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His lips thinned, but not enough to wipe his smile away. She was amazed her mother didn’t share that tidbit with him. Bradley should’ve known Brick had tagged along.
“And how did he like that? I can’t imagine him enjoying something so…”
Her smile brightened as he struggled with his words. “So…what?”
“So different from what he’s used to.”
She imagined he had something else to say but didn’t press forward to get it out of him. Why create chaos too soon?
“He’s always up for something new and out of his comfort zone. We have so much fun together. I look forward to the next fifty or more years with him.”
Oh, she did.
A lifetime with Brick would never be enough. He brightened her world in so many ways it was hard to imagine how she lived so long without him. He made her feel beautiful, inside and out. His encouragement in her dreams was enough to know he was the one. He pushed her to be the best she could be and be damned who thought otherwise.
So unapologetic and true to himself. She aimed to be as wonderful as him in that aspect. It would take time, but with his support, she’d get there in her belief she could become a Broadway star.
Bradley’s eyes glided until they landed on her hand wrapped around the glass she had yet to drink.
“Where’s your ring? No problems I hope. I expected him to join us. He’s been attached to you like…”
Oh, poor Bradley. Having such a hard time choosing his words. She knew he knew Brick wouldn’t join them. It irked her that he was pretending otherwise.
“Like?”
He wanted to speak his mind, he better well just do it.
“Like a little lap dog.”
Well, that was rude. It surprised her he actually said it.
“It needed to be resized. It was a bit loose and I was afraid it would fall off.”
She chose to ignore his dig at Brick, even though she had demanded it. Nothing good would come from them attacking each other with harsh words. While she would never be in a relationship with Bradley as he pictured, she didn’t want to be at odds with him either.
He made an odd humming sound, as if not believing her but said nothing further about it.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.” His lips widened into a charming smile as if that would help him persuade her into his way of thinking.
She had no intention of following whatever he wanted, although she’d listen.
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
He reached out and grabbed her hand, prying it from the glass.
“You.”
* * *
Brick’s heartpounded vigorously compared to the last time he knocked on his brother’s door.
Because he had to apologize. He had to grovel and beg his brother’s forgiveness for not believing in him.
He had taken his grandmother’s word that Corey stole the money without inquiring how she knew. Brick should’ve known his father had a hand in it. His father had always merely tolerated Corey when their mother was alive, but as soon as she died, he had acted as if Corey never existed—the son he never wanted. And here he was, the son his father did want but refused to live up to his expectations to be more—whatever the hell more meant. He owned a bar. He was a successful businessman. He went in the opposite direction of what his father had done and his father’s father had as well—not working at the docks. What more did the bastard want?
It didn’t matter. The old man was out of his life. He had no reason to ever go see him again.
The door swung open.
