“Yeah, but that was different, and you know it.”
“I do,” Pierce said, and I sensed there was something he wasn’t telling me.
I’d always suspected there was more to Graham and Lily’s marriage, but if my brother was happy and the board hadforked over the shares, I wasn’t going to pry. What was done was done, and sometimes it was better not to know.
“She was his former assistant.”
“Exactly,” Pierce said. “Former. As in she didn’t work for him anymore. Because he always put this company first.”
Well, shit. If Pierce was trying to make me feel guilty, it was working. My brother, Graham, had asked me to be his successor. He’d trusted me to lead the family business and protect the family legacy, and here I was threatening to undermine all of that. And for what? A woman I wasn’t even sure wanted a relationship with me.
“You’re right,” I said, feeling defeated. “It’s a bad idea.”
“The worst,” Pierce said in a stern tone. “You asked for my advice, and I’m telling you flat out. Don’t do it.”
“I know. I know.” I dragged a hand through my hair. “I get it. Okay.”
“Do you?” He leaned forward, gaze homed in on mine.
I nodded.
“Good,” he said, and I knew it was meant as a threat. Stay in line or else this ends badly for all of us.
The sun glintedoff the water as we cruised away from the shore. My family and I, along with a few guests, were spending the afternoon on Knox’s yacht, enjoying some time together.
I was half paying attention to the conversation because I was too distracted—yet again—by Halle, who was sitting on the other side of the deck. At least, I was, until Kendall’s question caught me off guard.
“A bachelor auction?” I practically choked on my beer. Iwas careful to keep my voice low so Halle wouldn’t overhear. “You want me to participate in a bachelor auction?”
“Bachelorx,” my sister-in-law Kendall corrected, adjusting her son, Leo, on her hip. “The steering committee wants it to be an inclusive event.”
“So does that mean there will be both men and women on the auction block?” Astrid asked, joining us, wiggling her fingers at Leo, and he gave her a big, toothy smile.
Astrid was family by extension. Her twin, Emerson, was married to Nate. And while my family had not-so-gently hinted that Astrid and I should date, I wasn’t interested. I wasn’t interested in anyone who wasn’t Halle.
“Yes,” Kendall said. “But they also want it to be welcoming to all, including gender nonconforming, queer, or nonbinary people.”
“It’s going to be amazing.” Emerson gave Kendall a squeeze. “I know it.”
“I hope so. This is my first year serving on the board of the Huxley Family Foundation.” Kendall smiled as Knox took Leo from her, but her attention remained on me. “And I really want it to be a success.”
She twisted her hands together, and I got the feeling she was anxious. I softened, empathizing with her now more than ever. I understood what that was like—taking on a new role and needing to be successful.
“I appreciate your dedication,mi cielo,” Knox said, wrapping his free arm around Kendall and pressing a kiss to her temple. “We all do. But it’s not all on you.” He might be talking to her, but he was looking at me when he spoke those words.
“He’s right,” Nate said. “This is the family charity, and we all need to do our part.” He gave me a meaningful look.
Well, shit. Talk about peer pressure. This was beginningto feel like an ambush. I needed to shut down this conversation before it went any further.
I peered over my shoulder. Currently, Halle was occupied with Kai. They were playing a game with my niece, Brooklyn, as well as my nephew, Jude, his wife, and their son Ezra.
Halle looked so open and carefree. And yet with me, she’d put up a wall, and I had no idea how to break it down or if I even could. But every time she ruffled Kai’s hair or smiled, I wanted to try.
I wanted to be the person Halle came to with her problems. The person she trusted to let herself fall apart. To come undone.
She’d let me be that for her once—briefly. And it was something I’d never taken for granted. Something I would’ve given anything to have again.
There has to be a way.
