Page 141 of Ever With Me

His approval meant more than Maddie could say, but she just smiled.

Since her discussion with Brooks the other morning, they’d fallen back into their routine before the attack. Nights together, days mostly apart. Except with bodyguards, now. And Brooks had been busier than ever trying to sort his contract with the label in online meetings with his lawyer.

But she was happy. Brooks seemed more relaxed, even, now that their security had increased.

Pops reached for the container. “What’d you bring me?”

“Um, they’re dark chocolate-covered dates filled with natural peanut butter. As close to healthy as I could get. They won’t be sweet enough for you, but Bunny’s been on patrol. She even checked my bodyguard’s pockets to make sure he wouldn’t sneak you something.”

“Depriving an old man of his favorite foods isn’t going to make him want to live any longer,” Pops said, wrinkling his nose at the container. “Dates remind me of roaches.”

“But they’renot.” She nudged the container closer to him. “Just try them. Doesn’t have to be now. You can wait until I’m gone so you’re free to spit them out if you don’t like them.”

“You know, I’m glad you’re here without Brooks,” Pops said, settling back against his pillow. “Because I have an important discussion to have with you.”

Maddie tried not to show her alarm. “How important?”

“Eh, pretty important. To me, at least. And the future direction of my company.” His blue eyes searched hers. “I wish I’d had this talk with you a few months ago, but I didn’t, and I worry this isn’t a good time for it, but I’d like you to take over as the face of my operation. You do too much behind the scenes. I think going from me to you makes the most sense, but it’s a lot of responsibility.”

Pops wants me to step into his role?

The revelation was astounding.

Her face must have expressed shock.

“I know any of you kids could carry the torch, but you’re the most like me. Jake has the personality for it, too, so he’d be a good backup if you don’t want it, but I want you to think it over. Seriously. I’m not sure if I’ll be up for filming in a few weeks or not—maybe—but I’ll have to talk it over with the doc. But either way, I want whoever is stepping into my position to be there so we can start the transition.”

Wow.They’d all talked around what would happen after Pops passed, but never made a solid plan because, well, none of them wanted to even really think about life without Peter Yardley. She was tempted to tear up now, even considering it.

“I—” She stared at him.

How could she ever fit into his shoes?

She couldn’t.Plain and simple.

Her grandfather was irreplaceable.

“Pops, I-I don’t know what to say.”

He set his hand over hers. “You don’t have to answer now. I’ve already talked about this with my production team and your father, by the way. Just to make sure that my wishes were known. But I know there’s a lot to consider, especially because your heart may just take you elsewhere.”

Her heart.

She blinked, his full meaning dawning on her.

Brooks.

Being the face of her grandfather’s company didn’t just mean taking on more responsibility. It meant even more permanency here in Brandywood.

Her grandfather filmed here. He was available to his fans here. Brandywood was a huge part of Peter Yardley’s brand.

Pops squeezed her hand. “I don’t want you to decide based on what you think I want to hear, Maddie. You need to do what’s best foryou.Brooks is in your life now, and he doesn’t live here. I don’t know what his plans are or where he’s heading, but as much as I would love for life to be a fairy tale, I can tell you from my minor exposure to fame—it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Living in a small town would be very difficult for a man like him.”

Standing, Maddie crossed the room to the small sink and turned on the faucet. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts, especially since Pops was discussing significant issues. She splashed water on her face and gulped down a mouthful of water.

Brooks’s voice filled her memory.“I’m not about to drag you into that prison with me. You deserve the sun on your face, to live your life with complete, uninhibited joy, free of scrutiny. I refuse to take that from you.”

Unable to face Pops, she asked, “Why would it be so hard for him to live here?”

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