“Yeah. I knew how much you loved music, even then. A guy like Jimmy didn’t appreciate it. He was a spoiled little shit who wanted to flaunt his parents’ wealth. But you…you were obsessed with bands and music.”
His expression softened. “But then my parents gave me a portable CD player for my birthday.” I nodded. We both knew I’d given Jimmy’s to Crystal, though Ian never knew the true reason. “I never realized. You did that for me? Why?”
“Because you’re my best friend. I would’ve given you anything I had.”
His eyes clouded, his expression hardening. “And yet you took my daughter.”
“I didn’t…” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m sorry that loving her cost me your friendship. I am. But I do love her. Against all the odds, despite all the reasons we shouldn’t be together, I’m crazy about her. And that will never change.”
I didn’t know what more I could say. I’d apologized. I’d made my position clear. It was up to Ian now—either he accepted us and moved on, or he didn’t.
“I can see that,” he finally said. “And despite my reservations, you’re good for her. You’re good for each other.” I blinked a few times, certain I’d misheard. He chuckled. “Doesn’t mean it’s not still weird for me to see you two together. But…” He sighed. “I’ll try—for Sumner.”
“For Sumner.” I nodded, swallowing down the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat at his words and her approach.
“So,” Lea said, joining us with a smile. “Did we miss anything?”
Sumner placed her hand on my shoulder, and I placed mine over hers, smiling up at her. She seemed to relax, as did I. And when she took her place at the table, I felt a sense of peace, of rightness that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“I was just going to ask Jonathan if he wanted to play a game of basketball tomorrow,” Ian said, shocking the hell out of me.
Sumner flashed me a watery smile, squeezing my thigh beneath the table. “Success?” she mouthed.
I nodded. The evening had definitely been a success, and the reminder of that word brought a smile to my lips, the memory of our first coaching session coming to mind. At the time, I’d had no clue what success meant to me. I just knew how unhappy I was. So much had changed since then—and all because of this woman. Because she made me want to be a better man, not just for myself, but for her.
I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I love you.”
She turned to me, cupping my cheek in her hand. “I love you too.” She pressed her lips to mine, and I lost myself for a moment.
When she pulled away, Lea was smiling, and Ian—well, at least he wasn’t frowning. I took it as a good sign that he hadn’t walked out or tried to punch me.
As conversation resumed, I settled back, my arm resting on the back of Sumner’s chair. If Sumner had asked me to define success again today, I wouldn’t have listed the millions in my bank account or even the home I’d rebuilt using my own two hands. No, true happiness and fulfillment could only be found in the love of a good woman. Like the one at my side. And success had never tasted so sweet.
Chapter Thirty-One
Six Months Later
“I’m so proud of you,” Dad said, pulling me in for a hug.
A gust of wind nearly took my mortarboard off, and I grabbed it, holding it to my head as my cardinal-red graduation gown fluttered about my legs. Students and their families congregated nearby, everyone laughing and congratulating each other in a sea of red.
I’d skipped my graduation ceremony at MIT, so it hadn’t taken much for Jonathan to convince me to attend this one. I’d worked too long and too hard not to celebrate. But it wasn’t just the classes I’d taken or the exams I’d passed; it was the thought work I’d done.
I no longer hesitated to speak my mind, to stand my ground. And I’d discovered something interesting—the more I enforced my boundaries, the more people respected both them and me. All along, I’d been afraid of alienating the people I loved. But by being honest about who I was and what I needed, it encouraged them to do the same. To be vulnerable. And my relationships—with family and friends—had never been stronger.
Jonathan stood off to the side, hands in his pockets. I hadn’t seen him since this morning, when he’d left to play basketball with my dad and Piper’s fiancé, Mason. His gray pinstripe suit hearkened back to his days at the Wolfe Group, when I’d been his intern. It seemed like so long ago, even though it had only been two years. But so much had changed since then.
“I got some great pictures,” Piper said, Mason next to her.
“Thanks.”
“Hey, baby.” Jonathan pulled me into his side, less reticent about showing affection in front of my dad. “You ready to go?”
I nodded. “I’m hungry.”
“Me too,” Piper said.
“Good.” Lea smiled. “Because we have tons of food back at the house.”
