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For better or worse.
25
Evie
“Oh wow, this is beautiful.”
Drinks in hand, we make our way to the back patio. DeLuca’s II sits on Lake Shohola, the lake which is the center of life in Bridgewater, aside from Main Street. Although there are more homes than businesses, it’s dotted with docks and marinas, a good portion of Tristano’s business, I’m sure, coming from boat patrons this time of year.
For a split second, the competitor in me is a bit envious of this location. I’ve seen the pics on social media, but never having been here myself, I can honestly say they don’t do it justice. I follow him to a two-top along the railing and we sit. The sun hasn’t peeked out from behind the clouds today, but it doesn’t seem to have deterred boaters.
“It’s packed down there.”
“Yeah. Especially not being a weekend.”
“You must get a lot of boat business.” I shuffle a bit on my stool, getting comfortable. And then nearly swoon like some chick in a Victorian romance novel who just saw a man’s naked chest for the first time. The mere act of Tris taking off his suit coat should not have me clenching like I’m doing involuntary Kegel exercises.
In my defense, he’s also rolled his shirtsleeves, so basically any woman in my position would be having a hard time right about now.
“We’re slammed on the weekends.”
I bury the competitor in me and ignore his bare forearms and the absolute oozing of sexiness coming from the other side of the table. “I bet. And this deck is gorgeous. You need to get some video out here. The pictures don’t do it justice.”
“Now you sound like Gian. He’s been saying that for weeks. But he wants me in it and there hasn’t been a good time yet.”
Because he’s so busy. Which likely has something to do with our numbers being down the last few months. But I’m not thinking about that. Not tonight.
“This location is unreal.”
Why does he frown at that?
“You don’t think so?”
His shoulders rise, and sag.
“Yeah, it is.” Tris frowns. “Would have been even better if I’d purchased it myself. I had my eye on it but wasn’t ready. Enzo offered to give me the cash, but no way I was taking it from him. So he went and bought it.”
I’m confused. “You don’t seem happy about that.”
“I’m not. Or I wasn’t. I guess I’ve come to terms with it.”
“Come to terms with the fact that your brother wanted to help you out?”
This is definitely hitting a nerve with him.
“With the fact that he gave me the money at all. Now every time I try to give him a payment, he refuses it. Says he’ll never let me pay him back because I need it to—” He stops. Tris was definitely going to say something but has changed his mind. “He says he doesn’t need it. Which is true. He’s a bloody billionaire. But that’s beside the point.”
Looking at me as if he’s surprised he said so much, Tris tries to backpedal. “It’s fine. Not a big deal.”
Clearly that’s not the case.
“I used my father’s money,” I say, “from the sale of a dealership he’d built his whole life to renovate the restaurant. And I know he’d be thrilled about that. He’s always wanted me to come back and run the place. We are family. Like you. And I’m sure Enzo is just as happy to see you succeed in this. So how is that any different than my situation?”
Tris takes a swig of beer. His brother’s beer. Hmm. Maybe it is a bit different.
“Enzo and I have always had a competitive relationship. We are . . .” He hesitates, so I supply him with an easy out.
“Brothers.”
