“Where have you been?” Sophie asked, Beau almost pulling her arm off in his haste to get to Trevor and sniff every inch of him.
“I believe you call it Nunya.” He bent and scratched behind Beau’s ear, showering him with attention. “Nunya business.”
“Ha-ha. No really. You were gone all night. Where were you?”
“Working late.”
With an annoyed puff, she tugged Beau away. “Uh-huh. And that’s why the dog is losing his mind?”
“I reek of pug puppy.”
Sophie shook her head. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Of course you do. You’re the nosiest person in our family.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“Brooke’s sister has a rescue pug—a puppy—and obviously.”
His sister’s jaw dropped. Eventually, she managed to scoop it off the ground. “You spent the night with Brooke?”
“I spent the night at Jolie. There’s a difference.”
“Not really. You’re—Are you two hooking up?”
“Aren’t you the same woman who once told me to mind my business? Pretty sure you even let an elevator door close in my face.”
“Maybe. But did that make any difference? You still didn’t listen.”
He stuck out his hand. “Give me back my dog.”
Sophie clutched the handle of the leash against her chest. “You left your dog last night. When you decided to spend the night at Jolie, he was here, alone, and I took care of him.”
“Nice try with the dramatics. He stays with you a third of the time, even when I’m here.”
“Not the point. You can’t have him back until we finish talking about your sleepover.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Uh-huh. If you and Brooke Sargent are involved—not that I object, I think the world of Brooke, but if you’re staying over…” With a quirk of her mouth, she tilted her head to the side.
“What?”
“You should tell me.”
“Like how you told me everything about you and Wright?”
Sophie’s mouth fell open, her inquisition falling silent.
Trevor froze. What? his mind yelled, but nothing came out.
“Eventually, yes, you dope. I did tell you everything about me and Wright. I told only you.”
Crap. She had. “My bad. You did talk to me.” His sister confided in him alone, and now he’d thrown that in her face.
Trevor turned, ready to walk away from the conversation if that was the only way out.
“Wait.” Sophie grabbed his arm, turning him back. “So does that mean Brooke and you are as serious as Wright and I were?”
Ah hell. “That is not what I said.”
“Then you’re not?”
“I didn’t say that either. Y’know what? Let’s just change the subject.”
“Don’t get defensive. I’m not against you. I’m surprised, that’s all. You’re both so…different.” Sophie stared up at him with big green eyes.
She didn’t mean anything harmful by her curiosity, but her reasoning behind her surprise still stung.
Brooke was the reliable, secure one. Or so most people thought. They didn’t know everything about her. They didn’t know she had a million different facets other than the one or two she showed the world.
Trevor, on the other hand, was impetuous. Quiet and unpredictable, liable to take off at any moment.
That’s exactly who he used to be, but that wasn’t the sum total of Trevor Bradley.
People didn’t know or understand who he was now. He couldn’t blame them. Most people didn’t get him, because he didn’t want to get got. Even his brothers and sisters were given a little distance. Why should he open up and spill all of his business?
Nothing about that sounded like a good idea.
Unless he was talking to Brooke. Brooke, he’d told almost everything.
“Here.” Sophie handed Beau’s leash over. “I don’t mean different in a bad way. But she’s the manager of a hotel and winery who’s practically anchored to her job and you’re…you. You’ve never wanted to be tied down. You like to wander without warning.”
“One time. I went one time without getting the family’s executive-level approval. Let it go.”
Sophie stared him down. “Don’t be snide. You know I’m not judging. I’m just saying Brooke is business suits and heels, and you’re…jeans and old hiking boots. I’m allowed to be a little surprised.”
“I bet Brooke likes me in jeans.”
His sister rolled her eyes. “I’m sure she does.”
Truth be told, he understood his sister’s surprise. But he was getting to know the real Brooke, the side of her she’d admitted to never sharing. Deep down, the two of them weren’t so different.
Trevor tugged Beau a little closer and scowled as he scratched the top of Beau’s head. “And she happens to own flip-flops too. I saw them in her room.”
With a high-pitched noise, Sophie rushed over, wrapping her arms around him, squeezing him in a hug. “I know I’m being nosey, but only because I care. If you’re happy, I’m happy. And I’ll butt out. Maybe.”
He patted her back and muttered as she hugged him. “You know, I’m not the first Bradley to stay over at Jolie.”
She leaned back enough that he could see her face, and gave him the side eye. “You see how that turned out for me, don’t you?”
Sophie’s jaunt to Chateau Jolie with Wright had ended up with the two of them dating, falling in love, and becoming a bona fide couple. Likely to be married within a year.
Marriage had never been a part of his life plan.
Then again, he’d never had a life plan.
Dating Brooke was exactly what he wanted. Anything more had never occurred to him. He wasn’t opposed; he simply hadn’t considered that path.
When he turned to address Sophie, she’d already moved on to something else. Her attention on the entrance of Honeywilde, she stood back, her arms crossed, and looked the entryway alcove and double doors up and down, then side to side, and back again.
