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“What did April say when you told her?” Kat asks.

“April’s past makes it difficult for her to trust. People she loved have let her down. First her birth mother, then her foster parents. I think she wants to believe me, I get that.” I tell them honestly.

“And you, dear brother, until April, have been a commitment phobe,” Harper says.

I tilt my head at my sister. “Thanks, sis.”

But she’s right. I never believed I could find love until now.

“You’re welcome,” she says with a grin.

I take a sip of the wine the waiter has poured, staring at the liquid.

“How can I make her believe I’m not going to simply walk away when and if the going gets tough? Let her know my playboy days are over. She’s the only woman I want. Will ever want.”

I look across the table at my older sister.

“Are we doomed?” My heart rate picks up at the thought of losing April.

Kat smiles and shakes her head. “No. Don’t be so dramatic! April has spent much of her life emotionally alone. She moved families, grew to trust and feel safe, then she moved again. All you can do, is what you’re doing now. Be there for her. Make her laugh. Support her. Love her… be your annoyingly cheerful self. Show her, she’s no longer alone, that you have her back. That we all do. But also remember April isn’t used to our world,” She pauses and leans forward, resting her hand on my arm. “Caleb, you’re my brother, and I love you dearly, but that playboy image of yours was always going to bite you in the ass one day. You need to be patient, give her time. There’s no rush. She’s not going anywhere. If April comes to you, your relationship will be cemented. If you force it, she may always have doubts. But also remember, if you come out to the world, you’ll be thrusting her and her past into the limelight. You chose to put yourself in the spotlight, April hasn’t. She needs to know you’ll have her back whatever happens. This is a big deal for her.”

Shit, she’s right.

I run a hand down my face, knowing my sister speaks the truth, never one to beat around the bush.

I’ve invited the press in for years. What until now has worked in my favour, could very well be what destroys my future. My father warned me years ago, when I first opened that door, I’d never be able to shut it again. The press willtake the good, the bad and the ugly if you let them. I just pray I can protect April from it.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table, cradling my head.

Harper huffs, making me look up. “April isn’t a wounded bird in need of rescuing. She’s a grown ass woman, who has spent her entire life rescuing herself. She’s independent and strong. A survivor. You’ve said so yourself. April loves you. Anyone with eyes in their head can see that. But you, my dear brother, hold all the cards.”

I stare at my little sister, my mouth slightly agape.

“What Harper is trying to say, I think,” Kat pipes in. “Is, maybe April doesn’t want to mistake love for being indebted to you.”

I look between my sisters.

Are they right? Have I swept in?

I’ve done it from a place of love. I’d do anything for her. Isn’t that what you do when you love someone?

“If you want to show her you love her, just be there for her. Show her you’ve changed. April has been let down all her life, she needs to see you are dependable, you trust her judgement and her feelings. Let her realise she loves you and can’t live without you.”

My heart stutters in my chest.

What if I have to let her go?

No, that’s not an option. I love her. I know she loves me. She shows me every time she lets me into her body, when she laughs at my terrible jokes, when she snuggles into my side. We’re connected.

When I think of her leaving, my heart clenches, and pain, unlike anything I’ve felt before rips through my chest.

“Think about it,” Kat says, squeezing my hand. “Talk to her. But be prepared. You may need to let her go so she can find her way back to you.”

CHAPTER 70

APRIL

Ithrow my bag down and pick up my phone. One thing this past two weeks away has told me is, I love Caleb Frazer, and I want to be with him. No more messing. I’m all in.