Page 120 of The Version You Hide

“Don’t tell me he’d actually consider that.” I can’t believe he would go to such lengths to save my grandmother’s art studio.

Except I can believe it.

Because he’s the quintessential nice guy. The very quality that made me cautious of his character is now the thing that I love about him most.

“Honestly? I don’t think he knows what he’s doing right now. He was gutted when he saw the documents on the desk this morning,” she explains. “He was mumbling something about selling a boat and giving up diving.”

“He can’t do that. I won’t let him.” I turn to Grace, my voice laced with concern. “I need to go to him.”

“Go,” Grace instructs firmly.

“But the gallery,” I say. “Will you be okay?”

“I’ve got it covered,” she replies. “Go get your boy and tell him the good news.”

“Come on.” Claire says, nodding in the direction of the Ferrari behind her. “I’ll take you to him.”

Chapter 37

DYLAN

I can’t believe this is happening. I’m furious with my father for once again putting business before people. Before family. That’s when I realise it.

Mackenzie is family. No matter what happens, I want her to be in my life. Always.

If she can even stand to look at me ever again.

Me and my stupid, big, fat mouth. I never should have mentioned where she was that day. I never should have spoken about her at all. I should have known better how to protect her.

I’ve been sitting here on the deck of this half-finished boat trying to think up all the right ways I can tell her that my father’s company is putting her grandmother’s business out to dry.

God, their relationship is so fragile already. If this ruins things between them, I’ll never forgive myself.

My anxiety worsens with every second that ticks by. Because there’s another relationship at stake here, and I’m not talking about the one between me and my father. Things between us have been shaky for quite some time and I’ve wondered for the past few months if it will ever be salvageable.

I’m talking about me and Mackenzie.

I never expected to have to make this choice. Do I risk Grace’s livelihood for the sake of my own ambitions or give up what I’ve been working so hard for so that nothing has to change for her?

Of course, I already know what needs to be done.

And maybe returning to the Abbott group to work for my father doesn’t have to mean giving up on my dream. Maybe I’d just be postponing it for a little while. I’d be earning way more money. I could afford to keep the boat here in the warehouse.

Maybe I could try to find a way to have the best of both worlds.

Even as the thought registers in my brain, I know it would be impossible. I simply can’t run a company on such a large scale and still operate a dive charter boat simultaneously.

Another half hour passes before I hear the unmistakeable rumble of a Ferrari engine.

Claire’s come back.

I lean forward, my head in my hands. I’d hoped I’d have more time to think before she returned. I don’t look up when I hear the door to the warehouse slide open, nor when I hear footsteps climbing the ladder to the boat.

“Well, don’t you look like a fish out of water.” The voice

doesn’t belong to my sister. I’d know that voice anywhere.

I take in the converse sneakers as they move in front of me, my gaze travelling upward over long lean legs, denim cut-off shorts and finally a wild mane of blonde curls.

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