by Jill Downey
“You’ll be fine! I know I’ve been over this, but just don’t let them get to you. I’ve warned you about my father, he’ll try to intimidate you, just ignore him. Let it all roll off your back.”
“Remind me again why I’m doing this?” Ty said.
“Because, you should know your own family and they should know you. It’s a start.”
Jesse pulled at his shirt collar uncomfortably. “I must admit, I’m looking forward to this about as much as a root canal.”
“You got that right, bro,” Ty said.
“You guys, it won’t be that bad. Just try to relax and have a good time.”
They pulled up to the drive and like magic the gates swung open. Jesse followed the winding cobbled path, pulling up the circular drive in front of what could only be described as a modern-day palace.
“Ho…ly…shit” Ty gulped. “I’ll just be waiting in the car for y’all.”
“If I have to do this so do you,” Jesse said.
A young man dressed in a formal black and white uniform opened the truck door for Faye and she stepped out casually calling over her shoulder, “Jess, just leave your keys in the ignition, they’ll park it for us.”
Faye felt as if she was seeing everything for the first time…as if looking at the scene through the eyes of Jess and Ty. And her cheeks heated in embarrassment.
She sandwiched herself between the two and slipped her hands through their crooked elbows. Taking a deep calming breath, she said, “We’ve got this, guys.” They entered the foyer and Richard, Kyle’s house manager, was there to greet them.
His face lit up with a smile. “Faye, so glad to see you.”
Faye gave Richard a hug then stepped back to introduce her dates.
“Richard Drake this is Tyler Anderson and Jesse Carlisle.”
Richard bowed slightly, “Glad to make your acquaintance.”
“Richard has been with our family forever! He is our family and we’d be lost without him,” Faye said.
“Thank you for saying so,” Richard said. “Follow me. The party is in full swing.”
“Are we the last to get here?” Faye asked.
He raised is eyebrows and smiled, “Yes, that shouldn’t come as any surprise.”
“Hey not fair! I usually beat Griffin. He’s always the last one to arrive,” she said.
“Today he got a head start on you,” Richard said, leading them to the festivities.
37
As they followed Richard through the grandiose home, Jesse glanced over at Ty. He felt a stab of pity for the kid. Seeing Faye’s pinched expression and feeling her death grip on his arm made him question again just what they were in for. Jesse had built plenty of million-dollar houses, but this was on a whole other level.
When they finally made it outside, to the center of action, Jesse’s eyes narrowed. Nothing could have prepared him for the scene before him. Casual? He had thought he’d landed it just right, but now he felt way under-dressed. The men all looked like they’d stepped out of a GQ magazine and the women…well let’s just say he was a bit out of his comfort zone. He had his first unsettling moments of doubt creep in.
There was a jazz quartet playing poolside, waiters in black and white uniforms walking amongst the guests carrying trays of hors d’oeuvres and full glasses of champagne and wine. There were colorful bursts of flowers scattered everywhere, in large planters and in the surrounding flower beds. The Olympic-sized pool looked inviting as hell but currently had fake lily pads holding votive candles floating across the surface. A huge granite wall had water cascading down into a pool beneath, full of colorful koi fish swimming lazily as the sun reflected off the bubbling water.
Ty looked like a deer in the headlights as Faye’s brother Griffin strode toward them. Jesse leaned in close and said, “Do you get the feeling we just walked onto a movie set?”
“Fuckin-a.” Tyler agreed.
Griffin could only be described as stunningly handsome. He had the self-possessed air of someone who’d never known hardship and had led a privileged life that most could only imagine. Arrogant or overly confident, maybe they were one in the same, but whatever you want to call it he had it in spades. He came off as a cocky playboy in Jesse’s humble opinion. He knew it was going to take some work to keep an open mind.
Faye threw her arms around Griffin then kissed his cheek. “How’s my baby brother?”
“Wishing I was on the golf course right about now.”
“How is our father today?”
