Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Delia
One of the benefits of social media is that it can be a window into a person’s life. I’ve checked Nikita’s social media accounts sometimes when she isn’t answering my texts. I’ve done the same with my siblings, although Callum doesn’t partake.
He claims not to have an interest in anything related to social media and fortunately for him, his job doesn’t require him to make the rounds on there with the intention of trying to impress any prospective employers or clients.
Dr. Donovan Hunt does have a social media presence that reaches far and wide.
He has millions of followers who eat up his content like it’s the most delicious cake ever baked. He gets more comments and likes than most people would know what to do with, but he does make time to filter through everything to drop replies to some of those comments.
That happened less than an hour ago when he posted from an animal shelter in the West Village. The image was of him holding a beautiful white and brown kitten he had named Rufus.
He encouraged his followers to visit the shelter in the coming days to check out Rufus and his six littermates.
I doubt I can convince him that I’m standing outside the shelter because I’m interested in adopting a cat. I’m not at the moment, although I want to have a pet, or pets at some point.
I’d have to get approval from the tenant board in my building, but they tend to be easily swayed when it comes to accommodating new furry family members. A man who lives on the same floor as Mr. Winters and me has a cat and a dog. They don’t always get along, but he assures me they love each other very much.
The door to the shelter flies open as a woman and a little boy emerge. The woman is holding tightly to a leash that is attached to the collar of an adorable black dog.
“Hold the door for the nice lady,” she tells her son. “I bet she’s going to leave with a kitten.”
Or a handsome veterinarian.
I keep that thought to myself, but I offer them both a wide grin. “Your dog is beautiful.”
“He’s handsome,” the boy says, his toothy smile on display. “We named him Midnight. It’s cool, right?”
“It’s the coolest,” I tell him as I raise a hand to hold the door open myself so he can get back to hugging his dog. “I think he’ll be really happy with you.”
“He is already,” the boy says, tears welling in his eyes. “He’s going to sleep in my room tonight.”
“We’ll see about that.” His mom skims a hand over his forehead as he yawns. “It’s getting late. The nice lady needs to get inside and we have to get home.”
“Bye, nice lady!” He waves a hand at me, so I do the same back.
“Hey, nice lady,” an achingly familiar voice says, sending a shiver up my spine.
I don’t need to turn to see who is standing near me, but I do.
Donovan, wearing the same lab coat he was in the image he posted online earlier, smiles at me. “Can I help you, nice lady?”
I nod slowly while I relish in the sight of the smile on his face. “You can tell me what time you’ll be done here.”
“Twenty minutes or so, give or take.” He glances over his shoulder. “I’ve got a couple more new intakes to check over and a kitten or two to cuddle, but I’m all yours after that, Delia.”
“I can wait at the café down the block.”
“Or you can lend a hand.” He points toward a corridor. “I happen to know that there are a few dozen dogs and cats here who’d love some one-on-one time with you.”
“Seriously?” I smile. “I get to pet dogs and cats?”
“For as long as you want.” He tilts his head slightly. “Or until you’re ready to tell me what brought you here.”
An hour later we exit the shelter and step into the warm evening air.
Donovan points at the random black hairs clinging to the skirt of my red sundress. “It looks like someone got a little too close to a certain cat named Ralph.”
Laughing, I try to brush off the hairs but they’re not giving up easily. “It was worth it.”
He shoves both hands into the front pockets of his navy blue pants. “You’re a natural with animals, Delia. Did you ever consider following in Matthew’s footsteps?”
I shake my head. “I hate the sight of blood.”
“You do?”
I nod. “I’m okay with very small amounts but if it’s more than a few drops, I’ll faint.”
“That means you would have gone down for the count on the cruise if your foot was injured more seriously?”
“Probably,” I whisper. “I’m sure Clever would have caught me.”
He barks out a laugh. “Fucking Clever.”
“Do you think we’ll ever see his name in lights?”
“Absolutely not,” he answers succinctly.
I can’t help but laugh. “Ye of little faith.”
“More like he of little magic skills,” he counters. “Everyone in that theater knew how he made you disappear.”
I gasp a little too loudly as we continue walking side by side. “No, they didn’t.”
“Hell, yes they did.” He chuckles. “You hid on the ledge at the back of the box.”
“I can neither confirm or deny that’s true.”
He shoots me a look. “No need to do either, Delia. You tried your best, but Clever the unclever magician needs to practice, and then practice more, and then…”
“Practice more?”
“You know it.” He slows as the crossing light flashes a warning. “Tell me why you tracked me down tonight.”
I glance up at him. “To talk.”
“About?”
I look at the passing traffic before I finally shift my gaze back to him. “Having more fun.”
“With me?” he questions, a glint visible in his eyes.
“Don’t hurt Matt,” I warn him. “When this ends we agree to be adult about it. We each go our own way and agree that Matt remains neutral throughout. He’s my brother and your employee.”
“And friend,” he adds. “I told you his job is safe, Delia. I won’t change my mind on that. You have my word.”
I barely know him, but I sense his word means a great deal.
“It needs to be casual,” I say as we start to cross the street. “No conflict, no drama. Just fun, Donovan.”
“I’m all for that.” He motions for me to turn to the left to continue our walk on that sidewalk. “If you want to be on top, you’re not going to get an argument from me? I’ll eat you instead of dinner seven nights a week.”
All of that sends a charge straight through to my core. “I need this to be as uncomplicated as possible.”
“As do I.” He slows his pace. “We’ll enjoy ourselves and when it’s time to call it a day, we part as friends.”
He may be capable of that. I’m not sure I am, but I know that I’m going to do everything within my power to keep my emotions out of this. I want to spend more time with him. I’m desperate to crawl back into bed with him, and I’m mature enough to see this for what it is.
It’s a summer fling with the possibility of slipping a wee bit into fall before it runs its course.
“We can’t hang out at my apartment,” I blurt out. “Matthew has been known to randomly show up, so…”
“So, you’ll come to my townhouse when you want to see me,” he says casually. “Text me so I have your phone number.”
“Now?” I ask, glancing around.
He smiles. “Or later. It’s up to you.”
I look into his eyes as we stand under a streetlight. “We’re going to have fun.”
He nods slowly. “So much fucking fun and yes, I mean that just as it sounds.”
I bow my head. “It sounds divine.”
“I’ll take you home with me now,” he offers. “If that’s what you want.”
I crane my neck back and suck in a deep breath. “I want to text you later so you have my phone number.”
“That works too.” He leans forward to press a soft kiss in the middle of my forehead. “I’ll get you home. Let me flag down a cab or we can take the subway.”
“I can make it there on my own.” I smile. “Thank you for the offer, though.”
“Thank you for stalking my social media tonight, Delia.” He exhales softly. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
I can’t wait to see him again either, but I keep that to myself and brush past him, forcing him to turn around to get one last glimpse of me tonight.
“Goodnight, Delia,” he calls after me as I walk down the sidewalk toward Park Avenue.
“Goodnight,” I say while looking straight ahead with a smile on my face that’s bright enough to light the night sky.