Page 6 of Daring Destiny

Shit. I totally forgot Connor’s in the middle of some band drama. Rookie fucking mistake.

“No, no. Of course not, I’m sorry.” I wave my hand in the air to try to erase what I said. “I’d never ask you about…” I stumble over my words. “Uh, this is completely on a different topic. I was actually wondering about your brother Brennan.”

Connor squints at me. “May I ask how you know my brother?”

“I went to high school with him.” I feel my cheeks redden as I try to regain my professional composure. “I have something of his I’d like to return. How about this. If I give you my card will you pass it on to him? Let him decide?”

He leans back and crosses his arms. “Surely you have alternative ways of getting ahold of him?”

Goddammit. I’m losing all semblance of credibility. I’ve got to abort the mission.

“Forget I said anything. It’s stupid. Of course I can figure it out…” I tuck my business card back in my purse.

“It’s fine.” Ronni grips my wrist lightly. “Give it to me, we’ll get it to Brennan.” She tilts her head at Connor. “It’s not like she couldn’t have asked Jason.”

Connor’s toothy smile creeps over his face. “Ah, you’ve piqued my interest, Miss Astrid. I was feckin’ with you and all your ‘pride yourself on being discreet’ shite. Of course we’ll put you in touch. Hopefully he’ll tear himself away from his computer to respond, but no promises.”

“Brennan’s such a genius, but he’s so focused on his company, he doesn’t make time for a social life.” Ronni winks at me.

Connor chuckles, shaking his head. “Brennan’s single by choice. Don’t get any bright ideas, wife.”

I keep my expression neutral, but inside, I’m piecing together the picture of the Brennan I vaguely remember with the guy they describe. It makes sense. He was always on the periphery, observing but never quite participating. And now, he’s channeled his focus into building a company into one of the biggest brands in the world.

What catches my attention, though, is Ronni’s comment about him not dating much. Considering how successful he’s become, it’s oddly reassuring to consider he hasn’t gone to the dark side. Many of my tech clients are the opposite. Self-important know-it-alls with a chip on their shoulder. I’ve seen some treat women like accessories, or worse.

I’m not interested in romance with Brennan though, so I need to shut the idea down. “I appreciate you putting me back in touch. I promise I’m not trying to date him.”

We make our way back to the office and finalize the closing items. Once they’re on their way, I stare out of my office window at Mt. Rainier and think back to high school.

I envied families like the McGloughlins and how close they were. Six brothers who had each other’s backs through thick and thin. They went through tough times together. Though I didn’t tell him this, Connor was somewhat of a hero in our school, and not because he’s a rockstar. My research confirmed my recollection. After his father’s accident, he sacrificed a football scholarship and his own college degree to make sure his brothers could finish their own schooling.

Talk about selfless. He’s a fucking legend.

My family is the complete opposite, with parents who worked themselves to the bone and scraped by to make ends meet. Me and my two older sisters were mostly unsupervised, and while I was the responsible one, they ran wild. Nora’s been in and out of rehab at least four times. Lark doesn’t feel compelled to hold down a job, but has three kids with three different men.

I broke the poverty cycle, thank God. The one daughter who made something of herself. But my success has come with a price. I’m essentially estranged from all of them because they resent me. Though guilt gnaws at me, especially when I send money to help out, being around them isn’t conducive for my mental health. So I stay away.

On my way home, my phone pings. I glance down and see it’s from Connor—texting Brennan’s number.

My stomach flutters nervously at the thought of contacting him for some strange reason. I’m not even sure we spoke to each other in high school, as far as I can remember. It’s entirely possible he’ll have no idea who I am.

It doesn’t matter. This is something I have to do.

I owe it to him.

It’s time to right a wrong.

two

Brennan

A Few Days Later

WTFcouldAstridGustafssonpossibly want with me?

For the past few days this thought has whirled around in my head on an endless loop.

I couldn’t believe it when my brother, Connor, casually mentioned she was his realtor. Then he told me she asked for my number. Something about having something of mine from back in high school.

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