“Lukewarm, I’d say.”
“I told you he’s softening.”
Turning toward her guests she said, “Griffin, remember Jesse?”
He bit back a laugh, “Yeah how could I forget. My friend Faye LeBlanc here. I tried to tell her you’d feel like a chump when you found out who she really was. But as usual she never listens to anyone.”
Jesse worked at keeping his expression neutral even though he felt like sinking his fist into that perfect jawline.
Faye’s eyes were overly bright as she pulled Ty forward into their circle. “This is Tyler Anderson our nephew.”
“Hey Ty. The resemblance is uncanny,” Griffin said casually. “Nice to finally meet you.” He reached out his hand and gave Ty a warm handshake.
Jesse counted that as a point in Griffin’s favor. If he’d been an ass to Ty, all bets would have been off. He took a long slow breath in and readjusted his attitude. He was doing this for Faye, so he’d better get a grip, or he’d blow it for sure. He didn’t want to disappoint her.
Griffin turned toward Jesse. “Do you golf?”
“Some. I don’t really have the time, but I get out on a course a couple times a year.”
“How about you Ty?”
Ty’s lips twisted, “Nope, never. That’s a rich man’s game.”
“I’ll take you out with me some time,” Griffin said.
Ty crossed his arms and defiantly glared. “No thanks.”
Just then Finn came running up and threw his arms around Faye. “Aunt Faye!”
“Hey Finn. I want you to meet a couple of incredibly special people. This is your cousin Tyler, and this is a very good friend of mine, Jesse.”
Finn’s eyes sparkled as he greeted the two men. “Hi, I’m seven.”
Jesse squatted down to be eye level with Finn, “I’ve heard a lot about you Finn. Great to finally meet you.”
“Are you Aunt Faye’s boyfriend?”
Jesse’s eyes crinkled as he smiled up at Faye, “I guess you could say that.”
Finn studied Ty, his face open and friendly. “Wow! Tattoos. I’m going to get a tattoo when I get bigger. Did it hurt?”
Tyler turned his forearm to expose the inside and said, “This one hurt a bit. Nothing I couldn’t stand though.”
“It’s a bird!”
“It’s actually a Phoenix.”
“What’s a Phoenick?”
“It’s like an eagle only mythical. I had it inked after I got out of juvie, it’s a symbol of rebirth.”
“What’s juvie?”
“Prison for kids.”
Finns eyes were huge saucers.
James Bennett, the patriarch, took that moment to appear. He had obviously overheard the tail end of the conversation and was decidedly unimpressed. “Do you really think that’s appropriate conversation for a seven-year-old?”
“When I was seven, I was dumpster diving. So yeah, I think he can handle it,” Ty said.
Jesse stifled a laugh and Faye over enthusiastically greeted her father. “Dad! You finally get to meet your grandson Ty!”
He stiffened then turned toward Ty. “I’m sure you’ll understand that this all came as quite a shock to our family. Pardon me if I’m not prepared to accept everything at face value.”
“Yeah we don’t want to shock the old man, it’s not as if he had any responsibility in any of this,” Griffin said sarcastically. “I’m going to get a stiff drink. The bar with the real drinks is over there,” he sa
id pointing. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
James looked at Tyler’s tattoos disapprovingly.
Jesse felt his jaw tighten and for the second time in less than fifteen minutes, felt his fists clench.
“I think they’re really cool!” Finn said flashing his irresistible grin. He had no clue how relieved Faye was to have him there at that moment.
“And, this is Jesse,” Faye said, slipping her arm around Jesse’s waist.
James Bennett’s piercing eye’s sized Jesse up. “Hello. You’re the contractor I presume?”
“More like my hero,” Faye said correcting him. “If it weren’t for Jesse and Ty, I’d have had to close before I even got to the grand opening.”
“Now that would have been a blessing.”
“Ma fille chérie!” Faye heard her mom Giselle’s heavy French accent, as she came rushing over. Framing Faye’s face with her palms she searched her eyes before planting a kiss on each cheek.
