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“Isn’t that good news?” Poppy says. “You’ve worked really hard at getting the seller back to the table because you want the Boston site over the Fifth Avenue site.”

I nod. She’s absolutely right. I’ve had my heart set on Boston since we started discussing a second hotel. I knew I wanted a place far enough away from my siblings that I could have autonomy, but not so far that I’d have to move. Boston was the perfect place.

Except it’s not anymore.

Everything has changed.

“I’ve changed my mind,” I say.

Worth and Poppy just stare at me like I’m about to morph into a sea creature or start vomiting donuts or something.

“Patrick O’Leary won’t accept the number we offered him before, now that he’s back at the negotiating table. We all know that. We could waste months and months negotiating and still end up with nothing. He might pull another disappearing act. He’s an unknown quantity. Fifth Avenue is a safer bet and someone else might offer on it if we spend all our time and attention on Boston. We might end up with nothing.”

Silence sits heavily between us all.

“Have you heard about the offer on the Fifth Avenue hotel?” I ask eventually. I can tell Poppy is staring at me, but I won’t look in her direction.

“Not yet. My realtor was going to follow up today.”

“Did you end up offering the amount you said you would?” I ask.

“Ten percent less,” Worth replies.

“So they’re taking their time to respond,” I reply. “They don’t want to seem too keen. But they didn’t say no right away, so I think that sounds positive.”

“Why the change of mind on Boston?” Worth asks.

There’s a one-syllable answer to that—Ben.

I have to be the one person who doesn’t want something from him, or he’ll just see me as another person who’s using him. Another person to do a deal with. He won’t understand that what we have—or could have—is bigger than all of this. It’s different. And it’s special. I need to show him what he’s worth to me.

I need to show him I’m willing to give up everything for him.

“I don’t think it makes sense logistically,” I say. “New York makes more practical sense.”

Poppy tries unsuccessfully to cover up a gasp. “Are you serious?”

“Isn’t that what I’ve been saying all along, while you’ve been adamant about Boston? What’s changed?” Worth asks

“Everything,” I say.

“Tell me,” Worth says. “I want to hear it.”

I can’t tell him I’m changing my mind because of Ben. Because my feelings for him are deeper than I could ever have imagined. He’s never going to trust me on another business decision.

But…I also can’t lie to him. He’s my brother, I can’t do that.

“Worth, you’re the best big brother a girl could ever hope for,” I say.

“I second that emotion,” Poppy says.

I give Poppy the side eye. “Thank you, Smokey Robinson.” I turn back to Worth. “I haven’t been honest with you.”

“Tell me everything, Avril, and do it quickly.”

“I think I might be in love with Ben East. I don’t want to pursue the deal with Patrick O’Leary because Ben thinks everyone wants something from him—which is true. I want to be his exception. The woman who gave up everything for him. I want to be the woman who wants nothing more than him.”

I brace myself for Worth’s reaction. I don’t know if he’ll accuse me of being weak or undisciplined or just a little bit pathetic. Not that he’s ever accused me of anything like that, but there’s part of me that wonders if I’m making the right decision. I don’t even know Ben’s real feelings. But I never will unless I make this sacrifice.