CHAPTER 20

“You weren’t to blame for your father, and you weren’t to blame for any of the lies Keira told. And you’ve supported her in every way you possibly could. Until we both realized just how bad her lies really were.” He kissed her knuckles so gently she wanted to melt into him. “God, I am so sorry for all her crap.”

“Thank you for saying that. But don’t you see? I’ve always taken her crap because it was easier than standing up, or pushing back, or

going for the life and the love I truly wanted.” She shook her head, feeling the weight of all the things she hadn’t done. But that

ended now. “I’m done with all that. I’m done letting fear and excuses and, most especially, guilt hold me back.”

She wouldn’t wimp out this time. Not if there was a chance that she and Ares could make things work.

She’d been a wimp nine years ago—and look how that had turned out.

It was finally time to be bold.

They’d pulled up to her condo by the time she looked him square in the eye and said, “I’d love to go to Chicago with you and your

family.”

“What did I do that was good enough to deserve you, Keira?”

She smiled then, despite the heavy tension of unrequited desire in the air between them. “Everything good, Ares. Everything.”

Then she kissed him on the cheek and slipped out of the car before he could argue with her.

Her fight for his heart was definitely on.

A fight she hoped both of them would win in the end.

They arrived at Sally and George’s at two thirty Saturday afternoon. “How was the flight, dear?” Sally’s smile was so bright it lit up

the room.

“Good.” Ares smiled, giving her a hug.

Tessa, Tyler, and Kathy had been utterly awed by his luxurious private plane stocked with gourmet food and drinks. Ares had done

his best to make them all feel comfortable, but as he had an important Baddrick contract the other guys were waiting on him to

review, Kelsey was the one who truly smoothed the way for the three newcomers.

All the while, Ares had been almost painfully aware of Kelsey. How good she looked in her jeans and sweater. How soft her hair was

when she flipped it over her shoulder, a few strands brushing his face. How beautiful her eyes were when she smiled. How lovely the

sound of her laughter. On top of that, Kelsey’s fragrance had been something new, light and fruity and more intoxicating than the champagne they were drinking.

Every time they’d been together since New Year’s was still fresh inside his head, his heart. It wasn’t just their attraction that drew

him to her. It was the way she made him think. It was how brave she was in facing up to her past mistakes with her sister and her

father. It was how confident she was that anything truly was possible.

God, how she must have suffered over that promise she’d made to her mother. He should have known there’d been something like

that in her past. But she was so strong, so courageous, so caring. Take the treat she’d planned in San Diego, suggesting they see

Andrei Wyeth together. No one else would have known how much that would mean to him. But Kelsey did. She was everything a

man could need.

But she needed a man who was worthy of her.

And now he needed to get it together. Especially when he was in the same room with Susan.

While George was hanging up coats and jackets, Ares made the introductions. “Meet my brother, Tyler, and my sister, Kathy.” He

felt proud saying it. Tessa had done a good job there.

“Oh my Lord.” Sally grabbed Tyler’s arms, held on to him as she looked up into his face. “You’re the spitting image of Ares.” Then

she took Kathy’s hand. “You’re beautiful, honey.”

Kelsey blushed. “Thank you.”

“I can’t wait to get to know you both better. Ares is so proud of the two of you.” Then she passed them on to George, who gave them

each a big bear hug. That was where Hector had learned how to hug, from his dad.

“And Tessa.” She’d hung back, still shy and hesitant, despite Kelsey’s cheerful chatter on the flight. Sally took Tessa’s hand in both

of hers. “It is so lovely to finally meet you.”

“Thank you. You too.” But when Tessa’s eyes met Ares again, he read her clear confusion: How can she think it’s lovely to meet me

when I abandoned my son to her?

Though Tessa had heard of Sally back in the neighborhood and knew she was a good woman, she couldn’t possibly comprehend

Sally’s amazing capacity to love, her willingness to forgive a wrong, her need to make things right. If it was in her power, Sally

would make this right too. It was why they were here, after all.

Ares wasn’t sure anyone had that power. Not Kelsey. Not even Sally. No matter how good their intentions.

“Kelsey, honey.” Susan opened her arms again. “Come give me a hug. I haven’t seen you since last year.”

Kelsey laughed as they hugged. “Last year was only a week ago.”

It seemed like a lifetime. A week ago, he hadn’t kissed Kelsey, hadn’t held her or tasted her skin, hadn’t dreamed of her, hadn’t

needed to hear her laughter more than he needed food or water or air.

And he hadn’t known he had a family besides the Baddricks.

Sally herded them into the great room. “Have you eaten?”

“You wouldn’t believe the food they served on Ares plane,” Kathy said with a smile that was still more than slightly awed. “And champagne too!”

He smiled indulgently, feeling a tug on his heartstrings. He still couldn’t quite believe he had a sister. Or that she could be so fun, so

smart, so pretty.

“If you get hungry again, I’ve put out a few snacks.” Sally’s version of snacks was a smorgasbord of guacamole and chips, spinach

dip with French bread, a platter of shrimp, and bowls of nuts on the coffee table. She’d spent years feeding five hungry teenage boys,

after all. “Now come in, make yourselves at home.” The massive fireplace and brickwork filled one wall, and a blaze was pumping

warmth into the room accompanied by the pleasant crackle of the fire.

Tessa sat on one end of the sectional sofa, and Sally took a place next to her. Tyler relaxed into the couch on Sally’s right. George

had pulled chairs to the other side of the coffee table, but before Ares could take one of the seats, George sat with Kathy beside him.

That left a corner of the couch for Ares, with Kelsey next to him. Which, truthfully, was right where he wanted her to be.

“I want to hear all about raising twins,” Sally said to Tessa. “I’ve always marveled at parents who manage such a feat.” The way she

said it, you wouldn’t have thought she’d raised six kids herself.