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“Yes. I just wanted everyone to accept you and let go of the anger and pain your mother caused and for all of them to be happy forus.”
“So we could all be a family.”
“Yes.”
“And what about the fact that my life in Texas and the company matter to me. I will need to be there just as much as you’ll need to be here.”
“When I said come home, I meant to me. I don’t care where we are, for however many days it’s here or there or anywhere, so long as we’re together.”
“Then there’s something you should know,” she began.
“What?”
“Charles wasn’t the one who called Summer back to Texas,” Nate said. “She called him, asking if she could make an acquisition and Sutherland Industries would partner with you and me.”
That got him to tear his gaze from Summer and look at Nate. “What?”
Summer filled him in. “My father wants more than anything for me to be happy. He wants the same for you. So during our long lunch talks he filled me in about your company. What you do.What you make. What you hope to achieve in the future. He told me about a company you’ve been keeping your eye on and want to eventually buy.”
“It’s in Austin,” Cody blurted out, not believing where this was going. He glanced at Nate. “We don’t have the equity to buy them.”
Summer continued. “You do if Sutherland Industries backs you.” Summer looked very proud of herself. “I propose a partnership, since Sutherland Industries already owns a large share in W. L. Robotics. The thing is, someone high up in your company would need to oversee the acquisition and transition of leadership to bring the new company under W. L. Robotics.”
Cody caught on real quick. “I’d need to be in Texas to do that.”
“You’d carry out your father’s hopes and dreams of expanding the company while my dad continues to do what he loves most, tinkering with his toys.”
Cody grinned because Nate was like that with his projects and prototypes. Cody took care of the business side of things so Nate didn’t have to.
“Austin is a long way from the Sutherland offices in Dallas.”
“They have offices in Austin,” Nate pointed out.
“This was the deal you mentioned earlier?” he asked Nate.
“Yes.”
Summer added, “He trusted me to make the deal, because he knew how important it was for me to find a way to make this work for both of us.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He held up a hand. “Yes, I do. Forget everything else. The deal. Our families. All of it. The only thing that matters is that I love you. I want to make a life with you, whatever that looks like, wherever that is. And I know you love me, too.”
“How do you know?” Summer asked.
“Because you came back, even though I said something dumband hurt your feelings. I’m sorry, Summer. I was careless with my words and it nearly cost me everything, because without you, nothing else matters.”
***
Summer couldn’t stand the distance between them one second longer and launched herself straight into his arms. The kiss they shared was filled with passion and relief to be together again, tinged with a hint of whiskey.
Suddenly, applause filled the room.
Cody broke the kiss and turned them sideways without letting go of her.
Nate and Miranda grinned at them. Natalie and Haley had bright smiles to go with the happy clapping.
At first, Summer wondered if Natalie was just doing this to score points with Cody, but then she saw the relief and joy in her gaze directed at Summer. She looked truly happy for them.
Summer left the comfort of Cody’s arms and rushed her sisters, taking them into her arms and hugging them fiercely. “Thank you for being happy for us.” She released them and gave them a wide smile.
