Aiden stepped outside to call Ben while Abby called her sisters.
Ben answered right away and said, “If Remi finds out I answered your call, she’ll throttle me.”
“I know, Ben, sorry. But I’m in over my head. I need some advice.”
“You, in over your head?” Ben scoffed. “I highly doubt that. What’s going on?”
Aiden paced the front yard. “I don’t know, man. That’s the problem. I met someone.”
Ben didn’t respond.
“You there?” Aiden looked at his phone to make sure the call hadn’t dropped.
“Yeah. I was waiting for you to tell me what kind of business this person is in.”
“I met a woman, you idiot.”
“Seriously? Why didn’t you lead with that? I wondered why you hadn’t come back to work yet. I figured you’d be gone for a weekend at most, but when I asked Remi if she’d heard from you, she basically threatened my life if I reached out to you. So you met a chick. What’s the problem?”
“She’s not just some chick. That’s the problem. Her name is Abby.” He gazed out at the water and said, “She’s so fucking adorable. When she gets excited about something, her entire face—no, the entire room—lights up. She knows what she wants, and she goes after it. She’s a chef. She’s hardworking, smart, energetic, funny, and sexier than any woman I’ve ever met. I’m really into her, Ben.”
“So this thing is going to last another few days?”
“A lot more if I have it my way.”
“Well, not too long. You’re set to do the international Q2 meetings after your vacation. Is something worrying you? You want me to have Mason run a background check on her?”
“No,” Aiden snapped, though he knew Ben was only watching out for him, the same way Aiden had watched out for Ben over the years. That’s what partners did. But it still rubbed him the wrong way.
“Buddy, I know you’re careful not to give away your hand, but you sure she’s not a gold digger?”
Aiden rubbed a knot in the back of his neck, gritting his teeth, and said, “Yes, I’m sure. If you met her, you’d know in ten seconds that she’s not like that.”
“Women can hide a lot.”
“Damn it, Ben. Trust my fucking judgment, will you? I just offered her two hundred grand and she turned it down.”
“She must give one hell of a blow job.” Ben chuckled.
“Forget it. Sorry I called.”
“Wait, I was kidding. Dude, you’re really off your game today.”
“No shit. That’s why I called.” He took a deep breath and said, “I told her about Remi, about my parents.”
Ben was quiet for a beat. “I’m sorry for messing around, man. I didn’t realize how serious you were.”
“Yeah, it kind of crept up on me, too.”
“Talk to me, Aiden. What kind of advice do you need?”
“She’s inherited a restaurant, and she has a shot at something magnificent. I believe in her with everything I have, and it’s not based on anything other than a gut feeling, tasting her food, seeing her work ethic, and her passion for the business. I swear, Ben, she talks about her father having some sort of magic that made that restaurant shine. I see the same thing in her, and I know how crazy that sounds. But it’s true. The problem is, she stands to lose everything if she doesn’t handle it right. I want to step in and make sure it’s all done perfectly, but . . .”
“But you know you can’t, right? Please tell me you know you can’t.”
“I fucking know that, but I hate it.”
“Aiden, I trust your judgment one hundred percent, but I have to ask you a hard question.”
Aiden gritted his teeth against whatever was coming.
“You’ve known this girl, what? A week?” He didn’t wait for confirmation. “Are you sure you feel something real for her and you’re not just riding your white horse looking for a maiden to save now that Remi has flown the coop?”
Aiden closed his eyes, fighting against the knee-jerk response of telling Ben off and throwing his fucking phone into the ocean. “Yes, I’m sure,” he finally said.
“Go ahead—you can call me an asshole for asking.”
“No, it’s a fair question, even though it makes me want to rip you to shreds. But it’s not like that. She’s capable and experienced. She doesn’t need saving. She needs guiding, which I’m doing to some extent. But I’m going to fuck this up if I can’t back off, and backing off is the last thing I want to do. I want to protect her, and at the same time, I have no fucking clue what I’m doing because I’ve never been in this situation before.”
