“He’s so strong, Miss Ginger.”
She nodded. “He has his moments. He’s fightin’ it to the very end. But he’s very aware that this is the end. He’s accepted it.”
“Well, he has you by his side, and I’ve never known a stronger woman.”
Tears glimmered in her eyes. “We’ll be fine. Now you go home and don’t worry about us.”
He hugged her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, honey.”
When he pulled back, he took her hands. “If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.”
He started to leave, but then found himself unable to. He ended up sitting in a chair by the lobby. That’s where Haven found him a half hour later.
“Hey. I didn’t know you were still here.”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “I can’t go yet.”
She nodded and took a seat next to him. “I know the feeling. I should get back to work. Mom said she’d call me when—well when it gets closer. But these are his last days. I can’t not be here.”
He took her hand and squeezed it between his. “I’m sorry, Haven.”
“Me, too. Thanks for coming. It’s meant a lot to my mom and me having you and all the guys come by. And it’s been wonderful for Dad to know that he’s that important to all of you that you’d take the time out of what I know are busy lives for all of you.”
“None of us are too busy for your dad. He’s important to all of us and always was.”
She tilted her head and smiled up at him. “We all had good times together in college, didn’t we?”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Though all of you gave me a hard time.”
“What? I never gave you a hard time. That was Trevor.”
“Please. You teased me mercilessly. And especially Trevor, who tried to bribe me to do his schoolwork for him.”
“Yeah, well, school definitely wasn’t his thing.”
She laughed. “Clearly. And look at him now. The superstud superstar.”
“A legend in his own mind.”
She laughed at that. “My hope is to someday be in a position to shove a microphone in his face and make him as uncomfortable as humanly possible.”
“Well, you are in broadcasting. And he’s in sports. It could happen.”
“If things go well with this new national job I’m in line for, it could definitely happen.”
“Oh, yeah? What new job?”
“National sportscaster.”
“No shit?”
She grinned. “No shit. I don’t want to talk too much about it in case it doesn’t happen, but my fingers are crossed.”
Haven was gorgeous. Tall, curvy in all the right places, short raven hair, the most amazing blue eyes he’d ever seen, and just about the smartest and savviest woman he’d ever known. She was on-topic on any subject, and she knew sports as well as any guy. “You’d be perfect for the job, Haven. I hope you get it.”
“Thanks. Me, too.”
“Have you told your dad about the opportunity?”
“Yes. He’s very excited for me, but also sad he won’t get to see me make the big time as a sportscaster.”
He squeezed her hand again. “He’ll be there watching over you, honey.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I know he will.”
Not wanting to monopolize her time, and knowing he had a plane to catch, Drew finally stood. “I guess I should head out.”
Haven hugged him. “Thanks again for coming today.”
“Stay in touch, okay?” he asked as he hugged her back.
“I will.”
He went down to the parking lot and climbed into his rental, but found himself staring up at the hospital, still unable to leave, to make that final break from Bill. He finally just dropped the keys in his lap and released the tears he’d held in check.
TWENTY-EIGHT
“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S HERE, CAROLINA. YOUR DAY HAS finally arrived.”
Carolina took in a deep breath, knowing it was probably the last time today she’d be able to breathe. She turned to her assistants and nodded. “It is. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”
Edward pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “You made this happen, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited as hell to be here.”
“You’re going to knock them dead out there, Carolina,” Tierra said. “And like Edward, I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
“Thank you. Both of you. Now let’s go get everyone dressed. Is makeup here?”
Tierra nodded. “Just arrived. Hair people are here, too. And Jessica is checking in the models.”
At least something was going right.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
She turned and gave a quick hug to her brother. “You made it.”
“Of course I did.”
“Are Mom and Evelyn here?”
“Yes. Mom’s so excited she couldn’t stop talking.”
Carolina grinned. “That’s great. I’ll go check on her.”