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I arch a brow. “You still think I’m an asshole?”
“Yes, but you’re a pretty perfect asshole.” She pushes to her toes and kisses me. “Let’s get this over with. Then maybe I can just relax into the wedding.”
“And our life. Relax into our life and me.”
“Into our life and you,” she says. “Yes. I like that.”
A short time later, the three of us arrive at the building that houses the Maxwell offices where the board meeting will take place. We step onto the elevator and Carrie looks between me and Gabe. “You look like twins in blue suits. It’s pretty incredible to see you both together and dressed so similar. You really look a lot alike.”
“Except that I’m the younger, better looking one, right?” Gabe says. “And the nice one.”
“You mean you hide behind jokes the way he hides behind being an asshole,” Carrie amends for him. “You don’t fool me, but I won’t tell.”
Gabe narrows his eyes on her. “You think I hide behind jokes?”
“I know you do,” she says. “I just hope that one day, you trust someone enough to let down that wall of yours.”
He studies her a moment and then his gaze lifts to mine, his expression guarded, but there’s something there I haven’t seen before but I understand it. Gabe doesn’t want to be seen. I knew that of course, but this moment is confirmation. Not for the first time, I wonder what’s there beneath his surface that he wants to hide. I wonder if, in my need to protect myself, I failed to see my brother, to be there for him. I wonder what made him bleed, the way I bled emotionally, because something did.
The elevator dings and Carrie turns to face me. “Your father is going to be here.”
“If he is, we’ll handle it.” I turn her to face forward. “Welcome to the office that will soon be half yours.” I walk her forward and Connie greets us.
“Well, well, there he is,” she says to me. “And here she is. Carrie, Carrie, Carrie. I knew, I just knew you were the one.” She pulls Carrie into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
Carrie laughs. “Obviously, you know we’re engaged.”
“I do,” she says, pulling back to add. “Keep him busy and maybe I can find time for a date.” She sobers quickly and looks at me. “They’re all in the conference room and I have a stockholder meeting for the firm set for five.”
“And my father?” Gabe asks.
“Nowhere near so far,” she says. “I have security on alert as you suggested this morning.”
I nod and motion Carrie and Gabe forward.
A few minutes later, we’re in a boardroom filled with a dozen other people and a live phone line for stockholders. Our fathers don’t qualify, but I’m certain both have found a way to listen in. I begin the presentation and two hours later, Gabe and Carrie have each given pitches. We break for lunch and compare notes before we return and the questions begin. Another two hours later, the vote takes place. Maxwell and West officially merge. It’s done.
Carrie
Not long after the meeting ends, riding a high from our success, I’m in Reid’s office with him and Gabe, with Reid popping a bottle of ridiculously expensive champagne. We’ve just toasted to our new merger when my phone rings. I set my champagne down. “That will be my father,” I say tightly. “I’d bet money on it.” I grab my purse from my desk and open it, removing my phone to confirm and then give Reid and Gabe a small nod. “Hello, father,” I say, as Reid sets down his champagne and pulls me into his arms, leaning on the desk as he does.
“Did he take your company or did you take his?” he asks, giving a chuckle.
“Both. It’s a merger, a partnership.” I rotate in Reid’s arms and look at him, repeating his earlier words. “We’re one now.”
“I’ll never be one with that bastard, but I’m out. I’m not a part of the company anymore and Stella and I have talked a lot over the past two weeks. I need to let go. I need to let you be happy, but he better make you happy.”
“He will, dad. He does.”
“Then be successful, but watch his father.”
“Reid has a leash on him. Don’t call him. Don’t agitate him. If he calls you, tell him you love me. You aren’t fighting anymore. And then it will be over.”
“I do love you and I will. It will kill me, but I will. Take care, honey.” He hangs up.
I look up at Reid. “Could you hear?”
“Yes, baby, I heard.” His hands come down on my face. “And yes. We are one.”
