“I hope you’re right.”
“Only one way to find out.”
They found her parents and Danielle sitting in the private waiting room. Her mother’s gaze raked over Doug in disgust.
He gave her a pleasant smile and watched her squirm. The woman had always been too caught up in what everyone else thought, and half the time she got it wrong.
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Mae. Sorry about the circumstances.”
Chloe gave him a peculiar smile. He’d already told her he was hired by her father. What exactly the man knew about their past was another question. Chloe had never come up between them.
Her father grinned. “I didn’t realize you know my daughter. Maybe you can convince Chloe to come to the Stars of Our Future fundraiser.”
Doug glanced over and found her smile radiant.
“He already asked, and I accepted.”
“The benefit is for Children’s Hospital. Seems fitting their newest up-and-coming doctor be there.”
“I don’t know about all that. I’m not starting for two weeks.”
“Ah, but you’ll do amazing. You always do. I’m so proud of you.”
Mrs. Mae smiled tightly. “Yes. Pierce is going to be so disappointed you won’t go with him.”
Chloe visibly flinched. Her mouth pursed as she stared back. “Mother, I haven’t seen Pierce in over four years, and last I heard, he was engaged. I have no idea why you think I would consider going with him.”
Her father’s brow went up. “I always wondered what happened to him. Did he not treat you well?”
Chloe huffed, her attention switching back. “No. We tried to make things work, on and off from high school to my senior year of college. I caught him sleeping with my roommate, and left him.”
Mr. Mae turned to his wife. “You knew this, and you were still trying to get them back together?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Of course. He made a foolish mistake. It’s nothing.”
“Nothing?” His voice was cold. “Clearly Chloe is better off without him. Her roommate? That’s low.”
Doug wanted to give him a high-five.
“And a musician is going to treat our daughter better?”
Mr. Mae’s mouth dropped open. “Mr. Walsh is a successful businessman, an upstanding and inspiring member of the community, and quite talented. I’ve met with Mr. Walsh on numerous occasions and he has his head on straighter than Pierce ever did.”
Chloe touched Doug’s face, pulling his attention to her. “Don’t worry. Nothing she says can hurt me. I know you. She doesn’t.”
He couldn’t resist a smile. “That’s all that matters.”
“I’ll be in Daniel’s room.” Mrs. Mae sneered before storming off.
Mr. Mae sighed. “I’m truly sorry about her outburst. It often seems she’s more worried about her social standing than her own family.”
Doug shrugged. “I’m only worried about Chloe.”
“And that makes me a happy man. May I have a moment alone with my daughter? I won’t keep her long.”
“Of course.” Doug turned to Chloe. “I’ll be in the waiting room out there.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips before leaving.
“I’ll come too.” Danielle said, following him.
Once the doors closed, Danielle turned to him with a sad smile. “So, you’re the boy who stole Chloe’s heart all those years ago?”
He swallowed his snarky first response of Unsuccessfully. Instead he shrugged. “I suppose so. Took a few years for things to settle out, but I’m not letting her go.”
“Seems to be exactly what she needs. Now, if Mom could get her head out of her ass and accept we all have our own lives, it would be great.”
Doug sighed. “We can hope.” He didn’t think that was very likely though. And it didn’t sound as if Danielle or her father had made much effort to keep track of Chloe.
*
Dad took her shoulders in his hands. “Have I mentioned how proud of you I am?”
Nodding, she smiled. “You did. Thank you.”
“Why didn’t I know about your graduation until after the fact?”
She drew a slow breath. You never called. Yeah, he was a busy senator, but it still hurt to know he never picked up the phone. Not that she had either. Like father, like daughter.
“Did your mother know and not give me the invite?”
“I didn’t bother sending invitations to anyone but Daniel, and I begged him not to make a fuss over it to you all. I haven’t even called for four years. You’re always busy. Mom hates that I switched majors. So I stopped taking her calls.”
He frowned. “Forget Mom. It’s not her life, it’s yours. Besides, I can’t see you as a lawyer. Though I have no doubt you’d excel at anything. Being a doctor fits you.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry I didn’t get in touch.”
“Me too.”
She managed a lame shrug. He was no more guilty than she was.
He squeezed her shoulder. “What happened? I want to understand.”
She looked around, and after confirming they were still alone, she explained, “About a week before Pierce and I received our degrees, I found him in bed with my roommate. Mom tried to blame me. Told me to take him back and forget school because if I wasn’t going to be a lawyer, I may as well be a housewife.”
“I would never, in a million years, tell you to stay with a man who cheated on you. Nor would I blame you for his poor decision. I never liked the scoundrel anyway.”
A surprised laugh escaped. Then a hesitant smile curved her lips. “I’m sorry. I guess I should have called you directly, but I assumed you two were a united front. Instead of dealing with it, I threw myself into school.”
“You did nothing wrong, Chloe. I wish I’d known. I would have straightened it out. Clearly, I need to pay more attention to my children. She never approved of Daniel’s choice in Xavier, but I thought that was religious reasons or something. I’ve been such a fool.”