“Mom!” Faye hugged her mom before turning her around to face the others.
“Ah, you must be the builder. Oh tu es si beau!” She said approvingly, looking Jesse up and down.
“She said oh you are so handsome,” Faye translated.
Jesse grinned and held her hand, raising it to plant a kiss on the back of it.
“Merci, Madame Bennett. I see where Faye gets her beauty.”
She laughed becomingly, “Ah but not only is he handsome but he is charmant as well.”
“Mom, this is Tyler.”
She greeted him as she had Faye, framing his face with her hands, studying him intently. “Tu ressembles mon mari et mon fils.”
“Giselle, speak in English,” James interrupted.
Jesse pinched the bridge of his nose as he counted silently to ten. What an ass.
“Ty, she said you look like Dad and Kyle.”
His cheeks reddened as he replied, “Dope, I think.”
Giselle laughed and said, “Oui! It is a compliment. You are very handsome.”
Giselle took ahold of Ty and Faye’s hands and pulled them behind her saying “Come with me. I want you to meet Ella and Kyle told me to bring you to him the minute you arrived. Come along Finn.”
Ty looked back at Jesse and shrugged as he allowed himself to be led away. Faye’s forehead was creased with worry about leaving Jesse alone with her father. Jesse stayed silent, waiting for Mr. Bennett to speak first.
“You’re working for my daughter?”
“Yes, we’ve been renovating the outside of her bar and now I’m working on the kitchen.”
“Rumor has it that there is more to your relationship than contracted labor. Is that correct?”
“Yes sir. I care for your daughter.”
James Bennett steepled his fingers staring thoughtfully at Jesse. “And can you…Care for my daughter?”
“What are you referring to sir?”
“I think you understand what I’m asking.”
“You want to know if I can support her financially?”
“Yes, I hope you understand that I have to ask. A man in my position can never be too careful. I’ve learned that it’s best not to beat around the bush. I saw the way Faye was looking at you. She’s falling in love if she’s not, in fact, already there.”
“That would be an honor if it were true. Anyone would be lucky to have her attention, let alone her heart.”
“Do you really think it can work for the two of you? You know she is an heiress to billions, don’t you?”
“Unfortunately, I am aware of that fact.”
“Can you handle that? It comes with its fair share of, shall we say, baggage.”
“Honestly, it’s not ideal.”
“At the risk of sounding like an overprotective father, Faye has been taken advantage of by men before. She is way too trusting. I, on the other hand, am not.”
“I can assure you sir, I couldn’t care less about her money; in fact, for me it is an obstacle not an advantage.”
James Bennett’s lips twisted cynically, “I’ve been around the block a time or two, and excuse me if I seem a bit skeptical. I mean nothing personal; I only have my daughter’s best interests at heart.”
Jesse gritted his teeth, “I mean no disrespect sir, but it is personal. Your line of questioning is insulting, not only to me but to your daughter. I don’t give a damn whether you believe me or not, but I’d think that you’d have a little more faith in Faye. And if you’re implying that I have anything but Faye’s best interests at heart, you’re dead wrong.”
“If it’s true... that you have her best interests at heart, then maybe you should take a good hard look at the reality of your situation. That’s all I’m suggesting. Will you be able to provide for her and keep her in the lifestyle she’s accustomed to…or perhaps you’re willing to let her carry the financial burden for the two of you.”
“I think I’ve had enough of this conversation. Good talk Mr. Bennett.” As he was turning James Bennett’s parting shot stopped him in his tracks.
“And about this ‘grandson’ that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. His motives are highly suspect. I can only guess at how excited he must have been when he realized who his relatives were. I’m sure Faye has filled you in on the history there. His father is rotting in prison for kidnapping my grandson and blackmailing me.”
