That reminded me that Brant wanted to marry me. I gripped the counter and breathed in and out deeply. I couldn’t believe he thought we should tie the knot. It was like I was getting everything I’d ever wanted, but it was being handed to me wrapped in wilted lettuce on a garbage can platter. If he would have told me that a few days ago, I would have already been on Pinterest planning out the perfect wedding. And I would have been more than supportive about his father, even if it meant some heartburn for me. I would have thought things like, As a couple, we can get through anything, or, We will weather this storm together. Now I had thoughts of pushing him out from under the figurative umbrella into the rain. He could get soaked on his own. Still, there was this part of me that yearned to keep him dry.
“Kins,” Jai sounded concerned. “You okay? Your cheeks are chili pepper red.”
“I’m fine. It’s just warm in here.”
He raised his brow. “You realize you’re in a kitchen, right? Or are you having some hot flashes for the new boss?” He laughed.
I nudged him with my hip. “Get back to work.”
He held up his hands. “Fine. But I’ve always known there was a little something-something going on between you two.”
I’m glad someone knew, or maybe it had been a good thing I’d had no idea Brant had feelings for me while he was dating Jill. It had been torture watching them together. I did my best not to think of it while I made the ganache and began layering the cake. That was easier said than done, since Brant decided to emerge from the office. I knew he had come into the kitchen without even looking. It got eerily silent, and then sweet Amelia began to fangirl.
“Oh my gosh, my husband and I love you. My husband doesn’t even belong to your party and he was going to vote for you. He said we needed more fair-minded, intelligent candidates like you in this country. We were so sad when you dropped out.”
“I appreciate that. Make sure to bring him by—I would love to meet him.”
I turned around and watched Amelia’s face turn bright red before she said, “I feel like you need a hug.” And she delivered just that. I should mention that she had flour all over her, which made me smile knowing she was going to leave some on Brant. Although, it didn’t take long for me to realize Amelia was right: Brant did look like he needed a hug. Amelia held on tight, and he wrapped his arms around her, letting out a heavy breath. It was vexatious how sorry I could feel for him all while being upset with him. That’s what love was, I supposed.
When Amelia let go of him, it was obvious she realized she’d left him with a nice dusting of flour that showed up starkly on his dark pants. “Look at me. I’m so sorry.” She grabbed a white cloth and went to wipe him off but thought the better of it. “Here.” She handed him the towel. “I’ll let you do the honors.”
Brant took the towel with a smile. “Thank you.” I could tell it was for more than the towel.
He began to wipe off his pants while making his way toward me in the corner of the kitchen. Every eye was on us. Didn’t he know he was only fueling the fire? I gave it until tonight before half the town knew. Which would mean that Jill would find out if she hadn’t already. I kept having awful thoughts that maybe one of my employees was a spy for her. Or she was sending people in pretending to be customers. I knew now it was the reason why Brant had tried to stay away from me publicly. He didn’t want to put me on the Copelands’ radar until he was equipped to protect me in the best possible way. Meaning the sale of Holland Industries was a done deal.
Well, we were public now. It struck me how Brant was crashing into my world. Our worlds had never really collided before. He didn’t exactly look out of place here. Sure, he was better dressed than anyone and the most beautiful thing to grace the place, yet something said he belonged. I shook my head. I couldn’t think like that right now, maybe ever. Images of him with Dani swirled in my head until I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned around, gripping the stainless steel countertop, begging for it to ground me.
Before I knew it, Brant was next to me and whispering in my ear, “For a second there, I thought you might smile at me.”
I let out a long, slow breath, pushing out the unwanted visions of him and my sister together. “Thankfully, I didn’t make that mistake,” I deadpanned barely above the noise, for his ears only.