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“I’m your sister now. I will rock your babies and tell you when you’re being stupid, and I will love you for the rest of my life. Because we’re kindred spirits, and I think you’re the bee’s fucking knees.”
“God, I love you, too,” he says and pulls me in for a big hug. “And you forgot that you’ll be my business partner.”
“That’s an unspoken truth,” I reply with a smile. “We go look at office space on Monday. So go enjoy marital bliss for the next thirty-six-ish hours so we can get the business started, and then you can go to Aruba. Or Hawaii. Or wherever it is you’re going.”
“Norway,” he replies with a smile.
“Norway?” I echo. “It’s winter there.”
“And the Northern Lights will be so romantic. Brandon found a glass igloo that you can stay in and sleep under the Northern Lights. Tell me that’s not amazing.”
“It’s not tropical,” I reply, thinking it over. “And it sounds damn cold. But, yeah, it sounds amazing, too. Do they wear wooden shoes there?”
“Wooden—oh. No, silly, that’s the Netherlands. But I don’t think they wear wooden shoes there anymore, either. We really need to work on your geography.”
“You’re right. Did I tell you that I’m going to Iceland for Christmas with the family?”
“Oh, my God. You’ll totally get to see the Northern Lights!”
“Yay for me.” I press my lips together and then laugh. “How didn’t I know that you had a thing for the aurora borealis?”
“I don’t,” he says simply. “But B does, and if that’s what he wants, that’s what he’ll get.”
“Okay, you’re sweet.”
He grins and then nods when Brandon signals to him. “I am when it comes to him. Looks like we’re headed out.”
“Have a wonderful night. I’ll see you Monday.”
Chapter 18
Gray
The door closes behind her, and I blow out a long breath. Jesus, what did I just do? How did I manage to fuck it up again?
She says that I don’t get it. But I think I understand just fine. She’s mad that I did something without asking her first. I apologized. Now we move on, and she can still sue all the assholes who hurt her.
She deserves to recoup her money from that bitch.
In my opinion, it’s Stella who doesn’t understand.
Just as I reach out to pull the door open and run after her, my phone rings. When I check it, I see it’s my dad.
“Hey, Dad, this isn’t a great time. I’m at a wedding.”
“Sorry, I wanted to let you know that your mom fell again this evening.”
“What?” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Tell me she didn’t break anything.”
“No breaks,” he replies. “But she was disoriented. I think she’s having a bad reaction to her Alzheimer’s medication. She’ll be in the hospital for a couple of days.”
“I’m coming home.”
“You can’t keep going back and forth, Gray. Nothing about this situation is urgent, I just wanted you to be aware of what’s going on.”
“I’m on my way,” I insist. “I’ll be there by morning.”
“Keep me posted on the drive. And for God’s sake, be careful, Gray.”
I hurry out to the reception and see that Brandon is about to leave with Danny. I catch his eye and flag him down.
“Hey, man, I have to go. My mom fell again, so I’m headed back to Idaho.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. Need me to let the office know?”
“Hell, no, you just got married.”
He grins and then shrugs a shoulder. “Yeah, well, I’m going into the office on Monday, so it’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it, and let me know how she is, yeah?”
“Yeah, I will. Thanks. And congratulations, B. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.” He smiles as Danny joins him. “We’re sneaking out of here, too. Drive safely.”
I nod and, without another thought, hurry out to my car and take off my jacket and tie, loosening the buttons around my neck as I get into the driver’s seat.
Before I take off, I dial Willie’s number.
“Wassup, bro?”
“Why does it sound like you’re at a party?”
“Maybe because I’m at a party? Don’t worry, Grams knows. You okay?”
He may be a typical teenager, but he’s a good-hearted one.
“I wanted to let you know that I have to go back to Idaho tonight, and I don’t know when I’ll be back. Probably just a few days.”
“You’re gonna drive all that way alone? Want me to ride with you?”
I grin. “Nah, I’m good this time. But maybe keep an eye on my place in case someone tries to squat there or something?”
I hear him smirk. “Right. There will be a line of squatters just waiting to get in. Sure, I’ll keep an eye out. Any food you want to get eaten so it doesn’t go bad? I’m a good friend like that.”
“You can go raid the fridge, sure. Thanks, man.”
“You bet. See ya on the flip side.”
