Read Online Johnson Family 2: Perfect by Delaney Diamond - Free Book Online

up this pace.”
    “Says who?”
    She sighed wearily, as if talking to an obstinate child. “You need to take care of yourself. You’re not indestructible. Remember what happened before.”
    Of all his siblings, Ivy was definitely the biggest worrier. Perhaps it was the nurturing part of her personality, but she always wanted to make sure everyone else was doing okay. It had been years since the incident she referenced, but Ivy was prone to bringing it up. During a short period in his life, he’d become vulnerable, and he’d much prefer to forget it and never go through the experience again.
    “I’m fine. I eat right and I exercise.”
    “Rest has to be part of the equation, too.”
    “I’ll rest when I’m dead,” he said, to which she frowned. He changed the subject. The conversation about working too hard had been belabored to death. “Did Trenton stop by?”
    “He did and gave Katie her gift.”
    “So he actually made time.”
    “I think he realized he didn’t have a choice after the tongue-lashing you gave him when he said he didn’t have time to attend a child’s birthday party. And just so you know, Xavier called and wished her a happy birthday.” Xavier was the second oldest.
    “Glad to know he took a minute from saving the world to make his niece happy. What about your twin?”
    Ivy’s eyes clouded over. “We didn’t hear from him.”
    That response displeased Cyrus. Gavin could have spared a few minutes to call his niece. Cyrus had also been annoyed when Ivy told him Gavin didn’t know if he could make it to her engagement party. Whatever Gavin was doing was not nearly as important as making sure Katie experienced all the attention she deserved on her special day or making Ivy happy on hers.
    “Finally, another man,” a relieved male voice said behind him. Cyrus turned to see Lucas, his sister’s fiancé and Katie’s father, coming toward them with a grocery sack in his hand. “I was hoping when I came back from the store there’d be another man here. Tell me you’re staying.”
    Lucas lived in Atlanta, but he visited Seattle often. At first, Cyrus hadn’t cared for him, suspecting he could be one of the many users who came into their lives, but he’d turned out to not be so bad after all. Not only had he been good for Ivy, his relationship with Katie had grown strong. Based on his treatment of them, he’d earned Cyrus’s respect, and he had to give the man credit for keeping such a good attitude despite the initial opposition from Cyrus to having him in their lives.
    “I came to give Katie her birthday gift,” Cyrus replied. “I’ve got work to do, so you’re on your own.”
    “You’re stuck with us females,” Ivy said to Lucas, looking at him with love in her eyes.
    Cyrus took this as his cue to depart. He said goodbye and waved at his niece.
    On his way inside, he turned back to tell Ivy to save him a piece of cake, and caught her and Lucas in a kiss. He lingered, observing the affection between them. When they withdrew, Lucas whispered something to her and Ivy laughed. Lucas then pulled her close again, this time for a kiss to the forehead.
    Cyrus turned away from the sight. He and Daniella had been like them once—or at least close to it. Until she’d grown tired of him. He rubbed away the sharp prick of pain that jabbed his chest.
    It was his fault his marriage had broken down. His fault spirited debates over politics and religion were no longer shared over breakfast. His fault he could no longer sit beside her at business dinners and listen, proudly, as she held her own against captains of industry. Intelligent, articulate, and beautiful. The type of woman any man would be proud to call his own. His fault he could no longer wake up next to her or feel her warm body curl into his, seeking warmth in his arms.
    But he would change the situation. Soon.
    In his office, he pulled off his jacket and placed the damp garment on the wooden coat tree in the corner. He dropped