Page 138 of Return to Us
“Because of the fire?”
“Yeah,” I say, feeling the nerves again. “The baby’s growth rate is what we’re watching now. So far, the tests they’ve been able to run have come back in our favor, but . . .” Grayson’s eyes study me. The blue-green warmth infuses me with strength. “We’ll know more next week, so we’re just staying cautiously optimistic.”
“No matter what, though, we’ll be okay,” Grayson reassures me.
“We will.”
“You both are really handling this well,” Brenna notes.
Jacob laughs. “Please don’t do your shrink thing with them.”
“I’m not. I’m just saying the truth. You’ve all been through a lot, and I’m just glad everyone is handling it well. That’s just an observation, not therapy.”
He takes her hand, kissing her palm. “Sure, dear.”
“You’re trouble.”
“But I’myourtrouble.”
Her lips part, and she groans. “God help me.”
The food and champagne, which is my favorite vintage, are brought out. Since I can’t drink any, I sip my apple juice in a flute and pretend.
We eat and talk about the movie and Jacob’s plans for living in California and Pennsylvania. Then the conversation circles to what we wanted to discuss with him.
Grayson does all the talking since it is business and not about the friendship I have with Jacob. “Basically, my siblings and I want to destroy my father.”
“Well, now I’m interested.”
Grayson launches into the story, leaving some information out but explaining enough on why this is important to him. I listen, seeing him in a way I haven’t gotten to before.
This is a man who commands the room, and even though I know all the details, I’m hanging on every word.
This is freaking hot.
“So, are you asking for capital to buy out a company you want to basically fold?” Jacob asks.
“No, and yes. I want to force him out, not necessarily have the company collapse. He gifted us our shares, which we’re going to make him buy back or we will sell them. We’re proposing that you be the buyer. The shares have value, and we could sell them to anyone interested, but we’d like to control who the buyer is if we can. Either way, we have all decided to sell if he decides not to buy us out.”
Jacob leans back in his chair. “Let me talk to my brothers. Oliver and Devney have some history, and I don’t want to make things awkward.”
Grayson accepts with a nod. “Oliver does know this is part of my plan. He wasn’t happy, but he understands the need to have a backup.”
“I get that, but my brother is who scares me a little.” We all laugh. “Either way, I think there’s potential. I owe Jessica a lot, and I think Sean feels the same toward your brother. While owning a chain of inns has never been a goal, I understand horrible fathers and the hell they cause in our lives. I’ll let you know either way.”
“No matter what we are getting out of the company, but if you buy it, my siblings and I will help make sure you don’t lose your investment.”
He nods. “I’ll think about it.”
And with that, we turn the conversation to family and friends.
* * *
“When do you want to get married?” I ask Grayson while we’re lying in bed at the hotel in New York City.
“Tonight.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re insane.”
