Again, Kyle wondered why a charity calendar shoot with his bastard child would bring Jason to Marietta. “Why are you here?”
“To make amends.”
A dark idea nestled in Kyle’s brain. “Are you dying?”
“No. No, nothing like that. Quite simply, the other son I have is a complete fuckup.”
“Preston? Hell, I could have told you that years ago.” Kyle stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets. “And what?”
“You’ve done amazing things and you keep doing them. That’s not me. That’s Patrick.”
The kind words only antagonized Kyle’s wounded pride. “Great. You’ve said your piece. Now what are you going to come up with to apologize to me because I couldn’t save him? Because I wasn’t a match?” The confession surprised even Kyle. He turned his back and tried to get control over his long-ignored anger.
“Damn, son. I’m sorry.”
As he shook his head, Kyle’s frustration festered. “That doesn’t change anything, does it?”
“Even if Patrick fathered you, there’s no guarantee that you would have matched.”
Spinning on his heels, he growled, “Guess we’ll never know, will we? Because he’s dead.”
Jason’s face flushed an angry red. “You know what? I’ve had enough of this. I get that you’re pissed at me. I betrayed my best friends. Your mother and father, but I’m not going to apologize for being half of you.”
“And why’s that, Jason?”
“Because you’re a damned fine human being.”
“You’re going to take credit for me?”
“No, I only gave the genes. I know who you are is because of Patrick.” Leaning against the light pole, Jason’s confidence waned. “He was my best friend. A good man. Great man, and I let my dick get in the way of our friendship. Of the friendship I had with your mother. He didn’t deserve the fallout from that. None of you did.”
This had been the longest conversation Kyle had ever had with Jason Crowe. “No, we didn’t.”
He pointed toward the diner. “That woman in there. She loves you. You.”
“After this, I’m pretty sure I’ve fucked this up.”
“What do you mean?”
“I lied to her.”
“About what?”
“Me.” Quickly, Kyle gave his father the five-minute version of meeting Gabriella, her family, the resort, Riley, and how far he’d fallen in love with her and what he’d planned to do to make sure he could stay in Marietta. Not that it mattered now. “She’s not going to talk to me after this.”
“You kidding me? Did you see how pissed she was when I mocked you? If she could have, she would have ripped my eyes out.” A sly smirk spread across his father’s face. “Seeing her unimpressed with me should be a good sign. She loves you. And you’d better fight like hell to keep her.”
“Why should I listen to what you have to say about marriage?”
“Because I didn’t fight for my family and I regret it every day of my life.” Squeezing Kyle’s shoulder, Jason coaxed, “Go on, son. Get in there. Make it right.”
For once, the men agreed on something.
“I plan to.” Extending his hand, Kyle soaked in the first true talk he’d ever had with Jason. “Thanks. I’m still pissed at you.”
“Fair enough.” Responding in kind, Jason shook Kyle’s hand before heading toward the Graff Hotel.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“You lied to me!” Gabriella snapped as she stormed around her small office. “Why couldn’t you have told me who you were? And you’re moving?”
“I’m sorry. You know how hard all of this is for me?”
“What’s hard, Kyle? Being the son of a famous movie star? Sounds like a terribly hard life. The idea of little ole me thinking this…this was anything real. Important.”
He hated that he’d hurt her. Lied. “I think you’re real important.”
“Oh please. You have your pick of Hollywood hotties and you want to stay with little ole me?”
“Do you know how many women have tried to get to my parents through me? Do you have any idea what it’s like never knowing if anyone wants you for what you’ve accomplished or if they are just trying to get a glimpse into this fake world that everyone seems to think is so great?”
“No, I don’t. But you could have told me something at some point. I gave you plenty of chances to say something and every time you’d find some delicious distraction.” She sighed as her eyes betrayed her and scanned him. “No, no, we’re going to talk about this.”
Biting his lip, he laughed at her obvious libido. “You’re right. I know you’re mad.”
She shook her head. “I’m beyond mad. I’m livid.”
“What was I supposed to do, Gabby? If I’d told you I was Jason Crowe’s son, what would you have done?”
“I would have dumped you. Right then. Right there. No questions asked.”
That answer surprised him. “Why?”
“Because a man like that, like him, like Derrick—they don’t know what relationships are about. They are simply notches on a bedpost for them. Nothing more.”
The corner of his mouth twitched at her honesty. How he loved the way she stood her ground. Loved how she wasn’t impressed with his genetics. Loved…her.
He’d said it, but for the first time in his adult life, loving someone didn’t scare the hell out of him. In fact, loving her felt like the only rational thing in his world. “Dump me because Jason Crowe’s my dad. You’d be the first.”
“This isn’t funny, Kyle. I trusted you.”
“Do you blame me for saying nothing? Do you know how many women have tried to get to know me because of my family? Hoping my mother would cast them in a movie.”
“Your mother? Who the hell is your mother?”
“Lillian Winston.”
“Holy shit!” Her hand slapped over her mouth. “The Lillian Winston? Like Winston Resorts and Spas?”
“Yes.”
“The director and producer?”
“That’s her.”
