Page 72 of Full Circle

He snorted. By now we had spent enough time together that we could read each other like a book. While I wouldn’t necessarily call him a friend, Phillip had definitely earned my respect with the work and dedication he provided for all aspects of my life. Working myself to death seemed to have improved his impression of me, too.

“You have orientation, followed by a board meeting this afternoon. And I need your answer for the shoot in Rio,” he stated.

I punched the bag again in my frustration. “Jesus Christ, my father owns the fucking company. I’ve been coming to his business meetings since I was barely old enough to walk. I seriously have to attend orientation on my first day?”

He shrugged, which was his habit when he agreed with my assessment but didn’t want to risk badmouthing Madden Enterprises. No matter what, Phillip would always remain loyal to my father.

I gritted my teeth. “Fine. Hold off on Rio. I have no clue what I’ll be doing that far out. Anything else?”

“The nurse called. Shirley passed away early this morning.” Phillip looked grim, no doubt assuming the news would set me off.

My already too small of a heart shrank further. Great Aunt Shirley had been my last link to River’s Run, to what I considered my real life, which was why I paid for a private nurse to care for her the past eight years. My schedule was far too demanding to visit, but I called her on the phone as often as I could. As the years passed, her mind was gone, often confusing me for her dead husband or dead son, but I tried to make her smile as best I could. She took me in when nobody else would, and if not for her generosity, I never would have met Celeste. I owed a lot to her.

Hearing of her death brought up so many mixed feelings and memories…sadness, regret, belonging. She gave me something no one else had ever given me before—a home. I loved her for it. I should’ve made more of an effort to visit. Poor aunt Shirley went to the grave without ever truly knowing how much she meant to me.

“It looks like she’s made you the executor of her estate,” Phillip added.

“Guess today won’t be my first day after all,” I commented.

“Wesley, with all due respect, you can’t seriously be thinking of?—”

“Of what? Putting my first day at my father’s corporation on hold because of a family issue requiring my attention?” I snarled. “Pretty sure they aren’t gonna fire me. Benedict won’t even notice.”

It was true. I hadn’t seen or actually spoken to my father in almost three years due to our conflicting schedules. Well, that and the fact that I actively avoided him at all costs.

My mind was made up. Aunt Shirley deserved more in life than what I had given her, so the least I could do was go down in person to settle her affairs. Maybe I’d even get a chance to say goodbye in some small way.

Phillip’s eyebrows contorted as he grappled with his response.

“Just spit it out,” I ordered. I already knew what he was going to say.

“What about her?” He didn’t need to use her name for me to know who he meant.

Exhilaration and anxiety were currently dancing in my chest. I wanted to see Celeste more than I wanted to take my next breath. Perhaps this was my chance to finally make things right between us. It could be a sign that our timing was finally right.

“Guess it’s a good thing my charming personality is still intact.” I winked at him.

Slowly unwinding the hand wrap from my workout, I turned towards the window, effectively dismissing him. All of downtown Atlanta was visible from the apartment I purchased a few blocks away from my father’s building, but in my mind’s eye, the only thing I could see was a young girl with a wild brown mane of hair and a shy smile.

“I’m coming home to you, lovebug,” I whispered.

CHAPTER 32

THE WELCOME WAGON

CELESTE

Spending time with Maggie was nearly impossible over the next two days. One of the grill tops stopped working and without money for an electrician, the repairs fell on me. I watched every YouTube video I could find at night after the restaurant closed, but nothing I tried did any good. The grill top unit would have to be replaced or worse—the entire appliance might need to go.

It was therefore incredibly tempting when she arrived on Friday morning, arm in arm with Marla, and sang out, “We’re going to a masquerade tonight!”

Wait—a what?

“A masquerade? Did we go back in time?” I quipped.

Marla laughed as she came around the corner and untied the apron around my waist. “I’m taking over for the day.”

Maggie grinned. “It’s a costume party over in Savannah! Some big charity auction, party-thing hosted by an anonymous bigwig. I won tickets on the radio this morning!”

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