Page 180 of One Wrong Move

“It’s not very long.”

“He’s a concise man,” I say dryly. “Now that we’ve all stood up to him in the span of a year, has he decided to cut us out of his will? Is he making an offer to buy out our individual shares in Contron?”

“No. He’s saying he’s sorry,” she says quietly.

My eyes open. That’s impossible. “Read it.”

She clears her throat. “Nate. You’re my secondborn. The most like your mother. Now you’re in London, working for Contron.”

“He’s starting by listing the facts,” I mutter. “This isn’t good.”

She ignores me. “You had harsh words for me when we last spoke. But some of them were accurate. I have indeed raised all three of you to be firm, independent, ambitious, hardworking. On all counts, I can say that I have succeeded. I’ve brought up three strong-minded children.”

“Yay him,” I say.

Harper continues as if I hadn’t spoken. “This has caused friction between us. I understand I’ve had my part to play in this. But I don’t want to leave you with just a legacy. I want to leave you with a few good memories, too. This August, I’d like to invite you to the new house in The Hamptons for a small ceremony. I have asked Lauren to marry me. We’re currently in prenup negotiations. This will not affect my will.”

That makes me chuckle. “Of course. He never changes.”

“But this is change,” Harper says, her voice rising with excitement. “This is an apology. Right? Veiled as it may be?”

“It’s the closest he’s ever come to one, yeah,” I say. “Is there anything else?”

“I know I don’t say it often,” she continues, “but I am proud of all three of you. Contron is more prominent today than it was during my time, and that’s because of you and your siblings. I recently visited your mother’s grave for the first time in years. She wanted the world for you. It struck me, how disappointed she would be with me—” Harper chokes up a little and takes a moment to audibly swallow,”—for wasting the God-given time I have with my children in anger, while she was robbed of so much of it with you. The shame I felt then is not one I want to relive.”

I blink up at the sky. See my mother in front of me, as clear as if it was just yesterday. With her auburn hair and wide smile, telling me how stylish I looked in my little kid tux. It’s my favorite memory of her to return to.

“Finally,” I mutter. He’s spent so long avoiding talking about Mom. Avoided mentioning that he was dating again when we all knew that he and Lauren from the executive team were closer than mere long-standing acquaintances.

“For a long time, I knew my role. It was to be strong for you. To guide you. But as you reminded me, Nathaniel, all three of my children are now grown. Perhaps, I can afford to take a different approach. Come to the house in August. I’ll text the details. Partners are welcome. Dad.”

It takes a lengthy moment before I can form a response. “Well, damn,” I say.

Harper sets the letter down beside us on the blanket. Her warm hand finds my neck. “That sounds promising. Doesn’t it?” she asks softly.

“Yes. Which is why I don’t trust it… not yet.”

She smiles. “Trust but verify?”

“Something like that. Partners are welcome,” I repeat and watch the tender expression in her eyes. “I don’t know if I want to expose you to him. He loves to put his foot in his mouth.”

Her lip quirks up. “He’s not you. I know that.”

“He definitely isn’t,” I say.

“I think it sounds good. Like the possibility of a new beginning.” She runs a light finger along my jaw. “And I am a big fan of new beginnings.”

Harper, almost two years later

The sun shines down upon us, scorching the Italian countryside. August is the month when Southern Europeans escape their cities for the Mediterranean Sea, and here we are, doing the opposite.

The top is down in the car. Nate is driving, one hand on the wheel and one on my bare knee. He loves to keep it there when he drives, and I love it there, too. And in the rearview mirror, Siena. I look at it getting smaller and smaller behind us as we drive further into Tuscany.

We started our trip up north. Lake Como, Milan, before heading to Venice for a few days. That was amazing. Everything I could have hoped for and more. Then, we drove down to Tuscany.

Which is also more than I could have hoped for.

Italy is beating my already high expectations, surpassing them on the regular. It’s terribly hot, but I’m enjoying that, too. Living in breezy sundresses and having my curls permanently in a ponytail.

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