“I feel sorry for you. Whether you like it or not, Tyler has Bennett blood running through his veins. I’m sure that galls you to no end. Your grandson was dealt a bad hand and had to overcome more obstacles than you could ever imagine. He’s a great kid. Has a heart of gold and he’d do damn near anything to protect your daughter. He idolizes her. And you want to know something else? He didn’t want to come today. He has no interest in anything other than connecting with family. He only reached out to Faye because his mom was all he had growing up. He mistakenly thought life might be a little less harsh and lonely with the love of family. Ha! He’s better off without you anyway.”
Jesse thought he caught a brief look of doubt cross over James Bennett’s face before he turned and stormed back the way he had entered. He’d wait in the truck. If he stuck around any longer, he was afraid he’d do something he’d regret. Faye deserved better. But as furious as he felt, her father had just thrown gasoline on the kindling of doubt he’d had since he’d first found out who she really was. Mr. Bennett had managed to push almost every button Jesse had. Faye was a princess who’d grown up in a fairytale. How the hell could he ever measure up to that?
38
“Dad, where’s Jesse?”
“He stormed out of here after our conversation.”
Faye paled as she said through clenched teeth, “What did you say to him?”
“I was simply trying to have an honest conversation with him.”
“I don’t believe you. Jesse wouldn’t be run off by an honest conversation unless you said something offensive.”
“I’m your father. It is my job to protect you. I was trying to explain to him that it might prove difficult to accept your financial status and that he could end up feeling at a disadvantage at some point.”
“How?”
“Faye there are certain realities that come with the kind of wealth you were born into. You’ve got to accept that you’re different than most people.”
“Different how? We’re human beings not commodities. Jesse is the most decent person I’ve ever met. His family welcomed me like I was one of their own.” Faye’s eyes welled up with tears. “Couldn’t you have done the same? If not for him then for me?”
“Faye be reasonable. Surely you can see my position?”
“No Dad, I can’t. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“What kind of question is that. Of course, I want you to be happy.”
Griffin walked up with his beautiful date clinging to his arm, “Everything all right here?”
Faye couldn’t contain her vexation, “No it isn’t. Our dear devoted father just ran off the best thing
that’s ever happened to me.”
“Faye don’t be over dramatic. I simply wanted him to be aware of what he was walking into. I meant no harm.”
“He comes from a normal loving home, completely opposite of us. I can’t even imagine what he must have thought. Why couldn’t you have talked about golf or tried to get to know him?”
“You want to make me into the ogre, fine, but I’ve always tried to do what’s best for the family. You have no clue how vulnerable your wealth makes you because we’ve sheltered you. Look at Finn, just last year, kidnapped! He could have been killed! His own trusted nanny set him up with Tyler’s father—the one responsible! I’m his grandfather, how do you think I felt when I couldn’t even protect my own?”
Ella approached the group her forehead furrowed with concern when she saw Faye’s distress.
“I never should have left Jess alone with you!” Faye said to her father, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m so embarrassed right now.”
Ella looked from Faye to her father-in-law and back again. James Bennett at least had the decency to look slightly sheepish when Ella sized him up. He had enormous respect for Ella and he suddenly lost his swagger.
“Dad?” Ella said, one eyebrow arched.
He cleared his throat, “Just a slight misunderstanding.”
Griffin slung his arm across Faye’s shoulder and glared at their father. “I hope you’re right. I only caught the gist of the conversation, but in case you’re wondering about Jesse’s motives with regards to your daughter, I’ll fill you in. Our dear Faye here was so embarrassed by her family fortune, that Jesse didn’t even know she was a Bennett for the first six weeks they were together.”
At his fathers shocked expression, he continued, “Yeah, that’s right. Your daughter lied to him and gave him a fake name. She wanted to make it on her own. You know what else? He almost wouldn’t take her back when he found out she was a Bennett. He didn’t think he was good enough. You want to know what I think? We’re the ones that aren’t good enough!”
Tyler showed up with Finn following him like a puppy, his eyes dancing as he looked up at him with hero worship.
