Reece grunts. “You owe him jack shit. He might have got you the first audition, but your success sells you. Not him. He’s flying around the world on your dime, and wants to interfere enough to drive the mother of your kid away. Don’t let him.”

I nod. “I won’t. I guess I just needed to hear that.”

“You spent years wondering what happened to Delaney. Now you know and you have her back. Don’t let anything get in the way of that.”

I smile. “When did you become such a big advocate for love, Mr. Love-Them-and-Leave-Them?”

Reece grins. “I always figured she must have been something special from the way you were hung up on her. Never thought you’d get another opportunity with her. I’d never let a woman go who had that kind of impact on me.”

I give a little sigh thinking of Delaney. Reece stood by me when I was so miserable over her leaving, and our friendship was one of the reasons I kept going.

“Don’t give her a reason to walk away again. She clearly doesn’t give a shit about money or she would have been after you years ago for child support.”

“I never had any doubt about that. She loves me for me.”

“Then kick that asshole to the kerb and start your life with her. And give Sara a call.”

I chuckle. Sara’s Reece’s agent. She’s solid, and she doesn’t take shit from him. He’s been trying to get her into bed since they met, but she’s focused on his career and her other clients. And she’s the perfect person to sign up with. “Even if I do, she still won’t sleep with you.”

“Maybe not, but it’d be worth some brownie points. She’s good at her job and she won’t rip you off.” He pauses. “Anyway, where is Delaney? I need to meet her.”

“She went for a walk this morning to the markets. She was pretty pissed at me.”

“At you? Why?”

I hesitate for a moment. Just like I did this morning. “She told me about Mac and thought I didn’t believe her. I did, it was just hard to hear.”

“And you let her go?”

“She was steamed. I couldn’t forbid her from going.”

“Yeah, but she thinks you think she’s a liar.”

I shake my head. “I told her I believe her.”

“You’d better sort things out. I’m living vicariously through you right now.” He laughs.

“I will. But I need to give my lawyer a call and catch up with Mac. While Delaney’s cooling down, I need to get this fixed.”

“Huh,” he says. “You really do love her. I’ve been trying to talk you out of staying with him forever.”

I nod. “I know. Sometimes you just need the right wake-up call.”