“You’re one to talk.” Fawn holds her hand out, looking at her own ring.
“Our husbands are a lot alike.” They really are. “I take it things are going well then. Anything coming back?”
“They are wonderful. We found out yesterday that we’re having a boy.”
“Ah! I can’t wait to have this baby shower. It’s going to be epic. Wait. You’re staying, right? You’re not going to leave Healing Homes, are you?” The smile falls from her face.
“Not right now with everything going on with Faith.”
“Are you two going to fight for custody or foster?”
“Gosh, that sounds wonderful. We haven't gotten much of a chance to talk except for me telling him I can’t leave here right now, and he agreed.”
“It’s all going to work out. Roman and I talked last night about fostering her. We already have our license and approval. I got it early on in case something ever came up.” A mix of emotions hit me.
“Wait, you’re going to try and take her?”
“Of course not,” she rushes to say. “We could take her home for a few days while you and Oz get everything together. That little girl needs to be with you if that’s possible.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. That’s the mama bear in you.” She winks at me. I check behind me to make sure Dane isn’t near.
“Not much has come back. I might not remember my life with Dane, but I know I love him. I felt it from that moment he found me.”
“True love.” Fawn sighs.
“I did have a dream about him. It was him taking my virginity,” I whisper.
“That’s good.”
“I’m not sure if it’s real.”
“Ask him. I have no doubt he remembers every second of that night.” She laughs.
“Okay but the thing is”—I check behind me again—“I’ve had other dreams and I really hope they’re not real.” Fawn’s eyes widen.
“What were they about? Spill it.”
“In one, his mom knew I was pregnant, and she offered me money to leave Dane and never come back.”
“Oh shit.” She drops back in her chair.
“Yeah. I mean Dane has said his family can be shitty, but it’s still his mom.” Fawn nods. “What if I took her offer?” I voice the fear that’s been lingering in my mind.
“You didn’t.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do. It’s not in your nature, and like you said you know you love him. Would you take five million to walk away from him right now if I offered it to you?”
“No!”
“See?” She smirks smugly.
“It could have been fake.”
“Don’t lie to yourself.”
“Crap.” She’s right. I’m ninety-nine percent sure it was real. I was hanging on to a bit of hope that it wasn't. “I wish I had a picture of her or something. Her face was so clear.”
Fawn pulls out her phone and starts clicking away. “There has to be something online about them. Roman told me Oz’s father used to be a big deal until he wasn’t.”
“Dane stepped in.”
“Yeah.” She keeps clicking away. When her lips purse, I lean over to see what she is looking at. I see Dane in a tux. He’s staring down at a beautiful redhead who is standing too close to him. In fact I think they’re on a date. She’s laughing about something. Her dress leaves nothing to the imagination. There is something familiar about her. I’m not sure if the irritation is how I might feel about her or seeing the picture.
“When was that?”
“Six months ago, but don’t jump to conclusions.” It’s hard not to. We would have been together then, or he at least had to be pursuing me. “Oh! Here’s a pic of his mom.” I recognize her immediately, a flood of memories coming back to me.
“This keeps getting better.” I sigh. There is no doubt in my mind that she offered me that money now. My stomach turns. That means the other dreams are true too. This is going from bad to worse. I’m not even sure what I should do.
14
Dane
I should be in the shower with my wife, but Carter called saying he had some information and is on his way up. We’d stepped out of the shelter to come back to the room to shower and change. I have two men stationed there to protect Faith just in case, but Roman is there also. That’s the only reason I even considered leaving.
A knock sounds at the door. When I open it, I’m surprised to see my brother standing there. His hair is sticking up everywhere, and his pants look like he’s been rolling around in the dirt. I bet they are actually clean and he spent a ridiculous amount of money to purchase them looking that way. I’ll never understand the styles these days.
“What’s going on?” I ask. He steps in, giving me a one-armed hug.
“I was worried about you and I finished my finals so I’m out early.” I start to close the door behind him. The elevator dings before I shut it all the way, and I see Carter stepping off. I wait, holding it open for him.