Page 108 of Things Left Unsaid

“That’s all Cody. He’s the photographer of the family.”

“Why aren’t you in the shot then?”

“Didn’t want to be.”

Humming, I drift over to the desk. “Why haven’t you changed this room?”

He blinks. “I didn’t think either of those questions were what you were going to ask.”

“You mean you don’t know everything? Shock, horror!”

His sheepish grin is half-shielded by his hand as he scratches his jaw.

I forgot how much I missed that nervous tick of his.

It always made me want to smooth my fingers over his stubble.

That’s when I see the two coffee cups on the desk and Iknowone is for me because it’s the color of mud—just enough milk to take off the bitterness.

I also know it’ll have no sugar in it.

When I reach for it, he nods ever-so-slightly as I take it, murmuring, “It’s always been Pops’s room. Why would I change it?”

“It’s not anymore though, is it?”

The coffee is prepared perfectly.

He’s always seen too much.

“No. But it doesn’t bother me.”

“How can’t it?” Pulling a face, I glance around the space. “It’s so depressing. And how do you see what you’re doing without ten lights on?”

“Is that you asking me to turn on ten lights?”

“Yeah, if you want me to sign something.”

“Quite a few somethings.” He taps the desk. “Nothing major. Just the transfer of ownership from Juliette to you and the triplets.”

I stagger back, hard enough for the coffee in my hand to spill. “Nothing major?”

“Was that you entering a whole other octave?”

“Y-You… You’re s-serious?” I sputter, deciding that it’ll be safer all round if I return the coffee to the coaster on the desk.

“Sure am. There are also power-of-attorney forms.”

“On whose behalf?”

“Mine so that I can act for you in matters regarding the Bar 9.” His chair creaks as he rocks it. “It’s fine if you don’t want to sign that over to me yet though. I know it’s a big ask.”

“You think I’d sign myself over to you but not the Bar 9?”

“You didn’t sign yourself over to me.”

“Sure I did. You figure the Bar 9 means more to me than my safety? IfGrand-mèrehad tried to get me to marry your father, I’d have run away faster than you could say ‘Zee.’ But, you’re you. I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. Or the Bar 9. Unlike your father.”

“Wish I could say otherwise, but he’d take advantage of the situation for sure.”

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