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“I’m almost positive he went home first,” she says. “He usually goes home to change and drives there.”
“Thank you!”
Twenty minutes later, I’m walking through the lobby of the guys’ building and getting onto their private elevator. When I step inside and swipe my card, a knot forms in my stomach, afraid of what will be waiting for me on the other side. I know they miss me, but what if once Hayden explains, it means I can’t be with him? What if he asks me to give up Heart’s? There are so many ways this can go… Maybe coming back to go to dinner when things are up in the air wasn’t the best idea.
In my head, it was my way of telling them I want to work things out. Even when Pete and I would fight, when it came time to visit our friends or family, we would do it together because no matter what, at the end of the day, it was us against the world. Which is what I want for Brody, Hayden, and me… For it to be us against the world.
The door slides open, and when I step into the foyer, I’m greeted by a shocked Brody and Hayden. Since the elevator notifies them when someone is heading up, they knew someone was coming, but based on their expressions, they weren’t expecting me.
“Hey,” I say, waving shyly as my heart hammers in my chest. “Is the invitation still open for me to join you at your parents’ for dinner?”
A huge grin spreads across Brody’s face, and he stalks toward me, pulling me into his arms. “Hell yeah, it is,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. “Fuck, how is it that you haven’t been to the bakery in days, and you still smell like a damn cupcake?” He inhales my scent and presses a soft kiss to the curve of my neck. “I missed you so much,” he breathes, raw emotion bleeding through every word. “Thank you for coming home.”
He sets me on my feet, and I turn my attention to Hayden, who’s standing a few feet away, looking nervous. “We need to talk.”
He nods, unmoving, unsure what to do, so I make the first move.
Walking over to him, I encircle my arms around his neck and kiss the corner of his mouth. “I’m hurt and upset, but I want to hear what you have to say. Then we’ll go from there.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. “I’m going to make this right, I promise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
AUBREE
“You’re even more beautiful in person!” Brody’s stepmom, Savy, coos, pulling me into a motherly hug. “And you’re right, Brody. She does smell like cupcakes.”
“Savy,” Brody groans, making everyone laugh. “First time I bring a woman home and you guys are determined to embarrass me.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” his father says, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “And Hayden…” He clasps his hand, doing that half shake, half hug guys do. “What’s this I hear about you finally coming to work for Fields?”
His question has me freezing in place, my gaze going straight to Hayden. We obviously haven’t spoken yet, and we kept the conversation about my trip to visit my kids on the drive here, so I have no idea what they’re talking about.
“Yeah,” Hayden says, sounding a bit nervous as his eyes flicker over to mine. “I filled out the paperwork with HR today.” He shrugs, looking sheepish.
“I know how much you wanted to prove yourself to your dad,” Ben says, “but you did that over and over again, and if he didn’t appreciate it and see your worth, that’s his loss. Fields Enterprises is excited to have you as part of our team.”
“Damn right, we are,” Brody says, clasping Hayden’s shoulder. “We’re going to take the company to the next level.” He winks at his dad, who barks out a laugh.
“You quit your job?” I blurt out, unable to contain my confusion.
Everyone goes quiet as Hayden walks over to me. “I wasn’t on board with the way my dad handled business, so yeah, I walked away.”
“Because of me?” I whisper so only he can hear, shocked at what he’s saying.
He reaches out and tucks a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. “I would do just about anything for you,” he admits quietly, causing butterflies to flutter in my chest. “I want to talk about this, but I think we should wait until after dinner, once we’re alone.”
I nod in agreement, then encircle my arms around his waist, resting the side of my face against his chest, needing him to know that regardless of what happens between us, I appreciate what he did for me. He holds me tightly for a few seconds, his lips pressing against the crown of my head.
