Chapter Sixty-Seven

Carrie

Three weeks after I move in with Reid, I’ve replaced most of my wardrobe and we’ve settled into a routine as if we’ve been together forever. We run in the mornings, lift weights several times a week, shower together, sit in that extra room off the bedroom and drink wine before bed, and generally do a lot of naughty things before we sleep, between, and after, all of the above. And every morning, I wake up with him wrapped around me.

I haven’t talked to my father, and the few conversations I’ve had with my brother were all business. Instead, Reid’s family is becoming mine. Gabe comes by the apartment at least twice a week and Cat and I have lunched and shopped, while I’ve become even more obsessed with the inner workings of her column as I get to know her. I still believe she’s pregnant, but she doesn’t mention it and you don’t ask someone if they’re pregnant without them thinking you’re telling them they’re getting fat. And it’s not my business. If she is, she’ll tell Reid when she’s ready.

All in all, every day I fall more in love with Reid. He listens to me and yes, he talks to me. Beneath the stone is a man who isn’t unaffected by the fact that his father is now out of his life. They haven’t spoken at all, and like me, we both battle that these two men are family that are growing older, and will one day be gone. But we battle these feelings together.

We also battle to get the Japan deal done and with one day to spare to hit the one-month mark, the deal is done. Reid sets a board meeting to announce it with me present, and on that Friday night we meet Gabe, Reese, and Cat for dinner. “To banking in Japan,” Gabe says, holding up a glass filled with expensive champagne. “And to Carrie, who made this happen. Love ya, babe, and I don’t care if Reid knows. Welcome to the family.”

Family.

Welcome to the family.

It infers long-term, marriage even, maybe? Is the where we’re headed? Reid reaches down, squeezes my leg and leans in and whispers. “Yes to everything you’re thinking. I told you. I’m not letting you go.”

I reach up and cup his cheek and look at him. “Good. I don’t want you to.”

He kisses me and when I glance up, I find Cat staring at us, a smile on her lips. I smile, too, but there is a ping in my belly. These people are my new family and my father hates them, while their father hates me. And neither of them are men to remain silent, and yet, they are.

Gabe tells a joke that has something to do with a mama tomato screaming “catch up” to her kids that has everyone rolling their eyes, and I forget my worries. I love these people and Reid. I’m going to enjoy them.

***

Reid

Six weeks after Carrie moved in with me, the special order I placed four weeks before arrives at the office. “Cat is here,” Connie says. “She has it.” She smiles ear to ear. “I can’t believe this is really happening. Maybe I’m next.”

“Send her in,” I say, more than a little eager myself to see what Cat has in hand.

“I’m already in,” Cat says, walking in my door, and shutting it. “I so love that you had me help you pick this out.”

“I needed you,” I dare say. “This is a big deal.” I stand up. “Let me see.”

She holds up a brown bag and hurries toward me, setting it on the desk. “The brown bag special and yes, I peeked. I had to see the finished product. It’s gorgeous. She’s going to love it.”

I inhale and open the bag, pulling out the ring box she’s hidden inside. I lift the lid and the emerald and diamond ring I had a well-known jeweler design and create for Carrie stares back at me. “The color of her eyes,” I say, glancing at Cat, “but what if she prefers a traditional ring?”

Cat leans on my desk. “Reid, there are three carats of the best diamonds in the world surrounding the band and the emerald. No woman could be unhappy with that ring. You designed it for her. That’s special. When are you going to do it?”

“In Paris, for Christmas, right after we leave Japan to coordinate the Bennett takeover of the event center. She doesn’t know about the trip. It’s a surprise and as much as I want us to all be together, I think it will keep her mind off her father’s silence.”

“That’s a good idea. And for a proposal, that’s perfect. I’m so happy for you.”

I shut the box and stick it in the bag and then in my desk in case Carrie comes in. “Cat.”

“Yes?”

“There are reasons I was like I was to you.”

She holds up a hand. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I just want you to know that I regret a lot with you.”

“Don’t do anything to regret anymore. That’s all that matters. Okay?”

“Deal.”

She walks around the desk and kisses my cheek. “Later, big brother.”

“Later, little sis.”

I watch her leave and I know that this new bond with Cat might have begun before Carrie, but Carrie is why it took root. My family is closer because of her, but I still battle with the secret between us. And yet, there is nothing I can do about it. If I tell her, we both lose everything, including each other.

***

Carrie

Two days before Reid and I leave for Japan, I’m planning details for the Bennett takeover of the facility with Sallie when my father calls. “I need to take this alone,” I say.

She nods and leaves, shutting my door. “Hello,” I say.

“How are you?”

“I’m well, very well.”

“And still with Reid, I hear.”

“That’s not going to change. What’s happening in Montana?”

“I proposed to Stella. We’re getting married in January. I’m taking over the ranch management and I’ve convinced her to drill on limited portions of the property. You should have your money back and increased thirty percent by summer.”

“That’s all great,” I say, trying to sound sincere, when it’s hard to be sincere with someone who doesn’t offer that in return.

“I want you at the wedding, but not him. He doesn’t get to come.”

“He’s a part of me now.”

“No. You just don’t see him for what he is and—”

“Stop,” I bite out. “Stop talking. I need to go. I’m leaving for Japan in two days.”

“What about Christmas?”

“I’m spending it with Reid and you’re spending it with Stella. I love you, dad. I really hope we can get by this. I hope we can find each other again, but that’s going to mean you get over the hate for the man I love. He’s not his father.”

“He’s worse.”

“Goodbye, father.”

I hang up and I’m shaking. I don’t know why this got to me so badly but when my door opens and Reid stands there, he knows immediately. “What’s wrong?”

“My father called.”

His expression hardens and he steps inside and shuts the door. “What happened?”

“He’s worse than your father. He’s getting married, but you can’t come to the wedding. He owns the ranch now and they’re drilling oil. I get my money back and more by summer. That about sums it up.”

He rounds the desk, pulls me to my feet and kisses my forehead. “Carrie—”

“Oh and what about Christmas? He asked. I told him I’m with you, the end.”

He presses his forehead to mine. “I’m here. I’m not ever leaving.” He leans back to look at me. “You know that, right?”

“You know I’m having abandonment issues right now, don’t you?”

“Yes. I do. And I’m not ever leaving. That’s a promise.”

But we both know that’s not a promise anyone can make. People die. People fall out of love. People separate. Relationships end. I just don’t want ours to end.

Ever.