“He’s got one big weakness, and that’s our nephew Milo. Which is probably why Milo always goes to Jace for advice for nefarious plans.”
“Hey, he comes to me too,” Will said indignantly.
“Nope, there is a difference,” Hailey went on. “You indulge Milo’s ideas, but Jace actively comes up with his own ideas. I like busting our baby brother’s ass, but fair is fair.”
***
Jace
I was glad I’d brought Brooke here tonight, even though it meant my siblings would grill me about her. Hailey already knew, of course, but to give credit where credit was due, she hadn’t said one word to anyone.
When Brooke moved to talk to some students, Will caught up with me, immediately asking, “So... what’s the story with Brooke?”
“She’s helping me with some of the sponsor contracts, and I told her about the center. I thought she’d like seeing this place.”
Will gave me a shit-eating grin. “You expect me to buy this? With the way you look at her?”
“What are you implying?”
“That you’re in this deep. Oh, I bet Val and Lori will catch up on this in no time. Expect an ambush at the next Friday dinner.”
I chuckled. I expected it much sooner.
“Just putting it out there, but life changes when you meet your match. For the better.”
I bit back a smile. Will never talked just to put things out there.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Before, whenever my family said things like these, I brushed them off easily, because I honestly hadn’t understood where they were coming from. Now I was starting to.
Paige asked for Will’s help at the bonfire just as I saw Brooke jog into the building. I ventured inside before Hailey or anyone else got a chance to catch up to me. I wanted a few minutes alone with her. I found Brooke in the kitchen.
“I’m so thirsty,” she said in between large gulps.
“What do you think of this place?”
“It’s great. By the way, Paige said they are looking to set up a work placement network, and I offered to put them in contact with some people. And I had an idea. We could probably approach some of the companies you signed deals with and ask if they’re interested in this. I mean, donations are great, but work placement is the next step, so everyone has a chance to actually start somewhere.”
I was too stunned to say anything. I liked that Brooke seemed to understand the things that were important to me without needing me to say them out loud.
“What do you think?”
“That you’re incredible.” I walked over to her, cupping her cheek.
She shuddered a little, licking her lower lip. When I pressed my thumb on the spot she’d wet before, she inhaled sharply.
“Absolutely incredible.”
She blushed, looking down. “It just makes sense.”
“I like that you’re so passionate about this.”
“Anyone would be.”
“You’re wrong.” At her inquisitive frown, I added, “Some of my dates seemed to think that donations were a waste of my money.”
Her gaze hardened. “They thought this place was a waste of time?”