“Now what are you doing?”
“I’m butting out and, knowing my self-control, I’m changing the subject. Quickly.” She held her hands up as if holding a large painting. “I want to do something different out here for the wedding next weekend. Something we can keep up through Mother’s Day. Maybe even into June if possible. I’m tired of these same old plants and those black urn things.”
“I think they look great.”
“They’ve been there every spring for the last three years.”
“We’re tired of looking at them.” Dev strolled up. “They’re boring.”
Trevor jerked around. “Where’d you come from?”
“Lakeside. We’ve talked about needing something different. Memorable.”
“What about a lamppost?” Trevor suggested. “You could hang plants from it if you want. Or not.”
Sophie slapped her hands together. “Yes! That’s perfect.”
Dev scrubbed a hand over his chin and stood there for a solid sixty seconds before agreeing. “Nice. I like it.”
A bubble of pride rose in Trevor’s chest. As much as he didn’t need anyone’s validation, a little approval was nice.
“How’s the prom going?” Dev asked while Sophie began fussing with the plants and black urn things.
“Great so far. We’ve got Brenda handling flowers; we’re renting the tables and chairs. Brooke is working on catering, and I got DJ Knight to handle the music.”
“Nice!” Sophie popped up from behind a potted plant. “Did you get a deal?”
“You know it.”
Dev clapped him on the shoulder. “Good work. I knew you had this in you.”
“Yeah…but I have a couple of quest
ions for you. Not about the prom, but semirelated.”
With a low humming sound, Dev widened his stance and crossed his arms. “Okay. Shoot.”
“First off, the stuff with the school losing their money to a venue that went out of business? That wasn’t accurate. That was a pile of BS. We have good reason to believe that Zen mismanaged the students’ funds and is still operating.”
Dev scowled. “How could they? People would find out. That’s fraud.”
“I don’t know how, but I’m telling you, they’re still booking events. Maybe on the quiet or for known parties? Or they could just be taking their chances. The guy we ran into yesterday sure had the brass ones to try. I’m not sure what they’re doing, but that place definitely wasn’t shut down like the school thinks.”
His brother scrubbed a hand over his mouth, muttering some choice words.
“I don’t have documented proof, but Brooke and I were there. Something shady is going on, I know it.”
His brother nodded. “Oh, I believe you. I’ve seen my share of shadiness before. Not much surprises me anymore.”
A weight lifted from Trevor’s shoulders, held up by Dev’s support. “Maybe you know someone on the school board or someone at county who can look into them?”
“I don’t know anyone on the board, directly, but I know people who do. Let me make some calls. See what can be done.”
“Perfect.” He’d figured his brother would be the best person to help. Knowing the kids might get some justice brought a smile to his face.
“What was the other question?”
Right. His other question. Here went nothing. “The party for Marco’s niece tonight…we can bring a guest, right?”
“As far as I know, we can. Why?”
“I invited Brooke.”
His brother’s eyebrows went up a notch.
“I figured it was cool to bring someone.”
“Sure. Should be fine if you bring a date.” Dev rocked back and forth on his heels, clearly waiting for Trevor to say more.
Maybe Dev expected him to deny Brooke was his date. He’d shunned enough relationship talk over the years that Dev’s expectation made sense.
“Cool.” Trevor grinned wider instead. “I’ll bring her.”
He wasn’t going to deny Brooke or his interest in her. If his family wanted to tease the last single Bradley about it, let them.
But Dev didn’t give him a hard time. Rather, he waited until Sophie left with one of the urns before he spoke again. “I have a question for you too. I was wondering, did you ever end up calling Mom?”
“Not with this prom stuff going on. Still planning to though.”
His brother’s gaze darted away.
If he didn’t know better, he’d swear Dev looked disappointed.
“Why?”
“No reason. I mean, Mother’s Day is coming up and…I don’t know. Only if you want to call. I know she said she wanted to make amends and come around some, but—”
“She does,” Trevor said, stopping him. “She definitely does, but she’s not going to come up uninvited. Not after last time. I was thinking I’d go see her, maybe weekend after next, after the prom is over.”
“You could do that…” His brother let the sentence drift with a slight lift to his shoulders.
“Or”—Trevor went out on the limb Dev offered—“maybe I could invite her over for Mother’s Day?”
Dev began a slow nod. “That’d be a nice gesture. You don’t think it’d be too much?”
“Not if the four of us are in agreement. She wouldn’t be staying here for a week or anything, just lunch. Everything went well at your wedding.”
“True.”
“And we’d talk this over with Roark and Sophie first, of course, instead of springing a get-together on everyone again.”
“Yeah, let’s don’t go that route again. I’ll check with Roark and Soph. Make sure everyone is okay with Mother’s Day.”
“And once you get the go-ahead, I’ll call and invite her up.”
Dev nodded again.
He’d been the most upset about their mother’s unannounced appearance at an event last spring, and he held the most resentment. But, like all of the Bradleys, he was growing. He’d allowed their mother to come to his wedding and now had an interest in seeing her again. Progress.
