellow rose surrounded by demon-like apparitions. An elongated figure shielded the perfect rose, and its meaning took hold of my heart. It represented the purpose of this place. To protect beauty from the evils of this world.
I peered around the quiet foyer and proceeded through to the gallery. Natural light beamed though the long windows into a room full of masterpieces. An array of different painting techniques filled each wall until I found one that captured my soul.
Three walls of Ethan’s art surrounded me like an embrace, and I gasped at his brilliance.