“As if you couldn’t be more pedigreed.” She stormed out of the office, but stopped short of the swinging doors. “Is that why you’ve been asking me about the resort?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m supposed to take over the place by October.”
“What happens if you don’t?”
“I lose my share of my grandfather’s inheritance, but—”
“That’s great. You’re leaving. I’ve got to get to work.” She turned her back on him and ventured into the busy dining room.
The waitresses ran in and out of the back, grabbing orders. After the Jason Crowe sighting, it was standing-room only as people waited for tables. They had to call in Griffin to help his brother, Merlin, with the orders.
Trinity and her friends bussed tables and washed dishes to keep up with the traffic.
Gabby walked from table to table, filling waters, clearing plates, and facing away from Kyle.
He didn’t relent, but followed her as she walked to the back and put the dishes in the sink. “Gabby, talk to me.”
“What are you doing in Marietta? With me?”
“I told you. My dad brought me here—”
“So that wasn’t a lie?”
“No, everything I have told you is true.” His heart thumbed hard against his ribs.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “But you didn’t tell me everything, did you?”
“No.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Not that I can think of.” He grabbed her hand and held it to his chest. “Dammit, Gabby, I love you. I want to be there to protect you and Trinity. Why won’t you let me do that?”
“Because lying is a deal breaker for me, Kyle.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you anything—”
She pulled away. “I get it. You were protecting yourself too, but I can’t be with someone who’s willing to lie about who he is. Who doesn’t trust me enough to te
ll me his real name.”
“Is this because of Jason? I’m not Jason.”
“I know you’re not Jason, but…but…I need to work. Please, go.”
When she walked in the back, his heart fell to his feet.
“Give her time, honey. She’s mad as a hornet right now, but let her cool off.” Flo patted his back. “For now, make yourself scarce and clear your head.”
Reluctantly, he walked out, his heart all but broken.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The evening rush had been it’s busiest ever. By the end of the night, all the waitresses happily counted their tips and left thrilled with the traffic.
Griffin and Merlin cleaned up the back and headed out.
Trinity’s study group had left a couple of hours ago and she’d moved to the far end of the counter. As she finished her homework, she sipped her herbal tea.
“Ready to go home, sweetie?” Gabriella began turning off lights when the front door opened.
“Sorry, we’re closed.”
“Mom,” Trinity snapped.
“Yes, I know, but I was hoping to talk to you for a moment.” The woman’s smooth-as-silk voice drifted over the room.
“Mom, you should really—”
“Trinity, please.” Annoyance seeped into every pore. The last thing Gabriella wanted was to talk to anyone else. Attempting to massage the knots out of her neck, Gabriella mentally counted to ten before dealing with some stranger who wouldn’t get the message.
“Mom.” Trinity snapped her fingers, again. “Seriously.”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but—” Turning, Gabriella couldn’t believe who stood in front of her.
Lillian Winston. And she looked more beautiful than her photo that hung in the main administrative offices of the resort.
A slow, smirk spread across her face. Her beautiful green eyes focused in on Gabriella. “I’d truly appreciate a moment of your time, Ms. Marcos.”
This day couldn’t get any more surreal.
“Well, I stand corrected.” Motioning her over to the counter, Trinity moved her books over as Kyle’s mother gracefully sat down.
“Thank you.”
“What can I get you this evening, Ms. Winston?”
“It’s Mrs. Cavasos. I go by my maiden name professionally.” Laying her Hermès bag on the chair next to her, she asked, “May I have a cup of coffee and some of those brownies my son’s been bragging about.”
His name hit Gabriella straight in the heart. “He’s been bragging about my desserts?”
She chuckled. “He’s been bragging about a lot of things, especially you.”
Trinity joined in on the amusement. “Well, he’s been over enough.”
“And you must be Trinity. Kyle tells me you’re quite the artist.”
The teen’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Oh, I guess he’s…I…I do pretty well.”
“Better than well from what I hear. Kyle says you’re a star on the rise.” Reaching across Trinity, Lillian tapped the sketchbook. “May I see your work?”
With nervous hands, Trinity opened the pages and explained each of her latest drawings while Gabriella started another pot of coffee.
Over the next several minutes, Gabriella watched her daughter’s increasing excitement as she explained her sketches while Lillian asked thoughtful questions of each piece.
Despite the kindness of her words, that gave little comfort to Gabriella when talking to the famous Lillian Winston. She’d read enough of the company’s memos, magazine articles, and newsletters to know how much of a force of nature the strong-willed Ms. Winston could be. Even from here, Gabriella saying the wrong thing could hurt her family. “What can I do for you, Ms. Winston, I mean Mrs. Cavasos?”
Pulling a large envelope out of her bag, she placed it in front of her as she clasped her hands and rested them on top. “Ms. Marcos, I’ve read your file.”
“You have?” Gabriella felt like she was trying to swallow a boulder. Lord knows what Riley put in there. “And?”
“I want to thank you.”
“Excuse me?” She opened the envelope. Among the papers was a check. “What’s this?”
“A bonus. Because of you and your family, my grandfather’s first hotel hasn’t tanked.”
Holy cow. This is a year’s salary. “You’re…welcome?”
