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Burn doesn't respond, letting the ring fall to the floor with a clatter. Daisy gives us both a look of pure loathing before spinning on her heel and stalking back inside the bar.
An awkward silence descends. I clear my throat. "Well, I'm glad you finally saw through her act," I say tentatively.
Burn runs a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I should have known from the start." He glances at the discarded ring, then back at me. He picks it up and puts it away in his coat pocket. "Thank you, Dare."
I nod, a bit taken aback. I hadn't expected gratitude. But before I can respond, Burn continues.
"Let me buy you a drink. I know we have a lot to work through, but...this is a start."
I hesitate. Talia is waiting for me at home, heavy with our child. The anger still simmers beneath the surface between my twin and me. But the hopeful look on Burn's face gives me pause.
Perhaps one drink won't hurt. I have hope that our fractured relationship can heal.
I consider Burn's offer carefully. One drink to celebrate the end of his toxic engagement can't hurt. And if we're going to repair our relationship, I need to take steps towards trust.
"Alright," I say finally. "One drink."
Burn's face lights up. He waves the bartender over and orders two whiskeys, neat.
As we wait, an uneasy silence settles between us. The history of rivalry and resentment won't disappear overnight. But Burn looks contrite, and I know how deeply Daisy's betrayal must cut.
The drinks arrive. Burn lifts his glass in a toast. "To new beginnings," he says.
"To family," I reply, clinking my glass against his.
The whiskey burns comfortingly as it goes down. Burn sighs, rolling his empty glass between his palms.
"I should have listened to you about Daisy from the start," he admits. "I guess I just wanted to believe she truly cared."
I nod. "I know the feeling. But there will be someone real someday."
Burn smiles slightly. "I hope so." He glances at his watch. "I should let you get home. Give my best to Talia."
"I will." I stand, pausing. "Thank you for the drink. This... It meant a lot."
Burn clasps my shoulder. "Anytime."
I step out into the night alone. The air is cold and bracing, clearing my head. I take a deep breath, exhaling a cloud of white.
My thoughts turn to Talia, her smile, her laughter. The swell of her belly where our child grows. The loft isn't far, but I find myself hurrying, eager to see her face.
Perhaps Burn and I can find our way forward after all. For now, my little family is all that matters.
ChapterTwenty
TALIA
Olive, Minnie, and I are all piled in the backseat of a chauffeured SUV, on our way to meet a real estate agent. Minnie needs a nicer house, something that will be more accessible for someone her age to get around in with ease. I merely suggested to Minnie that we should look yesterday... and today, we are already looking at properties.
Minnie is way more ready to spend the Morgan family trust than I am. And apparently, she moves fast when there's money to be spent.
At this precise moment, Minnie's frail fingers dig into my arm, her gnarled knuckles protruding under wrinkled, spotted skin.
"There, there, little one," she coos at my swollen belly. "Your granny Min can't wait to spoil you rotten."
Normally I would roll my eyes at her presumption. But not today. Apparently, my hormones are driving this Mack truck and they are swayed by Aunt Minnie's antics. Tears prick my eyes at her tenderness.
Olive brushes a knuckle under my chin, catching a tear before it falls. "May I?"
