AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The door opens quietly. Paisley steps inside, closing it softly behind her.
Paisley spent most summers at the Parrish. Bronson and Paige and Sasha and her husband, Carter, are all very close. My mom and dad often watched her and her brother Thomas as well as Sasha’s daughter Clara—now a grown woman with children of her own living in the Hamlet—so the parents could go to the mainland and have an overnight in Athens.
I was older than the “cousins” and totally obsessed with rugby, spending every free hour I wasn’t training playing the sport with my friends. But I have fond memories of Paisley running around our house wearing tutus and mismatched socks, always in different shades of pinks and purples.
She’s no longer that little girl. She’s grown into a beautiful woman.
“Damian. You’re here.” She crosses the floor with the grace of a dancer, taking me in a tight embrace. When she pulls back, I take her in. It’s been a year since I last saw her. Long dark hair, pale skin, bright blue eyes that hold the promise of her future.
“You’re all grown up,” I say. “Twenty-one. I’m sorry to miss your party.”
Paisley tucks a lock of her dark hair behind her ear, gazing at my sleeping father. “We’ll miss you, for sure.”
“I hate I won’t be there,” I say. “But go. Have fun. Be young. That’s what Dad would tell you if he was awake.”
She shakes her head. “I totally understand. If it was my father here, I’d be canceling the whole thing. I’d want to be right by his side. I feel bad celebrating knowing that Uncle Dante is in the hospital.”
“We’ll have him home soon,” I assure her. “Maybe even tomorrow.”
“I saw the doctor outside. He said we all need to leave in a few minutes. To let Uncle Dante rest.” She moves over to my father’s side. She puts a light hand on his shoulder. Leaning down, Paisley whispers something softly to him and brushes a kiss over his cheek.
Witnessing her tender goodbye leaves an ache in my chest.
Family.
That’s what this life is all about. I’ve never truly stopped to contemplate having one of my own. I look at Aunt Sasha, think of my strong mother. The women, they are the heart of the family. Without them, nothing would get done, ties would loosen.
Just look at me and Dad. Thankfully, Sasha was there to pull us together. Seems like every man needs a partner to plan out his life for him. Thinking of myself, there’s only one woman I can envision being the architect of my future.
The thought is terrifying.
But why?
Am I scared of making such a commitment to this woman? Or scared if I do ask, she’ll refuse me?
Maybe… both.
twenty-four
Lindy
With Damian at the hospital, I take some much-needed alone time to organize our lives. We’ll only be staying at this magnificent hotel for one night, but that doesn’t stop me from making house. I’m a tidy little mouse and I can make a nest with only a few necessities at my disposal.
Here?
I have the world at my fingertips. Anything I need or want has been offered to me.
And this penthouse—I’ve never, ever been anywhere like this in the city before. Heck, other than the Parrish, I’ve never been anywhere this nice before.
I start with my trunk, wishing Angel was around to help me unpack.
Everything was neatly folded and placed inside by Damian’s staff at the Parrish. I take out a few comfy outfits to choose from after my shower, and a red dress to go with my new ring, paired with sandals for this evening.
As I hang the gown, I’m mystified. “How on earth did Apollo pack this without it getting wrinkled?” I make a mental note to ask him next time I see him.
The thought forms a little ball of ice in my stomach.
It’s not a question of when I’ll see Apollo again. It’s an if I’ll see him again. The thought unsettles me. I don’t know what my future holds.
