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We hadn’t known each other for long, but we’d both been pretty open about the things we’d struggled with in our lives. And if there was one thing I knew for sure—no one would have blamed Reed if he’d decided he was done fighting. He’d been doing it for years.
Fighting through operations.
Fighting to be strong for Gabe.
Fighting to hold the weight of his family and their expectations.
After losing his brother, he could have sat down and simply said, “I’m done.”
And people would have understood.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he fought harder.
And I’m so damn glad he did because seeing this world he’d built, the way people looked at him, how they admired his work, he deserved this.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, I’m just going to get a drink,” I told them, squeezing Reed’s hand before I pulled back. Though I should have known I’d never escape that easily.
“Back in a moment, gentlemen.” Reed also excused himself, holding tight to my hand as we stepped away from the group of businessmen. “I’m probably going to have to show this lot around. But I’ll try to make it quick.”
“I will try not to get into much trouble,” I teased, pressing my hand to his chest. “Go. Do your business. I’ll be fine.”
He looked uneasy about it, but he slowly backed away, returning to the party of men whose excitement about the project and about Reed would hopefully lead to an amazing sale before the night was done.
“Drink?”
I turned to find Bronson holding out a glass of champagne, that boyish grin I’d come to know well plastered across his face.
Taking the glass, I nodded. “Thanks. How are you feeling about everything?”
“Feeling like I wish I would have spoken to Reed about this plan a whole lot earlier because it’s so damn good,” he answered, the both of us looking over at where Reed was leading the way to the elevator. “I’ve been doing business shit since I was a teen when my dad took over the running of the hotels. I’m the one who pitched this idea of us stepping into things like apartment buildings, and change can make those old bastards like my dad fucking nervous. So to see how this is all coming together, it’s good. Really fucking good.”
I nudged him with my elbow. “I’m sure this is the first of many projects that are going to take off like wildfire. I can’t wait to see them.”
“Good,” he noted, leaning into the wall beside me. Bronson was far more laid back than Reed. He was playful and sarcastic, the playboy everyone warned you about. “Because I’m hoping you’re gonna stick around. You’re good for Reed. And I think he’s good for you too.”
Laughing softly, I shook my head. “I wasn’t prepared for a deep and meaningful tonight.”
His grin grew a little wider. “I’m not exactly the type either, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Reed like this.”
“Like what?”
“Happy.”
Warmth spread through me, and I glanced down at the ring on my finger, the fairy lights decorating the walls sparkling within the large diamond. It felt heavy on my finger, as though it had, in a way, grounded me when I felt like my world was spinning out of control.
It made me forget for a minute that it was all a ruse.
At least, it had started out that way.
Now, we were sharing a bed, our bodies, and pieces of our souls.
What came next?
“So, do you need me to help you find a future wife so you’re not on your own?” I teased Bronson, choosing not to ask all the questions racing through my mind about whether Reed had spoken to him about us. Had he mentioned our relationship being fake, or had it become something else without us realizing it?
Bronson’s eyes scanned the room. “Oh, trust me, I’m hardly ever on my own,” he mused as he sipped his beer.
