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“You didn’t!”
“Who else knows?” He slid her a glare.
“Come on. You know me. I’m assuming that’s the real reason she left? Because she proposed and you said no?”
“You’ve always been the smart one.”
“What a gesture.” She smiled softly. “That was really sweet.”
“Addison has a huge heart.”
“Why’d you say no?”
He chuffed and this time watched her for a beat before watching the road again. “Are you serious? You think I should have agreed to marry her?”
“Why not?” Gia shrugged.
“Uh, hello, my divorced sister. Don’t you have a list of reasons why not to marry?”
“Jayson and I are different.” She waved a hand. “Stop changing the subject. Just because my marriage didn’t work out doesn’t mean I don’t want you and Royce to be happy. Don’t you love her?”
“Love is a big word with a lot of bigger consequences, Gia. I don’t understand this need to label and define everything. Why can’t Addi and I just be together? Be present in the moment?”
“Because, you jackass, being ‘in the moment’ leads to a future,” his sister said as he pulled into their parents’ driveway. “People are who they are. You can’t cordon off only the parts of them you want. And you shouldn’t.”
Bran sighed, tired. “All I know is that being around her made me happy.”
“Yeah. I know that, too.” She touched his hand. “Sorry, bro. It’s hard for a lot of people to compartmentalize. Except for me. I handle that like a boss.”
“You are the coolest,” he said, meaning it.
His mom and dad had hired caterers and the entire open-air patio smelled like grilled meat and veggies. Once the family table was set, Bran lifted his beer to another of his father’s toasts.
“My family,” Jack said. “I love you all.”
Royce sent Bran a bland look that Bran mimicked. Their father so enjoyed grandstanding. While he went on and on about how much he adored the legacy he was building and the great role his family played in it, Bran took a look around the table.
His father and his mother, Macy. Royce and Taylor. Gia and Jayson, even though they weren’t together, were sitting next to each other.
If Addison hadn’t been so damn stubborn, she could have been a part of this. Isn’t that what she claimed she wanted? To be part of a big, loving family? It hadn’t been easy for him to call her and offer her a seat at this table tonight, but he’d done it. For her.
Evidently she wanted all or nothing. He didn’t understand. Wasn’t some better than none? He hadn’t landed CEO, and as a result, found that the role of president suited him better. If Addi would open up to the possibility of having some of what she asked for, she could have almost everything she wanted. Sometimes almost was as close as you got.
Frustrated, Bran excused himself from the table, taking his wineglass and half a bottle of cabernet sauvignon with him. He tracked to the stone firepit at the edge of the hill overlooking acres and acres of vineyards.
The sun was waning, the air chilling. He refilled his glass and plopped down in the grass to watch it disappear completely.
“What’s up, man?” came Jayson’s low voice a minute later.
“I’m not sharing,” Bran told him, eyes on the sunset.
“Brought my own.” Jayson settled next to him and rested a bottle of wine on the edge of the firepit. It would be a good night to light it. The air was brisk up here.
“What happened, Coop? Did you draw the short straw?” Bran took a swig of wine.
“Are you kidding? No one wants to talk to you when you’re moping.”
“I’m not moping. I wanted to be alone. There’s a difference.”
