51. Quentin
“I propose a toast,” Simon said, raising a mimosa with his shaky, blotchy hand.
The five of us founders and his daughter sat around the table, eating breakfast as the sun rose over the mountains.
After the chef had prepared our final breakfast, she left, so it was just the seven of us, one dysfunctional, unhappy family sitting down to a meal together.
Simon set the glass back down on the table, too weak to hold it, while he continued.
“First, I want to congratulate you on your first device-free retreat. I know personally that after a life spent hustling, it’s hard to slow down and sit with the people around you.
” He reached over to Aleyna sitting next to him and grabbed her hand.
She dropped her head softly on his shoulder and smiled like there was nowhere else she’d rather be.
Then Simon looked around the table at us and said, “I’m proud of you men. You’ve built a business and lifelong friendships. Even when things got rocky, you showed up at the table”—he gestured at the table—“to get the work done.”
Then he said, “I also want to toast to my daughter and her exciting new business venture.” He smiled at her, looking younger than he had in weeks despite all the sores still healing on his skin. “You all are looking at the founder of Luster, a women’s intimates brand.”
Aleyna’s cheeks colored, and I was amazed she could be shy about anything.
“Cheers,” Bryce said, lifting his glass, and we all echoed him. Glancing around the table, I met Jude’s eyes by accident. They looked haunted, even more so with the bruising around his nose and mouth. Bryce’s knuckles were scabbed over on his glass, but he was otherwise untouched.
Aaric stood next, pushing back his chair. “I’d also like to make a toast.”
“Here we go,” Cruz muttered.
I chuckled, and Aaric suppressed a smile as he raised his glass. “To getting our phones back.”
That earned an even louder round of “cheers.”
Leaving his mimosa flute on the table, Aaric left and then returned with the safe.
We all scrambled in that direction, but Simon raised his voice to say, “Could you wait until after the meal? For me.”
We all looked around at each other, and begrudgingly, Cruz said, “Okay, the booty calls can wait until later.”
Aaric snorted and Simon chuckled. “So you’re saying you’re planning on a shotgun wedding?” Simon said.
Cruz shrugged with a playful grin on his face.
Simon said, “I’m excited to see what woman you marry. I bet she’ll be incredible.”
Aleyna’s expression pinched at the words, but then she quickly masked it with a smile. It must be uncomfortable for her to be here, knowing that we were actively battling for her father’s company so she wouldn’t get it.
Simon excused himself to the bathroom, leaving the five of us and Aleyna alone. Once I was sure he couldn’t hear us, I whispered, “Aleyna, if you’re looking for seed money for Luster, selling your father’s MyHome shares would be a good way to get it.”
The table went silent, and everyone stared at me, like they were shocked I’d spoken. Aleyna was the one who broke the silence. “Why would you suggest that after you got married?”
Cruz nodded emphatically, like he thought I was crazy. “You don’t want your prenup to be for nothing.”
“Marrying Rei could never be for nothing,” I said, voice husky.
Aaric said, “If we had Aleyna’s shares, it would dilute Jasper and Dominic’s power...” He gave Jude a meaningful look, and Jude nodded.
I wasn’t sure what the meaning was behind that communication. Or what Aleyna would make of our offer.
But she said, “Dad has already offered to invest.”
Disappointment weighed down my chest, making it hard to suck in another breath. I know the guys all agreed to get married, but I wasn’t sure if Jude, or even Cruz, could handle it.
I drank from my champagne flute and then ate my meal while awkward conversation started and halted and started again.
Finally, a big car came to pick us up and take us to the airport. Aaric brought along the safe, passing out our devices on the ride.
As soon as I had my phone, I saw a long line of messages waiting for me. One made my chest soften.
Rei: I’ll be home when you get here. I can’t wait to see you.
And then one made my heart hammer.
Mom: I wish I could talk to you and tell you this, but you’re away from your phone and I want you to hear it from me first... When I was out shopping with Rei, we ran into Claire. I completely lost my cool, and I had to tell Rei why. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.
Acid churned in my stomach. I’d been so excited to get home and see my wife. Her message made it seem like she wanted to see me too. Was she upset to find out about Claire from my mom? Should I have told her sooner?
There wasn’t a playbook for marriage, and there definitely wasn’t a guide for a quickie marriage of convenience. That just left us to muddle through. Hopefully we could figure it out.
My back muscles were tight as I walked to my front door. Before I could get to the handle, the door opened, and Rei stood there in a long silk dress. She closed the distance between us and wrapped her arms around my middle. “I missed you.”
I held on to her, throat feeling tight. “I missed you too.”
She tilted her head back, still holding on to me in the threshold. “I have to talk to you about something.”
I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. “I know. Let’s talk later. I want you first.”