Chapter Address Change
Address Change
Fiona
“Are you really sure you want to do this?” I stop putting clothes into my suitcase.
Daria sets down the shirt she was folding. “We’re leaving the only home I’ve ever had. It’s weird.”
“This doesn’t have to be permanent. Just until they resolve the threat.”
Daria chuffs. “Yeah, right. Like that man is ever going to want you to move out. He’s going to put a ring on your finger before that happens.”
“Not happening.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
What if this is wrong? What if Daria gets attached, and then Max finds out? I should just tell him. Rip off the proverbial bandage.
The greedy part of me wants more time with him. “Did you tell Knight about your change of address?”
“Yeah. He knows Max, so it wasn’t a big deal. Though he offered me a room in one of their houses if I didn’t want to move there or stay here alone.”
What? No, Daria and I have been together since her mother gave her into my care. I sink down onto the bed. “Is that what you want? I don’t want you to feel obligated to leave your home or move in somewhere else. We’re family.” Max will just have to hear the word ‘no’ if Daria isn’t comfortable.
“At first, I thought I didn’t want to leave.
But we can’t stay hidden here forever. And if living with the Vincentis doesn’t work for me, I’ll get an apartment or move into one of Knight’s empty places.
” She shrugs. “We can’t stay here forever waiting for life to happen to everyone else, but not us. ”
What? “We’re living. You have an amazing job writing. And I love working at the bakery.” What does she mean by we aren’t living?
“No, we’re passing time. Look at Dash. You have no plans for any future with him.
Kids come into our lives for a short time, like we’re a stopgap, and they move on to their real family.
Year after year, you ignored people who wanted to get to know you better.
You have friends, yet no one really knows you but me.
And men…you friend zoned them faster than they could blink until Max showed up.
All of this might end up being a mess that doesn’t work out, but at least we’re moving forward.
So yeah, I’m willing to try.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Are you?”
My soul screams no. “I don’t know if I can trust this to be real.”
Daria nods. “Trust is earned.”
I say that to the kids all the time.
“Give him a chance to earn yours.”
“What about you? Are you going to ever give a guy a chance?” I’ve worried for a long time that her mother’s and my history tainted her desire for a relationship or kids.
“I have to find a man first.”
Like we aren’t surrounded by a million of them. “Knight?”
She shakes her head. “That man is hot, but he’s like a brother to me.”
“Friend zone.” I didn’t miss the little smirk that played across her face.
Is she right? Have I been thinking I’ve been living, but really hiding from life?
***
I live in a mansion. That’s hard to fathom. From living in a cage to living on the street, then living in a comfortable apartment, now to a mansion, my life keeps changing for the better…I hope. It’s easy to forget that all of this could disappear in a moment.
All it would take is a few words of truth.
Maybe I can keep my secret forever. What Max doesn’t know won’t hurt us.
“Hey there. How are you settling in?” Max says from the door to my new bedroom.
Do I tell him the truth? Or do I tell him what he wants to hear?
“That’s way too thoughtful of a look.” He walks over to where I’m standing by the bed and takes me in his arms. “What can I do to make this easier for you?”
Those words touch my heart more than any others could. “You just did it.”
Max pulls me in tighter to him. “Well then, I guess it doesn’t matter that I got a few things for you.”
“Huh?”
He kisses my temple and walks towards the door. “Be right back.”
That man is strange. Max comes back with laundry baskets stacked above his head.
“What’s all that?”
After setting the baskets down on the bench at the foot of the bed, he turns to me. “I wanted to make it feel like home. You like soft blankets and throws, so I got you a few.”
Five full baskets are a few?
“Then I thought you probably would like them to smell fresh and clean, so I tossed them in the washing machine and dryer.” He lifts one out and holds it up to me. “Feel it.”
What? I run my hand across it. “Soft.”
“They’re all that way. I didn’t know if you liked silk or flannel sheets, so I got you both. The chair should be delivered in the morning. And Dad is getting Milia’s stuff out of the attic for Dash to use.
“Where is Dash?” I haven’t seen him since we got here.
“Mom has got him in the kitchen with her. It’s nice having a baby around the house again. So which sheets would you like?”
Keeping up with him is a little dizzying. “It’s cold.”
“The flannel it is.” He sets the silk ones to the side and starts to make the bed.
“You don’t need to do that. I can make my own bed.”
“I know you’re capable, but I want to do this for you.”
Cherish. Max promised to make me feel cherished. Those weren’t just words. Or stacks full of things he could buy me with his billions. He means to show me with actions.
My legs go out from under me.
“Fea, what’s wrong?” He dashes to my side, scooping me up in his arms. “Are you sick? I’d better call Mom.
She can come check you out. Or maybe I should just take you to the hospital.
That’s a better idea. An ambulance. We need an ambulance.
Except the hospital is close. It would be faster to drive.
Don’t you worry, I’ll have you there in a few minutes. ”
What? “No. Max, I’m fine.”
“You clearly aren’t fine. People who are fine don’t just collapse to the ground.” Trembling with fear, his arms wrap around me like he’s trying to transfer his strength to me.
“Max, I’m fine.”
We’re halfway to the steps in no time.
“Put me down.”
“No, you might fall on the steps.”
“Max, get this through that thick skull of yours, I am fine.”
“Woman. You just collapsed.”
“Because you just turned my world upside down, showing me how much you love me. And I realized you really meant it.”
“Tesoro mio.”
“I don’t know what that means, but it sounds pretty.”
“It means my treasure, and that’s what you are.”
My heart cracks, and my secrets almost spill out.
“Emphasis on the my, because you’re mine. The most valuable gift I could have received.”
“Are you trying to make me cry too?”
“Never.”
I tuck my face into his strong neck. “Thank you.”