“Holy shit. I know exactly what you’re doing.”
“Then how about cluing me in?”
“You’re breaking your number one rule. You’re letting your emotions lead you.”
Aiden sighed and looked up at the sky. “Right. Fuck. That’s got to stop, but I don’t want it to.”
“Then don’t. I’ve known you for years, Aiden, and you’ve never been like this about a woman.”
“It’s only been a week. I know better.”
“You think you have control over this because you’re a control freak with every aspect of your life, but I have news for you, partner. When your heart is involved, it’s worse than when you were a teenager thinking with the head between your legs instead of the one on your shoulders. The heart is the fiercest competitor I’ve ever been up against. The best thing I ever did was take a chance and let Aurelia know how much I loved her. Now I have an amazing wife and two beautiful children, and even on the days when Bea and Christopher are cranky and driving us crazy, there’s no place else I’d rather be. Those cranky days are still the best days of our lives. So let me ask you something. How do you feel when you’re with Abby? Is your mind on work or on her?”
“I’m so damn happy with her. I never knew I wasn’t happy before, but now I see the difference. I feel the difference, and, man, I like who I am around her. I don’t feel like Remi’s protector and surrogate parent. I don’t think about work, and I don’t feel like the man with the money that everyone kowtows to. I feel like a regular guy who is totally into this amazing woman. For the first time in my life, I feel lucky, Ben. Lucky to be included in her life. No deal could ever feel better than this.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, buddy. Aurelia and our kids are everything to me.”
“Aiden!” Abby flew out the front door, beaming from ear to ear.
His heart boomed to life. “Ben, I’ve gotta—”
“I heard. Go, buddy. Be happy, and don’t fight it.”
Aiden pocketed his phone as Abby sprinted toward him, dropped the messenger bag she was carrying on the ground, and leapt into his arms. He spun her around as they kissed.
“I take it your talk with your sisters went well,” he said, setting her on her feet.
“Yes, although not at first. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d secretly called Deirdra because she gave me the same lecture you did about risking the house and the business.”
“She stands to lose a lot of money if the restaurant fails.”
“It wasn’t that. She didn’t want me to lose it, and not because of money. But because, like you, she knows how much all of this means to me. But she said this is my dream, and she’s a totally silent partner in it. That I can do as I please and she’ll support me. And I even talked to her about the house, because you were right about buying her and Cait out if I want to live here. That’s only fair. But Deirdra doesn’t want to do that, either. She said it’s money she never had, and if one day we sell the business and the house, we’ll split it all up in thirds. But for now, she said to do what I want and follow my heart.”
It sounded to him like he and Abby weren’t the only ones letting their emotions lead them. “That’s great. What about Cait?” While he didn’t believe a loan was the smartest financial decision, he was glad she and her sisters were happy with it.
“Cait,” she said with a n
ew light in her eyes. “She’s on board with it all—the home equity loan, the window-ordering lunches and sit-down dinners, everything—the same way Deirdra is. They’re so different, though. Cait is really laid-back, but she’s smart, and she asked great questions, so I know she’s not just telling me what I want to hear. She seems excited to come back, too.”
“That’s great news, Abby.”
“Yeah, it is. I hadn’t realized that Deirdra had reached out to Cait, but apparently they’re talking or texting almost every day. I’m glad they’re becoming friends, but if I know Deirdra, she’s checking up on me through Cait.”
“Does that bother you?”
She shrugged. “Not really. It’s just weird. I’m sure she’s curious about you, and worried about how I’m handling the Bistro, but there’s never been a middleman in our relationship before. I guess I’m also a little jealous that Deirdra talks to Cait more than she talks to me right now, but I figure she and I have twenty-eight years of history, and they have a lot to catch up on.” Her smile returned, and she said, “Deirdra can be really bossy, so maybe I’m more relieved not to be interrogated by her than I am jealous. In any case, I’m glad Cait is in our lives, and I think she’s really glad to have us in hers, too.”