If Devlin could open himself up enough to trust again, or at least try, anyone could.
Maybe even Brooke.
Chapter 23
Marco’s niece’s birthday party was anything but little.
Brooke took Trevor’s arm, their walk into the reception hall of St. Mary’s reminding her of walking into a museum gala in Richmond. Only with more glitter and teenage girls.
An array of white tulle, turquoise and white balloons, and silver, sparkly ribbon filled the room.
“I see two open seats over there.” Trevor took her hand and led her to a table covered in white linen, the chairs all tied with a big silver bow on the back. A centerpiece of bold, brightly colored flowers sat at every table, giving the hall a feeling of undeniable joy.
A stage was set up as though ready for a band, and everyone looked as if they’d come from a wedding. There were several women in formal gowns.
Moments later, a man in a white suit stood in the center of the stage, a group of bolero-jacketed musicians taking positions behind him. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please. Allow me to introduce, the young lady of the evening, Camila Reyes, and her court of honor.”
The reception hall erupted into cheers and applause.
In pairs, teenage girls and boys entered; the boys wearing white dinner jackets, the girls in matching cocktail dresses of pale turquoise and silver, with tiny bouquets of white roses in their hands. They formed a small V, and then Camila made her entrance.
She floated in on the arm of the man Brooke guessed was her father. She wore a floor-length, full-skirt gown of turquoise taffeta with a bodice of sequins. A tiara that’d make a beauty queen weep sat elegantly atop her head, her dark hair a cascade of curls.
Brooke’s mouth fell open.
Her toy obsession as a child wasn’t limited to Power Rangers. She’d also loved princesses and fairies. That is precisely what Camila looked like. A princess.
“Some entrance, huh?” Trevor touched Brooke’s elbow, drawing her out of the trance.
“Amazing.”
Camila’s father said a few words and the band began to play a waltz for the two of them.
Trevor eased his hand down Brooke’s arm, intertwining their fingers as he whispered. “I’ll remind our DJ to do an announcement and special dance like that for the prom king and queen.”
The waltz went on and led to another waltz, with Camila taking a moment to dance with each young man in her court.
The music eventually wound down. People began to find their seats, but Brooke remained enchanted.
“Trevor. Good, you’re here.” A tall man, with hair darker than Trevor’s, greeted them. “I didn’t know if you’d make the reception. Sophie said you’ve been really busy.”
“I wouldn’t miss this. Marco, this is Brooke Sargent. She owns Chateau Jolie, with her sisters. Brooke this is Marco Reyes. Honeywilde’s chef.”
Marco offered his hand. “Brooke. You’re not the poor soul who’s been working with Trevor the last few days.”
“The very one.”
“Then by all means, enjoy my niece’s quince. You need to get some food; we have plenty. Get something to drink. Refuel yourselves. Both of you. Trev, I think all of your family is over on that side of the stage.”
As Marco left to greet other guests, Brooke’s stomach busied itself doing jumping jacks. “Your whole family is here?”
Trevor nodded, peering across the room. “Marco has been at Honeywilde for
a while now. He wanted everyone to come.”
“Then who’s running the inn?” The idea of her and her sisters leaving Jolie in the hands of someone else made her heart thump faster. Images of the place spontaneously crumbling down to rubble drifted through her mind.
“We have a great staff. They can manage. And one of us can run back if there’s an emergency.”
Maybe she’d luck out and they’d have an emergency right now. Mixing and mingling with Trevor’s family brought a pinch of pain to her temples, heat rising up her back. They were nice people, but around them, the pressure to perform jumped on her, full force.
After spending time with Trevor, she realized her reaction made little sense. She didn’t have to be perfect, and the Bradleys were business competition, not an enemy. But she was here with Trevor, and that brought on a whole different kind of reaction.
Great. Now she was sweating in her good dress.
“Come on. I see Sophie.”
“There you are.” Roark Bradley intercepted them as they crossed the room, embracing Trevor in a one-armed hug. “I was wondering if I’d ever see you again.”
“You’re the one who stays cooped up in his office.”
“Brooke.” Roark might’ve been trying not to look befuddled, but he failed. “Hello.”
She put on her best meet-the-family smile. “How are you?”
“Doing well. I didn’t know we’d see you here.”
“Yeah, me either.” That was the only brilliant comeback she could muster.
“Hey.” Devlin joined them, sipping pink punch from a little glass cup. “Y’all have to go check out the spread of food. It looks incredible.”
Roark shifted to stand closer to her and Trevor. “How are things going with the prom? Any issues?”
“Everything is going great.”
“No problems? You’re all set?”
“Yep. All set.” Trevor worked his jaw.
“Did you check in with Brenda?”
“I did.”
Dev groaned into his punch. “Trev and Brooke have got things under control and we’re at a party. Relax.”
“Okay, but if you need help, I—”
“Roark.” Trevor’s tone came out stiffer than she’d ever heard before. “Thank you, but we’ve got it.”
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