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I didn’t intend to bring up the fake dating plan to Sage yesterday. I was going to seek other options or wait until she knew for sure that I was not some weirdo trying to pay someone to be his girlfriend.
Her shocked face was enough to make me want to stick my foot in my mouth and eat dirt.
I got a reply from my friend’s contact with helpful information and links to the paperwork I need to fill out. Most require payment, which is why I’ve held off on submitting them.
I know the basics. I learned a lot while volunteering and asked questions when I was curious about something, but that isn’t like being involved in the administrative side of things.
I’m nervous. My confident façade is an act when facing this new venture. However, I know that this is what I’m meant to do, and nothing will stop me. And that’s why I proposed my plan to Sage.
It wasn’t the best idea, but at least I didn’t ask her to marry me.
She seems trustworthy. I don’t need my parents finding out about my attempt to get the trust fund from gossip around town, and I don’t think they’ll hear it from her.
“Hey, little bro.” Hudson strides out of his room, holding a coffee mug.
“Ah, you already made coffee.”
“Yeah. Right over there.” He speaks slowly and points to the corner of the kitchen. There sits his coffee pot full of fresh coffee that I clearly missed since I’m too much in my head.
“Oh, thanks.” I grab a mug and serve myself a cup.
“Are you okay?” Hudson rinses his mug and places it in the dishwasher.
“Yeah, just didn’t sleep well. Still need to fully wake up.” I smile and take a sip of coffee, closing my eyes for a second.
“Maybe you should take it slow today. You worked all day yesterday. More than I had to work when I was at the agency.” He lifts a brow.
“Starting a non-profit is a lot of work.” I shrug and push away from the counter.
“I get it.” His hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes it. “Just be sure that you’re resting and taking breaks.” His eyebrows dip with concern.
“I promise.” I put my hand on my chest like I’m being sworn into some duty and smirk. I’m no Boy Scout.
He shakes his head before speaking again.
“Have you talked to Mom and Dad lately?” He keeps his eyes focused on mine.
“Nope. You?”
“Dad came by the office the other day.”
“What? You’re just telling me now? Was he trying to scope out the competition?”
It’d be like our father to sneak his way into Hudson’s new real estate agency.
“I’ve barely seen you. He came by with the excuse to tell me that the past is in the past, and if I needed anything, he’d be happy to help. I don’t buy it. He wanted to compare my office to his. There’s no comparison, and there’s no competition. We’re serving two different markets.” Hudson’s jaw clenches.
I understand where he’s coming from. He broke away to have his own freedom. It’s the reason I left after high school.
“What’d you do?”
“I spoke to him for five minutes and then told him I had a showing.” He grins like the Cheshire cat.
I laugh and clap his shoulder. “Lying already?”
“It wasn’t a lie,” he retorts. “I did have a showing. His timing was bad.” His eyebrow quirks, and he shrugs, but I see the hint of arrogance in his expression.
I’d bet all the money I had that he was glad to prove to our father that he is making his business work without the Remington influence—or at least without our father’s hands in it. Around here, people will always know who we are and who our family is.
