“Nope. They had me and realized that another child would fall below the perfection they had right in front of them with their baby boy.”
“Perfection, my ass.” Chuck laughed. “Ellen and Paul stopped because they didn’t want to subject the world to another Lance, that’s why.”
“You only say that because you are the middle child in the Covington family. Marie and Joe had their hands full with you and your siblings.” Lance turned to her. “He’s got two older brothers and one older sister and two younger sisters and one younger brother. You know what they say about middle children, Danielle? All true when it comes to Chuck.”
She loved how Lance and Chuck teased each other. “What do they say about middle children?”
“Middle children, like Chuck, always talk about feeling invisible.”
“Not true, buddy.”
“I know.” Lance smiled. “You’re a great friend.”
Chuck grabbed her hand and squeezed. “With my mom and dad, none of us felt invisible. Like Lance’s parents, mine are my biggest supporters. If I need anything, I know I can depend on them. They always told me to go after my dreams, saying that with hard work, I could have it all.”
“And we did, didn’t we?” Lance took her other hand. “You know we have money now, but it wasn’t always that way. Chuck and I met in college. We were roommates and became instant friends. He became my brother then and remains so to this very day.”
Chuck nodded. “Always. We built a company together. It was hard work but so much fun.”
“That’s how you two made all your money?”
They both nodded.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to be able to not worry about what things cost.” She sighed, remembering the past ten years of struggle she’d come through. Paycheck to paycheck was all she’d ever known.
Lance shrugged. “Having money is nice, baby, but it doesn’t bring real happiness. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but it’s the people in your life that matter the most, not the things you can buy.”
“We enjoyed building our business, sweetheart, but then we sold it.” Chuck’s tone filled her with sadness. “We became billionaires but we lost our way.”
“Why don’t you start another business? If it made you happy before, I’m sure it would again.”
“Not a bad idea, baby, but there’s something more important that has captured all our attention at the moment.” Lance stroked her hair. “You. Business is fun, but you are the only one that will really make me happy. I don’t need Carlotta’s crystal ball to know that.”
Chuck touched her on the cheek. “Even back in the earlier years at college, we both sensed something was missing in our lives. Now I know that was you, Danielle. You are the one we’ve been looking for our whole lives.”
Danielle believed in Lance and Chuck. She believed Carlotta was right. She belonged with them. She needed to tell them how she felt. She loved them. She knew it from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Where to begin?
The front door burst open. Lance and Chuck were on their feet in front of her with their guns drawn.
“Put d
own your weapons.” Michael raised his hands over his head. “I surrender. It’s just me and Harry.”
Lance holstered his gun. “Glad you’re home, buddy.”
Chuck nodded. “We can really use your help right now.”
“When we heard about everything that has been happening, we came back home as fast as we could. Is Danielle okay?”
“I’m fine, Michael.” She came to her feet and walked over to the sweetest gay couple in town. “Better than fine.”
* * * *
Lance held Danielle’s hand. She’d gotten Michael and Harry up to speed on all that had happened since they’d been at Lake Tahoe.
“I’m beat.” Harry stood. “Good-night, all.”