I place my index finger over my lips. “If we can keep that between us, I’d appreciate it.”
“We have it on the desk. We can get it back to you this evening,” Chloe says.
I close my eyes for a brief second as I try to control my impatience. I don’t think I’ve ever had to convince someone to take my money before. Maybe that’s something they learn inthis town. Now, instead of feeling like my money is a burden, I see it as a benefit.
What if they know who I am? Will they keep treating me the same way?
“Think of it as a donation for taking me in for so long. And a ‘pay it forward’ type of thing.”
Chloe and Brock turn to each other, seeming to communicate without words. It’s impressive, and I might be a little jealous.
“Thank you, Max,” Chloe says, stepping forward to give me a quick hug. Brock gives me a strong handshake, and I can’t help but feel like these two deserve everything good in the world.
“I can only imagine the panic you two have been in, especially this close to the busy season.”
There’s movement to my side, and I turn to see Avery approach, leaning in to give Chloe a hug. It’s only now, after she hugged me earlier that I realize that’s her calling card.
I wouldn’t mind another from her.
“How are you guys doing? Max said you had a leak?” she asks.
“We did, but we got it figured out. How are things going for you?” Chloe asks her.
“Better now that I’ve tweaked a few things and turned the place more into a coffee shop than a gift store,” Avery admits, glancing at me with a knowing smile.
She laughs softly. “I know how that goes. Sometimes we get attached to something and refuse to change it, but things work themselves out in the end.”
“Is that what happened with your bed-and-breakfast?”
Chloe grins. “No, just with my relationship with Brock.” She winks at him, and Brock rolls his eyes affectionately. “It’s one of those things I’m grateful for every day. And soon, I’ll have something else to be grateful for.”
She pats her stomach gently.
Avery gasps and pulls her into a hug. “Congratulations! That’s amazing. When are you due?”
“Around Christmas.”
Brock grins. “So we’ll get the best present ever.”
He and I are pretty close in age, and it makes me wonder if I would be in a similar situation had I not dedicated most of my life to my business. There are a few seconds of panic, as if I’m behind on what I should be doing, and I have to back up and take a deep breath.
I think of Victoria. There’s no way we could do something like that. I don’t even know if she’d want to have kids, which is the main reason my parents want me to get married in the first place.
Brock and Chloe say goodbye and head over to another group to chat.
I grab a cup and pour some soda into it, staying close to the outskirts of the group. There are so many things I need to figure out, and so far, I’ve only been pushing them off, hoping that I can keep living this dream as long as possible. If my father is bugging Aiden as much as he is, I can only imagine how he is toward the employees of my company.
Pulling out my phone, I start walking down the sidewalk as I call my father. I’m surprised that he answers on the second ring since he doesn’t typically answer numbers he doesn’t recognize.
“Hello?”
“It’s Max,” I say.
There’s an audible sigh of relief, and he says, “Are you heading to the airport? We’ll send a car to pick you up.”
I brace myself for whatever is to come. I need to stand up for myself just like I do for my employees and my company.
“I’m not going to marry Victoria, Dad.”
