Page 109 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

What weird circumstances I found myself in. Dani’s words rang in my head, that to love a Holland man meant sacrifice. The truth of this hit me, and I knew I needed to ask myself whether Brant was worth it and what I would have to give up. But that was a question that would have to wait for another time.

I walked into the break room, where several of my employees, including Jai, greeted me with shouts of, “Congratulations!” A few shouted, “The royal highnesses are dead; long live Queen Kinsley.” They had even put up a homemade banner that said the same.

Jai placed a crown encrusted with several fake rubies on my head. “You saved us, queen boss lady.”

Oh, Jai, I hope so.

Chapter Thirty

I looked around Brant’s place, a bit nervous. I hadn’t been back to his place since the night we’d first kissed, two years ago. Not much had changed, except Brant was doing his best to make the atmosphere as romantic as possible, all in the name of celebrating. The only lighting came from the fireplace and several candles on the mantel. Sensual instrumental music played in the background. A beautifully crafted charcuterie board filled with meats artfully shaped like flowers and my favorite cheeses and berries rested on the coffee table in front of me. I had a feeling Sheridan had a hand in that masterpiece. But mostly, I stared at the man who was pouring the wine in front of me.

Brant looked more relaxed than I had seen him in many months. His button-up was undone enough to give me a peek of what I had to look forward to, if I chose to partake. It was a choice I’d never thought I would have. Admittedly, it was a choice that brought conflicting emotions. It was something I wanted more than anything, but there were risks involved—to my business and my heart. I hated that it was so complicated.

I tried to remind myself to take it one moment at a time. Ready to unwind from the eventful day, I carefully curled my feet under me, trying not to show too much leg as I adjusted my dress. Today I had taken control of my business and, in a sense, my life. I had stood up to the Giselles and Jills of the world. Though I had to admit, it did scare me a bit. It was part of the reason we were at Brant’s—he was feeling quite protective after those ominous texts I had received. With that said, I was a bit on edge, wondering when Jill would rear her ugly head again. With her, it felt as if I were going through a haunted house, never knowing when something was going to jump out and scare the living daylights out of me. I was trying not to let her frighten me. I swore I would do my best not to give them anything to feed off of.

Brant set the full glasses of wine on the coffee table before he made his way to me. Without a word, he sat next to me and pulled me onto his lap.

I snuggled into him, my head against his chest. I took a moment to listen to the sound of his beating heart while breathing in his clean citrus scent. He still smelled like sunshine and hope. It filled me with both. “Where’s your mom?”

“She’s at home with my dad tonight.”

My head popped up. “Really? Are they working things out?”

Brant sighed. “I don’t know. My mother is so torn up inside, but she knows how hard it is on my father to sell the family’s company and to expose his past misdeeds, which in turn will expose all of us in the process. I think the thing that kills him the most is knowing how much scrutiny my mother will receive.”

I detected a hint of pride in Brant’s voice when he spoke of his father. “How do you still have such a good relationship with him after everything he’s done?” I was curious to know.

Brant rested his warm hand on my cheek. “Because, Kinsley, love isn’t black and white. Despite everything he’s done, I can’t forget the father he was to me and Brock. Or the good he’s done. And . . . in a way, I can relate to him. I know what it’s like to seek forgiveness from the woman I love.”

We had come to the crux of it and the other reason why we were at Brant’s tonight—so we could have this conversation without Grandma and Grandpa eavesdropping. I thought for a moment about his words, and he was right, love wasn’t black and white. There was a lot of gray. I felt as if I were swimming in it.

I placed my hand over his, wishing I didn’t have to say what needed to be said but knowing we would never move forward unless I had the courage to face this head-on. “Brant, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. The hows and whys of it. I mean, not the exact hows. I don’t need the gritty details.” I grimaced, beginning to feel nauseated thinking about those intimate details. So much so that I dropped my hand and grabbed my stomach.

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