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I nodI can do about it I've s going on right now My wedding, telling everyone about the baby, andon, tooelse

Even the worry about Hank and my brothers has to take a back seat Nofor the other shoe to drop They won't stay away forever They've lured me into a false sense of security, they'll wait, and then suddenly show up and ruin everything I can't let that happen, no matter what

I leave VJ in the hallith Tony when he informs me that Draven is now free to talk

“What can I do for you, Brooke?” Draven doesn't look up from the paperwork on his desk

I close the door and take a seat in front of his desk “The thing is,” Just tell hi to need some time off”

Now he looks up at me Draven has a curious look on his face He ave me a chance in his five-star restaurant, an opportunity to ith a top chef, who has been teachingfor time off I've only been here a couple of months!

“It won't be for a few ht up until the lastsomeone to take my place, because it'll be a few months before I can come back, then I can do that”

“Brooke,” I shut et it all out there He didn't give me the chance to tell him why I need ti soyou ti”

I s hard “I'nant However,” I sit forward intoo hard and fast I have nothing to be scared of, so why do I feel like there is? “I would never leave you in the lurch I love working here I've learned so much from everyone, but this baby”

I lowerto show, and this tinant I am so in love with the little boy inwill ever nant

“Brooke?” I look at Draven with a sht there for a ratulations on the baby”

“Thank you,”

“When's it due?”

“December” Just over a month before Gabe's first birthday

“Wow You didn't waste any ti Draven smiles at rabs the restaurants diary, flipping to the end of the year “When do you think you'll need to start your leave?”

“You're not going to fire me?”

Draven narrows his eyes “Of course, I'ood at what you do You're a fast learner, and Mario is very io”

I can feel the shocked sht now; this is what I've been working towards I know I' a chef is what I want I know it'll take a while to get to where I want to be, but knowing I' in the world!

“So,” Draven taps his pen against the diary page “When do I pencil in your leave?”

These are a, Maria”

“You really think so?” The hope in Maria's voice makes me smile

I was onGabe from Tammy when Maria called She asked if I could stop by her place Hawk is out on a run for the club, and Taer, so I had ti when she called, and I couldn't say no to her

When I arrived at Maria's house, I'd only shut the car door, and Maria was out the front door, grabbingme inside the house to her kitchen I sat at her table, and Maria pushed a bunch of papers towards ns I'd ever seen — rings, earrings, necklaces, chokers, hairpins, and even broaches