In a twisted way, she understood Mom was doing what she thought best for her husband. Chloe sighed. “No. I think Mom’s looking out for you, but maybe she doesn’t understand what you really need is a woman who supports you and your beliefs, not what she thinks the people want from you.” Didn’t make her any less angry about the whole situation.
“You’re right. Hey, after Daniel gets out of the hospital, you and Doug should have lunch with Daniel, Xavier, and me. I want to catch up. Right now, your brother needs me.”
She hugged her father again, kissing his bristled cheek. “Definitely. Love you.”
“Love you more. I can hardly wait for our lunch date.”
Grinning, she walked backwards toward the door. “Neither can I. See you soon.”
“Until then.” Dad went back toward her brother’s room.
Chloe found Doug and Danielle discussing music.
Danielle smirked. “I see the appeal.” She winked before slipping through the door.
“Seems everyone but my mother loves you. I feel like a jerk.”
“Don’t. I’m over it. As long as she doesn’t sway you again, I’ll be fine.”
“You hungry?”
His eyes travelled down and back up her body. “Very.”
She smacked his chest. “I meant for food. Though later, I’ll let you have your fill.”
He waggled his brows. “Fuel for later.”
Chapter Twelve
Two weeks after Daniel’s accident, Chloe stood staring at Doug. He looked gorgeous in his dark grey suit with a deep purple tie. In fact, she was having a hard time picking her jaw up off the floor.
He frowned. “You said to dress up. Is this not okay?”
Blinking, she got her eyes up to his warm brown ones. “Stunning. If I can keep breathing, we’re ready to go.”
A chuckle left his lips. “You’re beautiful, but you always are.” He looked back down at his suit. “I guess I’ll have to dress up more often.”
She nodded dumbly.
His laugh washed over her. “Come on. Don’t want to be late.”
Doug drove, holding her hand the whole way. He took the afternoon off to be with her. Later that evening, they were heading back to his shop for a small performance. The kids involved in his program were playing a recital for their parents and a few other people.
The more she learned about Doug, the harder she fell.
He parked on the street and they walked from there. “You know,” she said, looking up at him, “I’ve never been happier. That’s all you.”
His smile widened. “You got yourself where you are. Not me. I may have helped influence you, but you put the work in. You’re tighter with your sister and father now, than ever before. You start your new job tomorrow. Again, all you, not me.”
“Sure, but that’s not the part that makes me happiest. Finally having you and being able to call you mine. That’s everything for me. It turns my good life to amazing.”
He leaned over to kiss her temple. “You’ve brightened my world as well.”
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but he pulled her through the door of the restaurant. It might seem fast to an outsider, but she’d been in love with Doug since seventh grade. Listening to her mother prevented her from having the one thing she wanted for far too long.
The hostess greeted them with an appraising look at Doug.
Chloe smiled. “We’re with the Mae party.”
“Right this way.” She didn’t miss the way the woman checked Doug out. Luckily for her, he was focused on Chloe, not the other woman.
Dad, Daniel, and Xavier were seated by a window.
She swooned when Doug pulled her chair out and pushed her in without banging her against anything. He played the part of a gentleman perfectly.
“It’s so good to see you both,” Dad greeted.
Daniel reached over to squeeze her hand. “Agreed. It’s good having you in Seattle.” His bruises had faded, but his arm was still in a cast.
“Danielle has a court case. She couldn’t be here, but she says next time.”
Her family, excluding Mom, were still a family. Other than Daniel, she didn’t talk to them daily, but she heard from them a few times a week. She wondered how she missed what was right in front of her. Misplaced anger had hidden the truth for far too long.
*
Doug moved around his shop’s retail space, making sure everything was in place for the mini-concert. He placed each instrument, music stand, and appropriate chairs.
He’d put so much work into helping the kids learn their preferred instrument, and he was proud to say they were doing amazingly well.
Chloe stood against the counter with her hands clasped in front of her. “Can I help?”
“No,” he mumbled, trying to remember what he might have forgotten. Nothing came to mind, with the exception of telling Chloe how deep his feelings ran. Two amazing weeks. He wasn’t ready to propose or move in, but the words were on the tip of his tongue every time they were near each other.
There was a knock as the first kid arrived, fidgeting nervously with his skinny tie. He reminded Doug of Jordan, one of his closest friends. Jayden was “in love” with Samantha. At twelve. He wanted to laugh and say, you have no clue what you’re talking about. Except he’d fallen for Chloe long before that, even if he’d never admitted it.
The kid’s love was something special. Doug hoped Jayden had better luck with Samantha than Jordan had with Roxy. They were finally friends again, but Jordan fell apart for a long time.
Doug opened the door and let Jayden in with his father, John. “You’re the first ones here. Welcome.”
*
After the concert, Chloe and Doug walked home from the shop. Yet again, he proved why this man was the one. Fears be damned, she wanted the world to know he was hers.
“That was amazing,” Chloe gushed. “Completely and utterly phenomenal. Those kids look up to you. You’ve taught them so much. I’m blown away.”
