Morgan. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
“No worries, mate. She looked tired and he looked smug. God, I wish I could have decked the prick,” Morgan said.
“You’re not the only one. But I’m glad you didn’t. He’s not worth it.” He paused before adding, “Did he pay by cash?”
Morgan laughed. “No. But he had two cards rejected before the third one accepted the charge.”
Brent smiled. “I hope you made a big deal out of the cards bouncing.”
“What do you think?” Morgan chuckled. “Of course I did.”
“Thanks for keeping me in the loop tonight.”
“Not a problem. Just tell me you’re going to do something about Vee soon.”
He stilled. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Brent. Wade isn’t going to beat the crap out of you if you go after his little sister now. Not like he would have when she was a teenager.”
Morgan knew? “How?”
“Jesus, mate. Anyone looking can see it. Although for some reason I think Wade is still completely oblivious.” Morgan’s sigh travelled over the line. “Look, I know something happened years ago. I don’t know details and I don’t want to know, but I do know this. Whatever the fuck you did to screw it up, you didn’t kill Vee’s feelings.”
He laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Ah, goes to show what you know. She hates me with a passion.”
“Exactly.”
“What?”
“There’s a fine line between love and hate, my friend, and our lovely Valentine is very much in love with you.”
“Bullshit.”
“Brent, do you honestly think I’d lie about this? This is Vee we’re talking about. I’d protect her with my life if I had to. She’s like a sister to me and I want her happy. And as much as it pains me to admit, I think you’re what will make her happy. Well after she makes you beg for forgiveness, of course. You deserve to beg, Brent.”
He swallowed hard. “I never meant to hurt her. If it’s any consolation, I think I’ve suffered more than she has over the whole thing.”
“Not a consolation, but then it’s not me you need to convince, is it?”
“No.”
“Look, I gotta go. Good luck winning her over.”
Morgan hung up before he could say any more.
Dropping the phone back on the counter, he walked over to the window and stared out over the water.
Sydney Harbour was quiet this time of night, but a few lights bobbed on the surface as boats made their way from one port to another. On any other night the view soothed him.
Not tonight.
Too much was riding on what happened between now and sunrise. If the only thing he got out of the confrontation with Vee was her friendship, he’d have to accept her decision.
But it wouldn’t stop him from using everything he had to convince her they could have so much more.
For the first time since she moved in, he felt settled. He knew the road ahead would be bumpy, but he had a destination in mind and he was determined to get there.
The next time she went out on one of her dates, he’d be damned if it would be with anyone but him.
