Page 66 of It Happened in Vegas

They launched into investment structures and payment plans. I nodded along, even asked a few questions, and made notes of the ways my marketing research could assist besides naming the restaurant. Amidst thoughts of demographic research and grand opening campaigns, my phone buzzed in my blazer pocket.

I checked it, and the name flashing across the screen stopped my heart cold.

Griffin.

I glanced quickly at Keaton who saw it, too, and scowled, probably thinking this was some guy he had to compete with, like that hockey player who finally got the hint to stop calling me. A part of me loved seeing him get worked up when another man showed interest though.

But Griffin West was far from a suitor.I hadn’t heard from my stepbrother in some time, not since he called after his father died. Not since the reading of the will. Out of all my stepbrothers, Griffin was always the nicest to me. Still, I’d kept my distance from them, for good reason.

My fingers twitched to answer. "Excuse me," I said quickly, standing. "I need to take this."

I slipped into the hallway and answered. “Griff?”

"About time, butterfly,” Griffin said, using the old nickname the brothers called me. Skinny with big teeth when we first all became a family, by the time our parents divorced when I was in high school, I’d blossomed and had a glow up—thus butterfly became my nickname. "I thought I might have to ambush you at that brewery to get your attention."

It figured how he’d know exactly where to find me. Like his father before him, who always kept tabs on me after the attempted kidnapping, even if I didn’t want a thing to do with him anymore.

"What do you want?"

“Can’t I call and wish you well on your marriage?”

“So you know about that? Were you in Vegas?”

“I happened to be there on business when my security team alerted me to your involvement on that beer show.” I could hear the snicker in his voice, considering he had a wine cellar stocked with expensive, rare bottles of French wine. How quickly mystepbrothers forgot their humble beginnings and that, thanks to my mother, they were now able to lead the life of luxury.

“Oh. Thanks, I guess.”

“Are you not happy?”

Because of the NDA, I couldn’t tell him my nuptials had an expiration date. “I am happy. Very.”

“Keaton Michael Kingston. Born in Holly Creek to parents who had little to their name. A self-made man by all accounts. His business seems pretty stable.”

“What are you doing?”

“Making sure you’re marrying for all the right reasons. While you're playing house in the countryside, I’m taking care of our family business. You know my father wouldn’t have wanted anything to tarnish our name.”

I closed my eyes, feeling a headache coming on. "I'm aware."

"You need to come see me. Soon. This isn’t something you can ignore."

"I'll check my calendar."

“Or maybe a trip to the country would be a nice change of scenery? It’s Fall and I’ll bet the leaves are turning.”

“No, you don’t need?—”

He hung up without a goodbye.

I exhaled slowly, the pressure in my chest returning like an old unwelcomed friend. When I returned to the boardroom, Archer was rolling up the plans and Richard was practically glowing.

“This project will make yourself a name in the region, Keaton. I’m proud to be a part of it.” Archer held his hand out to shake his. I stood proudly aside, looking upon Keaton and the progress his business had made since I first arrived at the beginning of summer. Being on the ground floor of something growing was so satisfying.

Richard looked up from his phone and fist pumped the air. “Yes!” All eyes turned toward him. "This is it, Keaton. I've just gotten word from my distributor contacts. They want a meeting. You’re on the map. Everything you and Sophie have done is paying off.”

“Are you serious?" Keaton beamed, the glow reaching his eyes. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done to help me, Richard.”

“Bask in the glory for now, my friend. But we have a lot of work to do to prepare for the meeting. Hey, Archer, I’ll walk you out.” The minute Richard left the room, Keaton dashed over to me and picked me straight up, spinning us around. I yelped.

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