Page 89 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

A cool April breeze slides over my skin, but the chill that runs down my back is thanks to his looming words.

“I was furious with you when you took off from Banff like that.”

“Believe me, I would never have done it if it hadn’t been for . . . ” I swallow. Personal life and business shouldn’t mix. They’re supposed to stay squarely in two separate camps. And to the old guard, business comes first. That’s why they go through wives so quickly, why so many of their children don’t visit often. “Lily will always come first for me. I understand if that makes you wary of joining me in this.”

Danforth sighs. “You have your priorities right. I’m just jealous you figured it out sooner than I was able to.”

I’m unsure what to say, so we walk in silence out onto the lookout point where the girls have already perched on the edge of a rock to take in the view of the bay. Early spring in Cider Bayis gorgeous. Green budding everywhere, birdsong coming to life after months of quiet, and days growing longer.

“It’s a slower way of life here,” Danforth says, his tone indecipherable.

“Yes, it takes getting used to.”

Danforth nods softly.

Lily glances over her shoulder at me and smiles, her chin tucked on her shoulder and her nose scrunching. My stomach flips. I often get glimpses of the girl I once knew all those years ago. The one my teenage heart couldn’t stop beating for.

“Look, Danforth, I know this isn’t what you had in mind,” I say, ripping my eyes from Lily. “But I believe it could work.”

Danforth appraises me for a moment before nodding. “I think so too.”

There’s a glimpse of hope I don’t want to linger on.

“I wanted to work with you, Jackson. The project was exciting because I knew I had the right man for the job. And even though you pissed me the hell off, I have to saynowI have a deeper respect for you. You put her first. That’s something I’m just learning to do.”

I nod once. “I don’t always succeed, but . . . with the twins and her studio, taking her from Cider Bay is out of the question. Our families are here. Our work is going to be too.”

Danforth smiles softly, then sticks out his hand toward me.

I look at it with a quirked eyebrow.

“It’s a handshake. You haven’t forgotten what those are, right?”

I take his hand. “But what’s it—”

“I’m in,” Danforth says. “Carina loves it here. Thinks it’s quaint which is a compliment in her eyes, and I want to take a page out of your book. Make her happy and let the rest fall into place.”

We shake on it while I do my best to veil my shock. I thought he was about to let me down. Politely. Kindly, of course. Not . . . agree.

“There are details to work out, of course,” he says.

“Of course.”

“But I’m going to let you take the lead,” Danforth says. “Let’s make it happen.”

Before we can speak any further, Carina squeals in delight and leaps off the rock, bounding toward us. She launches herself into Danforth’s side. “We have to go!” she announces.

He does his best to steady himself. “Oh?”

“Lily’s giving us matching tattoos. We’ve already discussed the details. We’ll be the first ones to get them in her new shop. A month before it’s open! I can post on social media about it and everything.”

Danforth gapes at his wife. “Tattoos? I, well, I don’t—”

“Please! Please, we’ll be patronizing the work of an independent artist.”

I laugh as Lily comes over to join us. I give her a sly smile. “Was this your idea?”

“Not even a bit,” she says. “All Carina.”

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