EIGHTEEN
Present
“How was London?”
Will continues our small talk as we sit in my office signing a contract. Another day, another business deal. Nothing unusual when you’re an entrepreneur running billion-dollar investments.
“It gave me a lot to think about.”
Will signs his name and then places the pen down, leaning back into the chair.
“Let me take a wild guess,” he says while rubbing his chin. “About how easily your life could have taken a different path?”
I glance up at him. “How did you know?”
“There’s something about London,” he begins, then stalls, keeping his thoughts to himself for a moment like this is something he’s thought about often. “It’s the place to escape your troubles, but the darkness never leaves.”
“It was a long time ago,” I mutter.
“Right, and you have a beautiful wife, daughters, and a million grandchildren now,” he muses.
“About that,” I say with a knowing grin. “When are you going to get the snip? I don’t know how many more grandkids I can take.”
Will chuckles. “When did you?”
“I tried, but Alexa surprised us.”
“You tried?” he repeats in a mocking tone. “Sounds to me like you chickened out. Afraid it would damage the goods.”
I sign the final dotted line and then place my pen down. “Sometimes, my friend, life has a way of working itself out.”
“What you meant to say is Charlie took it for the team?”
“Perhaps,” I respond with a smirk. “We’re all done here. Time to start our next project.”
When it comes to business, Will understands the importance of being ahead of the game. We may have just signed off on something big, but it doesn’t end here. Despite Charlotte telling me to slow down, I’ll be the first to admit it’s one of the hardest things to do.
“Let’s go have dinner before Charlotte finds me working during what is supposed to be family time.”
We leave my office and head outside to the patio. It’s a warm night with the sun still out. Charlotte and Ava set the table while Austin took care of the grill.
Masen is chasing the kids around the big backyard. Even though his brother was the athletic one in the family, Masen’s stamina outdid the kids. I’m quite surprised, given the boys have so much energy.
Amelia is standing behind Emmy, braiding her hair while ensuring her kids stay out of trouble simultaneously.
“I can’t believe Masen outran Ashton and Archer. Those boys are fast,” Amelia comments, shaking her head in disbelief.
“When you’re done with her hair, can you do mine?” Addison begs. “Fishtail, please.”
Amelia glances at Alexa, who, no surprise, is on her phone. “And what about you? Do you want your hair done too, like I have nothing better to do?”
Alexa keeps her eyes lowered, then mumbles. “No, thanks.”
Since our return from London and Alexa’s outburst, I still haven’t mentioned to Charlotte what Alexa said to me. As for our encounters, there haven’t been any. Alexa has ignored me at all costs, and I’m assuming tonight will be no different.
“What crawled up your ass and died?” Ava butts in, carrying a plate of food. “You got your rags?”
Addison shakes her head. “No one calls it that.”