“Yes Mom, he is. No, he doesn’t know. Yes, I’ll tell him when I find the right time.”
She huffed out a breath. “There won’t be a right time. He deserves to know. That little boy in there deserves to have his father.”
I hated that she was disappointed in me. I hated that I was disappointed in myself. But I couldn’t get past how much I could lose, and so procrastination continued to seem like a good idea.
As I rode the train to work though, I knew I wasn’t just riding on borrowed time, but that the longer I waited, the worse it would be. Devin met Andrew and they hit it off, which meant now was the time to tell him. I guess I’d find out what his limit really was and if we’d hit it.
I was busy with meetings most of the morning, and had to visit a location for a corporate event, so it wasn’t until that afternoon that I was able to reach out to Devin. He didn’t pick up when I called, so I left a message.
As I rode the train home after work, I got a text from him.
Sorry. Crazy ass day. I have to go out of town this week. Be back Saturday. How about taking a flight then?
I was given a reprieve from telling him about Andrew, but I didn’t feel relieved. Now that I’d made the decision to tell him, I wanted to get it over with.
Saturday, I have an event. Sunday?
Several minutes later, his text came in. Sunday. Be ready at 8 and give me the entire day.
I wondered what he had planned. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was planning lunch in Ireland or something.
We’ll be ready.
My parents didn’t seem thrilled that I still hadn’t told him. I explained he was out of town but that we’d made plans for the weekend.
“He says he wants to take Andrew flying.”
“You shouldn’t do it in front of Andrew,” my mother said, shaking her head. “In case he doesn’t take it well.”
She had a point.
“What man won’t take hearing he’s a father well?” My father growled. “He likes the boy. He likes Serena.”
“She’s lied to him for years, Graham. Tell me that wouldn’t make you upset,” my mother said.
He shrugged. “I’d be smart enough to hold it together for the boy.”
“He shouldn’t have to hold it together. Why don’t you leave Andrew here, after your flight,” my mother said.
“Okay,” I agreed. She was right. I didn’t want Andrew to know if Devin was upset about learning he was a father. And Devin deserved to express whatever sort of feeling he was going to have without worrying about upsetting Andrew.
That night, Devin called late.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t talk earlier. I’ve had a bitch of a day.”
“It’s fine. I know running the Roarke empire takes a little time.”
Andrew was in bed, and I had my wine and book. I moved to my bedroom to keep from waking Andrew. For a moment, I wondered if maybe I should tell Devin about Andrew on the phone, but then decided now wasn’t the time. He was distracted with business and was having to leave town. I’d stick with the plan and tell him Sunday after the flight.
“Were you sleeping?” he asked.
“No. Wine and book time. My me-time when Andrew is sleeping.”
“What are you wearing?”
My cheeks heated at the sensual tone in his voice. “What are you?”
“Nothing. I’m laying in bed with an iron-hard dick wishing you were here to help me.”