Enchanted (The Accidental Billionaires #4)(56)

But there were little things, too.

She always thought about me, even when we weren’t together.

If I was working, she’d bring me a coffee from the Coffee Shack that she’d picked up before coming to the house. Or she’d bring me food if she thought I hadn’t eaten.

I’d mentioned the possibility of certifying to scuba dive. The next day, she was all over finding me the place and equipment to do it.

My new jet hadn’t arrived yet, but Andie had been there every step of the way to push me to pick one out.

When being as rich as I was now got overwhelming, she was there to put the whole thing into perspective.

If I wanted to do anything, the woman was my biggest cheerleader.

She didn’t ask for a single thing in return. If I did something for her, it was because I’d thought about her, too, and not because she’d asked.

Andie appreciated even the small things, like the horseback ride on the beach. Although I could have probably done without the crying part of the whole thing. She’d been sobbing like her heart was broken, and that had broken mine, even if it was supposedly a happy ugly-cry session.

It pissed me off that Andie had never had the attention or protection she should have had as a child, and as an adult with a life-threatening illness.

Someone should have been there for her, somebody who cared about her needs.

But I supposed that was a moot point, because now that I was in her life, she’d damn well get everything she needed. The woman would never be without a shoulder to cry on and all the emotional support she needed.

“Yeah, I see it,” I finally answered. “However, I also know that she just barely passed that five-year point, and I need to give her time to adjust to having a normal life. Andie’s still young. She hasn’t really had any sense of normalcy as an adult.”

“And you have?” Aiden said drily. “You’re not that much older, and you’ve never really seen normal, either.”

I shrugged. “Eight years. It seems like a lot.”

“Do you want to get laid, or do you want to sit and wonder what her reaction will be?” Seth questioned wryly.

“I just . . . want to make her happy.”

“You both need to be happy,” Aiden said. “Now that I’ve gotten to know her a little, I doubt she’d be content if you weren’t happy, too.”

“Done. I’m fucking ecstatic. I just want it all. I can’t do a damn thing about her past, but I want her present and her future to be with me.”

“It will be,” Seth said calmly. “Now let’s get back to talking about your nonexistent sex life.”

I shot him a warning glance. I wasn’t in a joking mood. “I think it’s too soon, but I’m not sure how much longer I can handle this.”

“Believe me, we get it,” Aiden said ruefully. “We’ve been in your position. I went through hell with Skye before we were both happy. When you find the right woman, it’s hard not to want to jump all in.”

“I’m already all in,” I rumbled.

“Can you push a little and see how she receives it?” Seth asked. “I think you’ll know.”

“What if she regrets it and backtracks?”

Seth shrugged. “Then you go after her.”

I finished off my potpie before I replied. “I’ll always go after her. No matter how far she runs.”

Aiden chuckled. “We’re kind of persistent that way.”

I looked from Seth to Aiden. “How in the hell did you two do it? I was there for you if you needed me, but I had no idea how you felt at the time. My whole damn life revolves around Andie now. My happiness depends on her and what she decides. It’s hell. Did you feel that way?”

“Yep.”

“Yes.”

My brothers spoke those single-word answers at the same time.

Aiden took a deep breath and let it out. “I’d do it all again, over and over, if it meant I’d have Skye in the end. It will pass, Noah. I know it’s not easy, but give it time. Even if you think you’re at the end of your patience, you’re not. You’ll keep stretching it because you love her.”

Aiden was right. I wasn’t going to lose my shit with Andie, because she deserved better than that.

“I’ll keep it together,” I admitted. “Whether I’ll be sane in the end is debatable.”

“You look good for a guy who isn’t getting any,” Seth observed. “You’ve gained a little weight.”

“Because Andie is constantly feeding me,” I answered. “I started increasing my cardio every morning so I don’t keep expanding. I don’t need to gain any more. But I’ve discovered that I love to eat.”

“You’re a true Sinclair male now,” Seth joked. “I think we all love to eat. Welcome to the wonderful world of good food.”

Aiden stood since we were all done eating. “We ready to go?”

I got to my feet. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“I’ll give you a lift back to your office, Seth,” Aiden offered.

Seth had walked to the bistro since his office was so close. But he’d need to go pick up his vehicle there before he headed home.

Aiden had picked me up so we could ride to town together.