Chapter Eighty
Declan
“Dad, you here?”
My parents’ house smells like garlic as soon as I walk through the door.
“We’re in here, Son.”
Flipping through my paperwork, I falter mid-step, eyebrows tugging together. Not in annoyance, just surprise. Everyone’s sitting around the dining table: Mom, Dad, Cooper’s parents, Grace squished between them, snagging a piece of bread from the middle.
“You didn’t bring Cooper,” she grumbles, her entire body deflating.
“No, he’s uh…” I’m distracted, my head full of expansion plans and floor layouts, so it takes me a few seconds to catch up. “Sorry, I didn’t realize everyone was here. I can come back later if—”
“Nonsense,” Mom says, sliding her chair over to make room. “Grab a bowl and join us.”
Dad leans forward and nods toward the papers in my hand. “What you got there?”
“Something Cooper sent,” I say, glancing down at the folder. “A, uh…potential expansion idea.”
His eyebrows lift. “Expansion?”
I pass it over, sitting beside him before I lose the nerve.
He flips open the cover, the top page showcasing the Toronto listing.
Cooper was right; it is kind of perfect.
The red brick matches The Lost Compass now, and the wide windows appear to be original, the entire place giving that feel like it has stories soaked into the walls.
“I sort of went down a rabbit hole after that,” I say, flicking to another page with business projections, property notes, the works. “He also sent investor possibilities, or people he thinks would be willing to partner. Or something like that.”
Holly presses a hand to her chest. “He sent you all that?”
“Yeah,” I say, suddenly self-conscious. “He said the building reminded him of me.”
“Investors? Are you sure that's what you want?” Dad asks, frowning as he lifts his head to look at me.
Shaking my head, I lean over to show him the bank statements. “I don’t think I’d need any. I might need a small business loan, but I think I can do it myself.”
Dad and Seth exchange a look across the table, an entire conversation in one twitch of the head. “You’ve been avoiding expanding for years, Son.”
“Didn’t see the point.” I shrug.
“And Cooper mentions it once, and suddenly, you’re here with the floor plans, asking your dad’s opinion,” Mom teases, hiding her smirk behind her wineglass. Heat crawls up my neck, and I shift in my chair. “You know what I mean, sweetheart. It’s good to see you excited about something again.”
Holly nods, hand resting on my arm. “And Cooper. He hasn’t been this…alive in years. He’s calling us more, talking about coming home.” She pauses, squeezing gently. “To you.”
I glance up. “He does?”
“Oh, honey,” she says, laughing lightly. “You’ve always been his home. Just took him long enough to figure it out.”
My stomach does this swooping, tightening thing.
Because Cooper saying he’s coming home is one thing, an idea I’ve not allowed myself to fully believe.
Cooper planning for it, finding listings, talking about studios, telling his parents how he wants to come back to me…
that’s something else entirely. The fear’s still there, sure, tucked into the recess of my mind, where it’s lived for years.
But for the first time, it’s not as loud.
“Okay, so what exactly are you thinking of doing with this?” Dad asks, tapping the folder off the table.
“That’s the thing. I don’t know.”
Except I do. I’ve been thinking about it non-stop since the moment the email landed in my inbox last night. The bar, the layout, how to design something that doesn’t just mimic The Lost Compass, but expands its horizons.
“I just wanted your opinion,” I say. “That’s all.”
Dad inhales a long, steady breath. “Okay. Let’s take a look.”
Seth and Dad sink into an animated discussion about square footage, zoning, whether they know anyone in town who owes them a favor. I back away, heading into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, leaning against the counter, about to pull out my phone, when Mom sidles up beside me.
“We always hoped you’d find your way back to each other,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy.”
Her words land low in my chest, warm and settled. “I love him, Mom.”
“I know, sweetheart. You always have.” Lifting her head, her dark eyes catch mine. “He’s better with you in his life. And you’re better with him in yours.”
Kissing my cheek, she grabs a new bottle of wine, leaving me to watch the group argue about plumbing codes. Pulling out my phone, I duck my head, hiding my smile as I text.
Me
Showed Dad the plans. Not saying yes yet, but I…want to. Is that wild?
The bubbles bounce around my screen instantly.
Cooper
Hell no. You’ve got this.
You and me, Dec. Always.