Page 107 of Bonus Daddy
Brian laughed harder. “I’m not worried. They’re good kids, and they’re protective of you.”
I slumped against him. “But you got sick.”
He squeezed me harder. “Worth it. They were testing me. And I passed the test.” He pulled back, his golden eyes dancing.
“Testing you?”
“Yeah, I’m part of the family now.”
“We do not haze people into our family,” I declared. “This is a major parenting fail.”
“Nah.” He kissed my neck gently. “My gorgeous girlfriend has taught me to see the positive in every situation. If I have to chug a little pickle-and-oat-milk protein shake in order to keep you, then it’s more than worth it.”
Chapter 39
Brian
“Are you sure you can deliver it this weekend?” I asked into the phone.
Lo passed by, her brows high on her forehead, and I gave her a thumbs-up.
Kit had an audition at the Professional Performing Arts School this afternoon, and we’d planned a little celebration for after. T.J. and Murphy had made signs using glitter, and Lo had picked up balloons, ice cream, and cake. Greta had been putting a playlist together for the dance party, and I was going to top it off by showing her the piano I’d purchased for my brownstone.
“Yes, sir. We’re the best piano movers in Brooklyn. Been doing this for generations.”
“And you’ll tune it once it’s in position?”
“Yes. The tuner is on standby.”
“Thank you for the last-minute help.” With a harsh breath out, I ran a hand through my hair.
I was so nervous for her. Kit had not stopped practicing in the last two weeks. She’d pushed herself so hard, her dedication impressive. It was a long shot, but just the chance to audition was a big deal.
And while I was nervous, Jess was a full-on disaster. She’d shownup at the office the other day wearing mismatched shoes because she’d been up half the night worrying and could barely think straight.
“Thanks again for the Metros tickets.” He laughed. Ernie and I had worked out an understanding that had helped me jump to the top of his waitlist.
While Jess and I had only talked casually about moving into the brownstone together, it was important to me that the girls felt comfortable there. So I was turning the formal living room into a music room for Kit and the basement into a game and playroom for Greta. The foosball table and giant beanbag chairs had been far easier to source than a Steinway baby grand piano.
A home I’d been so ambivalent about a few months ago had now become an incredible opportunity. Sure, I’d miss the camaraderie we’d created while living in the Jersey apartment, but things had changed. We’d changed.
Cal and Sully had been my best friends before, but now we were brothers. We’d survived Terry’s death, saved the firm, and fixed our lives all in the span of twelve months. The circumstances that had originally felt like a prison sentence had freed us. They’d allowed us to grow and change in incredible ways.
And I could not wait for what was next.
I rolled my shoulders and checked the clock. I’d have to leave by noon to get to the city in time. The audition was closed, but I planned to meet them for the school tour and then wait in the hall with Jess while Kit played for the admissions committee.
We’d head to the Jersey apartment after and surprise Kit with our little family celebration. I’d also get to surprise the girls with the changes I’d made to the brownstone. While it had been a challenge to find alone time with Jess over the past couple of weeks, the two of us had been having a lot of fun. The more time I spent with her, the more I wanted. After years of playing it safe and avoiding risks at all costs, I was ready to jump off a cliff for her and her kids.
I was packing up when the phone rang.
“Landon?”
“It’s the old man,” he said. His voice was strained, as if he’d been crying. “We don’t have much time.”
My heart sank into my stomach. We’d known Cliff didn’t have a lot of time left, but he’d looked so good last month when I dropped by with papers to sign.
I held on to my desk to steady myself. This was one of the hardest parts of my job, but it was the most important. Making sure my clients, people who had become friends, felt supported so they could leave this world unburdened.
