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“I will.”
“I’ll see you later.”
“Good night.”
He smiled back over his shoulder as he let himself out, and she locked the door and leaned back against it. That had gone way better than she’d expected.
She took the glass to the sink and decided to sleep in her bed for once, not minding the memories of Duncan that floated around in her brain tonight.
Her stomach flipped when she thought about facing his family. At least Shannon and Nana knew and were on her side. She didn’t doubt that his parents would be supportive, but the idea of standing before them with this kind of news felt more than a little intimidating.
Chapter 20
As usual, the sun came up, the birds chirped outside Duncan’s window, the wind gently rustled the leaves in the trees, and the scent of coffee wafted through the house. Papa was at the kitchen table with his nose buried in a newspaper, Mama was reading her daily devotions, and Nana sat on the back porch with her morning tea and a book. But today was not like any other day. Not for Duncan.
After the shock of Jamie’s news had worn off, their conversation at her apartment had given him the answers he needed and had also reminded him why he’d always liked her. She had a lightness about her, an ability to laugh, even in the middle of the most difficult situations.
He wished he was more like her. He’d tossed and turned all night, thinking about the next hard conversation he needed to have, trying to come up with the right words to say to Dréa. He wasn’t sure how she would take it because he didn’t know her well enough to anticipate her reaction.
He knew it needed to happen in a private place, without people around, so they could talk openly with no interruptions. He wasn’t sure when or where, but the sooner the better so they could move forward. No matter what her decision.
As he was about to head to her hotel, the front door opened, and Dréa walked in with her parents, carrying bagels and coffee.
“Good morning.” She greeted him with a smile, and he wondered if it was the last one she would ever give him.
“I was coming to the hotel to get you.”
“Why?” She whooshed past him into the kitchen and set breakfast on the counter. “I told you we’d be over in the morning.”
He followed her. “I wanted some alone time.”
She spun around and sauntered toward him, slipping her hands around his neck. “Why didn’t you just say so?” Her lips pressed against his in a sweet kiss, which he tried his best to return, but he couldn’t manage much enthusiasm. She pulled back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Now was not the time.
Dréa wandered leisurely to the porch, and Duncan could hear her chatting with Nana. He helped himself to a bagel and coffee and joined them, stopping in the doorway to catch their conversation about favorite Jane Austen books since Nana was reading Sense and Sensibility for probably the hundredth time.
“Pride and Prejudice is my favorite.” Dréa looked over at Duncan. “Are you my Mr. Darcy?” She winked.
The women in his family had subjected him to more Jane Austen movies than he’d ever cared to see, so he was familiar with the men of those stories. “I think I’m more Willoughby than Darcy,” he replied under his breath.
She glanced up with quirked brow. “What was that?”
He shook his head and took a seat, finishing off his bagel and coffee while the ladies chatted. His eyes kept landing on the clock, watching the hands creep down from nine. When they hit nine-thirty, he could stand it no longer. He stood and held his hand out to Dréa.
“Can we go somewhere and talk?”
She glanced up at him. “Sure. See you later, Nana.”
“Of course, dear,” Nana replied.
Duncan caught Nana’s eye, and she gave him an encouraging smile as Dréa took his hand and followed him into the house.
“We’re going for a drive,” he called out to their folks as he moved toward the front door.
“Okay, drive safe,” Mama replied.
He glanced over at his fiancée and saw her concern.