He blushed and lifted a shoulder. “I love music. That’s a gift that should be shared, a talent that should be nurtured. It’s what I know, so it’s what I give them.”
“I see why my father respects you. Why he wants to show more people the amazing things you’re doing.”
He laughed. “Thanks. But look at you. You’re going into a profession where your sole goal is to help kids lead a better life.”
“Not nearly as awesome.”
He looked over and shook his head. “No? By treating kids with JRA, you’re giving them a chance to play sports, even music, that they didn’t have before. You’re helping to curb the daily pain that prevents a lot of them from being normal kids. I remember how much my brother hurt, all the time, before he was properly diagnosed. How many days Dave sat in tears because even walking to the bathroom was hell.”
“But my work won’t give those kids the instant gratification creating music does,” she pointed out.
“No, but you change their whole world for the better. For instance, kids like my brother. Do you know what Dave is doing now?”
Chloe shook her head.
“He became a physical therapist. He’s active, the symptoms managed. He’s doing great. All because of doctors like you. Don’t sell yourself short, Chloe.”
She grinned. “I’m not. But you—those kids light up around you.”
“Your patients will do the same once they realize how much better you can make them feel. That’s the best gift you can give.”
Her smile warmed. “You’ve made your point.”
“Where do you want to stay tonight?”
“Would you hate me if I say my place? I need to be at work early tomorrow, and Jordan and Leanan are loud, too loud. Didn’t he say they would be there tonight?”
“Good point.”
“How do you stand it?”
“Headphones, music loud.” He laughed.
*
They barely made it through the door of her apartment, before Doug’s hands were on her, tugging at her clothes. Chloe laughed as she opened each button of his shirt, then attempted not to tear his pants when she yanked them open. He grabbed a condom before shucking his clothes while she slid the dress off her body.
Chloe couldn’t help staring at the masterpiece before her. All mine.
Wasting no time, she snatched the condom and took delight in his rumbling groan as she rolled it over his hard length.
Backing her against the wall as his hands curled under her ass, Doug hauled her against his hard body. Her legs locked around his hips.
Her hand slipped between them to angle his cock, letting him slide deep into her heat.
“Fuck, exactly where I need to be,” he breathed, as he pumped into her. His mouth covered hers, his tongue slipping between her lips, as he pounded her with short, steady thrusts.
It was primal, desperate, and she loved every second. He showed her every day how much he cared, how much he needed her. The guilt of ditching him back when they were kids fell away.
His passion was real, his heart completely hers. Now that they were adults, she felt they really connected in a way they never achieved as kids.
What she felt ran deeper than lust, than infatuation. He made her feel all-encompassing love. The kind laced with respect, that made her feel better about herself when she was with him.
He broke the kiss, capturing her gaze with his warm eyes. Such deep emotion stared back at her.
She was too breathless to form words, barely able to cling to him while he rocked her body against the wall.
Climax crashed over her. His mouth covered hers again, swallowing the cries as he kissed her deeply. Stars blinked through her vision.
He carried her back to the bedroom, laid her down, and went to the bathroom without a word. A million thoughts spiraled through her mind. The act had been desperate and passionate, then he walked away.
Have I read him wrong?
*
Every emotion he wrestled with, she seemed t
o feel as well. Doug stood at the mirror, trying to see the man she saw. He couldn’t, but it didn’t matter. Love poured through him. He was done hiding his feelings.
She’d proven their connection was deeper than lust. She wanted him, all of him. He drew a breath and came back to lay beside her.
Chloe curled into him and placed a kiss over his heart.
He blurted out, “I love you, Chloe.”
The same time, she whispered, “Doug, I love you.”
She jerked back, a look of surprise in her beautiful amber eyes. “You do?”
He nodded, before leaning in for a soft, sweet kiss. “I have all along.”
“Me too, but I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me.”
“I needed to be sure. Let’s face it, I was afraid. You battered my heart in the past.”
“I wish I could change that.”
“I don’t. Not anymore. I loved that girl who wasn’t sure what she wanted. I’m in love with the woman she became.”
“And I’m in love with you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Chloe stood against the wall, watching Doug knot his bow tie. Two weeks later, a month after finally getting together, and she was still amazed by all of his facets. Once he finished getting ready, he turned to her with a shrug. “What do you think?”
“That you’re devastatingly sexy in a tux, and I’m going to be beating women back with a stick.”
He laughed out loud. “Yeah, well I have to compete with all those doctors, and every other man, ogling my woman. It’s only fair a few women look my way. There’s only one for me anyway.”
She let out a happy sigh. “They can look, but I may amputate any part they use to touch you. I have a scalpel and know how to use it.”
He grinned. “Come on, we should go.” Doug looked at her lips and groaned. “That lipstick. I’m so tempted to kiss it away.”
“Don’t like it?”
“Fucking love it. Which is why I don’t want to mess it up.”
“All right, all right, let’s go.”
They hurried down to her BMW. In no time, they parked, and the valet drove the car back. Doug took her arm and pulled the invitations from his pocket.