“Navigating new sister dynamics can’t be easy, but as time goes on, I’m sure you’ll all find your places. I’m glad you have their support. So what’s next?”
“The Sweet Barista for the only coffee that tastes good to me anymore—thanks to you—and something sugary and delicious. Then we have to go to the bank to apply for the loan. I called after talking to Cait and set up an appointment. I’m so nervous, and so glad you’re helping, and . . . I’m rambling again. I’m also being pushy and assuming you are going with me to the bank. Do you want to take the day and go do something alone? Something fun? I can handle this myself.”
He loved the way she bubbled over with excitement. “Are you trying to get rid of me, beautiful?”
“Hardly. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to come with me. No expectations.”
“Oh no?” He was unable to resist teasing her, because he liked her pushy, presumptuous side, and said, “I’ll drop you off and head to the resort to check in with my office and get some work done.”
“You will do no such thing. Don’t make me tell Remi.” She picked up her messenger bag, grabbed his hand, and dragged him toward the car.
He chuckled. “I forgot to mention that if you’re going this route, you need to get a home equity line of credit, not a home equity loan. That way you’re only liable for the amount you actually use and you’re not paying interest on the rest.”
“You’re doing it again, Aiden. This is my thing, remember? I’ll make that decision.”
He gritted his teeth as he opened the passenger door and said, “Of course. Rule number one of business is to do your research.”
She gave him a deadpan look. “I thought rule number one was that my word was as good as gold.”
“There are a lot of rule number ones,” he said as she slid into the seat. “Just google home equity line of credit versus home equity loan on your phone and make your decision from there.”
As he walked around the car, he wondered where he could stop along the way to get earplugs and a muzzle, because there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d keep his mouth shut in that meeting if every single thing in the transaction wasn’t going to benefit Abby.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ON HER WAY to Shelley’s house on Friday afternoon, Abby’s thoughts drifted to Aiden, as they usually did. He was trying so hard not to step on her toes, he’d looked like it had physically pained him to keep his opinions to himself while she’d discussed financing options with the banker. When she’d finally asked for Aiden’s opinion, the gust of relief that he’d expelled had been almost comical. But he’d asked a litany of questions Abby hadn’t thought to ask, and the answers had proven that he was right about applying for a home equity line of credit instead of a home equity loan, confirming once again that he had her back, even though she knew he would have preferred she’d gone the angel investor route. They would find out next week if she was approved for the line of credit.
She climbed the front steps to Shelley’s house feeling nervous and grateful and realized that Shelley’s family had also always had her back. She’d spent as much time in Shelley’s house as she had in her own before her father died, and she had great memories of sleepovers and playdates with Leni. Her brothers would try to scare them or pull pranks on them, while her older sister, Sutton, would act like she didn’t have time for them, even though they were only a couple of years younger than her, or she’d share her vast knowledge about life and they’d eat it up. Jules, who was three years younger than Leni and Abby, would insist on sleeping wherever they slept, and then she’d fall asleep twenty minutes into the slumber party. And without fail, sometime during the evening Shelley would wrangle as many of them as she could into baking with her. Her husband, Steve, would sneak into the kitchen for tastes of whatever they were making and steal kisses from Shelley. He always took the time to ask after Abby and her sister. Baking and chatting with Leni’s parents had been one of Abby’s favorite parts of their sleepovers, and after her father died, she’d missed those carefree times. She had no idea how to thank the woman who had done so much for her family, and at the same time, she wanted to tell Shelley she shouldn’t have done it.
Gratitude and unease warred within her as she knocked on the door, still trying to come up with an appropriate thank-you.
Shelley opened the door, vibrant in a green wrap dress. “Hi, Abby. I’m so glad you called—”
Swamped with emotions, Abby threw her arms around Shelley, hugging her tight, and whispering, “Thank you. Thank you so much!”
