Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(52)

Del swore under his breath. “You’re twisted, but I respect that.” He raised his to-go cup. “To you, little brother. You done good.”

Aidan did the same. “You haven’t done bad yourself. You sold your business for a lot of money.”

“How do you know?”

“I read a couple of business blogs. The sale was mentioned.”

“Thanks. I told Dad about it.”

Aidan snorted. “The old man wouldn’t care. You could cure cancer and he’d yawn. It’s how he is.”

“Tell me about it.”

“What are you going to do now?”

Del thought about the videos he wanted to produce. The way they would enlighten and educate kids around the world. Talk about a lofty and self-important description, he thought.

“I’m not sure. I’m still mulling things over. I have ideas, but nothing firm.”

“You’re not sticking around here.”

“You asking or telling?”

“Telling,” Aidan said with a grin. “You said it yourself. You’re not cut out for Fool’s Gold. You’ll be leaving soon enough.”

Del knew his brother was right. He would leave, because that was what he did. But this time, like the first time, he would regret leaving Maya. They were a good team.

For a second he wondered what it would be like if she came with him. If she wanted what he wanted. Only how could they live in such close quarters without starting something they shouldn’t? If he was with her that much, was he at risk of falling for her again?

While he could understand why she’d acted the way she had, all those years ago, the truth was, she hadn’t been honest. Never once had she hinted there was a problem. Could he trust her to be honest now? To say there was something wrong and then work through it with him? Or would she simply cut and run?

Maybe he was a fool, but he was looking for a partner. Someone who would have his back. With Maya, he couldn’t be sure.

“Good luck with whatever you decide,” Aidan told him. “I’ll admit that I don’t get it. Don’t you want to wake up in the same bed now and then?”

“I’m home enough. I like traveling around, seeing what’s going on in other places. People are interesting. Besides, who are you not to understand? You don’t want to be with the same woman more than a few days before moving on.”

“You’re right. We both have commitment issues. Just in different ways. Send me a postcard this time,” Aidan told him.

“Promise.”

When he and Aidan parted, Del knew that the rift had been mended. His brother was his friend again.

He started home, then changed his mind and walked by Maya’s place. Sure enough, her new flowers had turned a sickly yellow and were drooping. He didn’t know if she was overfeeding or overwatering. Either way, she was killing innocent plants.

He went by his place and got his truck, then drove to Plants for the Planet and bought replacements. With luck, he would get them in the ground and the dead ones gone before she noticed.

* * *

ELAINE’S TEMPORARY APARTMENT was small but cozy. It was a studio with a comfortable daybed. There was a dining alcove, a tiny kitchen that had all the basics and a small bathroom.

“It’s perfect for what I need,” Elaine said, stretched out on the couch, Sophie at her side. “When the princess here needs to do her thing, I can take her down to the small garden out back.”

Elaine motioned to the kitchen. “I have snacks and tea. So it’s working out.”

“It’s a good setup,” Maya admitted. “I’m impressed you’ve managed to keep it a secret.”

Elaine smiled. “I told the landlord it was a menopause thing. After that he didn’t want to know.”

Maya smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay. Tired.” Sophie rolled onto her back and Elaine rubbed the dog’s belly. “This one keeps me company. She’s always been more my dog rather than the family dog, but since I’ve started treatment, she hasn’t left my side.”

“She knows something is up.”

Maya studied her friend. Elaine had dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired. And thinner. “Are you losing weight?”

Elaine raised one shoulder. “Maybe a little. It’s hard to eat. I don’t feel nauseous, exactly, but I don’t feel great, either. It’s difficult to explain.”

“Can I tempt you with dinner at your favorite restaurant?” Maya asked, worried about how Elaine was going to get through the next few weeks of radiation. “You name the place.”

“You’re sweet, but I’m fine. I have my treatments, then I come here for a few hours. Mostly I nap. Then Sophie and I go home.”

Maya tried to hold in the words, but they refused to be suppressed. “You have to tell them.”

“I really don’t.”

“They’d want to know. They will want to know. Ceallach already suspects something is up. It’s going to come out. You’ll mention something or your doctor will call. You’re dealing with breast cancer. Your husband and sons want to be there for you.”

Elaine’s smile was both sad and knowing. “They couldn’t handle it. Ceallach is in the middle of a big commission. I can’t risk distracting him, so I told him it was a menopause thing, too. Who knew the change would come in so handy? As for my sons... I don’t want anyone to worry.”