“Mr. Fitzgerald had quite a good time trying to ruin my favorite property, but he’s been sent on his way and neither you, nor your family will never hear from him again.
“I didn’t see that coming.” Her hands trembled as she tried to pour herself some coffee. “I understand Kyle is supposed to take over the place.”
“He was, but he’s changed his mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s asked that your siblings help run the place instead.”
The coffee mug slipped from her hands and clanked on the saucer. “What?”
“He promoted your brother, Joaquin, to director of the grounds and Edwardo to director of maintenance. Your mother will run the entire salon and spa.”
“And the spa?” She could only imagine her mother’s face when she received the news. Her screams of excitement should have been heard all the way here.
“Yes and Kyle insisted we review their files as well as all the employees’ files of the resort since Riley arrived. No one had received a raise or bonus since he’d been there.” She sipped her coffee, leaving a perfect imprint of pink lips on the rim of the cup. “In fact, he’d been pocketing more than his fair share of bonuses and from what I understand, he’d been quite the little tyrant. Not to mention, Preston, Jason’s useless excuse for a son using my resort as his own bachelor pad. Jason’s not going to like getting that bill.”
“I’m glad to have that taken care of.” Tears of relief ran down her face. “I was so worried about them. Now I won’t have to.”
“Every member of your family who has worked at that resort has been loyal and hardworking. They’ve more than earned that.” She took another elegant sip. “And now they are part owners.”
“What did you say?”
Clasping her hands in her lap, Lillian calmly replied, “Kyle insisted that they were given not only promotions, but stock options and part ownership.”
“Oh my gosh!” Trinity clapped her hands in front of her face. “That’s incredible.”
“Why?” Gabriella’s heart beat so fast, she had to catch her breath. “Not that I’m not grateful, but why would he do that?”
The corner of Lillian’s perfect mouth twitched. “Isn’t it obvious? My son loves you. Wants you and your family happy. Safe.”
“But I thought he had to run it to keep his inheritance.” Without warning, Gabriella’s bottom lip quivered at the joy that surrounded her like a blanket. “I can’t believe he did that.”
“He figured out a way around the restriction in the will. All it said was he had to effectively run the resort. That can also include him hiring reliable people to do it instead seeing over the day-to-day operations.” A sly smile spread across Lillian’s face as she continued. “My son has always found a smart way to get what he wants. He’s smart to a fault.”
The idea of her family owning a piece of the business they’d poured their hearts and souls into overwhelmed Gabriella, making it hard for her to breathe. She patted her chest to calm her rising heart rate. “I can’t believe this. They will be okay.”
Trinity nodded as her eyes sparkled and she grabbed her phone. “That means Sheila is gone too.”
Sliding the half empty coffee mug over, Lilliana continued. “Please don’t think I’ve forgotten what happened to you, Ms. Marcos.”
“What do you mean?”
“Before I even talked to Kyle, Paige Sheenan of Tutro Enterprises called me herself to say how amazing the food was at that retreat they had last month.”
“She’s a lovely woman.” Grabbing a napkin, Gabriella dried her eyes.
“I know Riley stole from you, threatened to fire
you and your family if you didn’t quit. His daughter made your Trinity’s life hell and he wouldn’t work with you to better the situation.”
A clunk of something on the counter made them both turn.
Trinity gasped her hands still open from where she held her phone. “Mom, he did that to you? You didn’t tell me any of this.”
Turning in her body slightly, the elegant woman continued. “Your mother even went so far to sign a non-disclosure and non-competition agreement so she could never advertise the recipes you used.”
“Mom? Why would you do that?”
How she’d hoped she’d never have to explain it. With the owner sitting here and being more than approachable, Gabriella realized she could have pushed harder to make things right. But there’s no guarantee they would have the same results. “I had to protect you Trinity. All of you.”
“Abuela, Uncle Edwardo, Uncle Joaquin? Did they know?”
“None of them knew because they’d all quit. Give up everything they’d earned. I couldn’t do that to them.”
Her daughter ran around the counter and pulled her into her arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t make things easy for you when we first got here.”
“Thank you, T. It was hard for both of us.” Gabriella soaked in her daughter’s hug. It had been a long time since Trinity hugged her like this and it was painfully obvious the girl had passed her in height. “Ugh, I can’t believe you’re taller than I am.”
“Can I get one of those amazing Spicy Brownies I’ve been hearing about?” Lillian asked as soon as the women stepped apart.
“Of course. Allow me.” Trinity nodded and darted into the back.
As soon as the swinging doors closed, Lillian reached out and patted Gabriella’s hand. “My son. He cares very much for you. Dare I say, he’s completely in love with you.”
A heaviness sat in Gabriella’s heart. “Yes, that’s what he said.”
“And you don’t believe him?”
“Ms. Winston—”
She wagged a finger. “It’s Mrs. Cavasos. Mrs. Patrick Cavasos.”
The pain in the woman’s eyes didn’t go unnoticed. It was the same pain Gabriella had seen in Kyle’s eyes when he spoke of his father. “Mrs. Cavasos. I mean no disrespect, but this conversation is really between Kyle and myself.”
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