“Wow. Now, that’s a greeting. You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Shelley let go, but Abby held her tighter. “Honey, are you okay?”
“Yes,” she whispered, but she held on for another minute, regaining control of her emotions.
When Abby finally stepped back, Shelley looked worried. “What on earth did I do to deserve that special thank-you?”
“You did things you shouldn’t have so Deirdra and I could do the things you thought we should.”
For a split second Shelley looked choked up, but she quickly schooled her expression and said, “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about, but I was happy to hear from you last night. You gave me a reason to make chicken and dumplings soup for lunch, your favorite. Come in.”
Shelley believed food made from the heart fed a person’s soul, and chicken and dumplings had been Abby’s comfort food as a child. The meal was a dead giveaway that Shelley had already figured out why Abby had come. But as Abby followed her toward the heavenly scent of homemade cooking, she had to hand it to her for keeping up the ruse.
Shelley handed her a bowl of soup and said, “I thought we’d sit out back and enjoy the sunshine while we chat.” They carried their bowls outside, where a fresh pitcher of iced tea and two place settings waited for them on the patio table. They’d been blessed with an extended warm front, and daffodils were already starting to bloom. “I’m sorry you missed Leni. She ran over to Jules’s shop.”
“I knew she was going to be busy today. We’ve been texting,” Abby said as they settled into their chairs. “We’re meeting her tonight for dinner.”
“Oh yes, she mentioned that. I love that all you kids still get together. Maybe she’ll visit more often now that you’re moving to the island.”
“Maybe,” Abby said, wrestling with what to say next. It was obvious Shelley didn’t want to fess up to what she’d done, but Abby couldn’t let it go. She’d have to ease into it. She ate some soup and said, “Thank you for making time for me, and for making this. It’s delicious.”
“You’re very welcome. I wasn’t sure what you wanted to talk about, but favorite foods go a long way. Your romantic new beau, perhaps? The Bistro? The sisterly surpris
e your mother left you?”
“Sure, all of those things. But, Shelley, Aiden and I went through the books for the Bistro the other day, and we found some rather unusual transactions. I thought you might want to tell me about them.”
Shelley ate a spoonful of soup and said, “Not really, no.”
“Shelley . . .” She didn’t want to push, but at the same time, she did want to talk about it.
Shelley set down her spoon and put her hand over Abby’s. “Honey, I promised you the island would take care of your mom, and I meant it. I only wish we had known how sick she was before it was too late, but with the restaurant closed for the winter, our visits were few and far between. She claimed she wasn’t sleeping and begged out of our get-togethers. We all tried to reach out to her. Lenore, the other Bra Brigaders, Margot . . . But your mama was a proud woman.”
“I wouldn’t say proud, considering she let you do so much for her, and she let the Bra Brigaders work for free.”
“Oh, honey. She never knew what we did, or about the ladies not being paid. Ava didn’t look at the books. She trusted me.”
For some reason Abby suddenly felt like she was going to cry. She took a sip of her iced tea, steeling herself against the guilt rising inside her, and said, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for her. I know you were with her in the end, and I understand why you didn’t call us. I wish . . .”
“I know what you wish, sweetheart. You would have been there if you’d known, just as I would have called you if my loyalty didn’t have to lie with her first. That might seem hard to understand. But as a mother, I know there are certain things some parents can’t handle, and as I said when I met with you and your sisters, your mom had hit her limit.”
Abby nodded. “Do you think if I had stayed on the island anything would have been different?” She’d asked Shelley all of these questions right after her mother died, but she needed to hear the answers again.
“Yes. You would have resented her as much as Deirdra does, and you would not have had the chance to become the amazing woman you are.” She squeezed Abby’s hand and said, “You couldn’t have saved her, Abby. Nobody could have. We tried to get her help time and time again, but you know how that went, because you tried, too.”
Maybe We Will (Silver Harbor) Page 22
