“Lunch is served!” Rachel announces, inviting us all to help ourselves from the dishes laid out in the kitchen. It shatters the moment, dislodging my thoughts, my free-fall into a fantasy where I shower people with my love, my time, and my affection. And while I’ve wanted to make the most of my second chance at life, experiencing everything the world out there has to offer a singleton like me, I’m not ready to settle down. I don’t think. Because with loving people comes consequences. Earth-shattering ones.
Lunch is a selection of chicken and fish dishes to choose from, along with a variety of salads. Nothing too heavy or spicy at any rate, for which my stomach is grateful. We don’t bother sitting at a table. We just find a seat in the living room and dig in. Diana, Reuben’s mom sits next to me, Rachel the other side once she’s assured all the guests are happy and eating.
“I hope this isn’t an insensitive question,” I begin, aware that Sienna is now running her hands through Brecken’s hair on the far side of the room, telling him he should have it cut. Next to him, she appears toddler-height. “But I understand that I need to hear from you directly how you got the boys together to become a formidable trio, ready to take on the Hotel Balthazar empire.”
Diana chuckles. “I’ll let Rachel take that question. It was all her idea.” And then she gestures to Sofia to join us, who perches her bottom on the corner of the sofa. At almost six feet tall, it must be why Brecken is the height he is.
“Well, it was a thought in my head long before we learned of Reuben. I’d met Sofia and Brecken several times over the years, at balls and parties and birthday gatherings. Balthazar was keen for us to get along, and we were mature enough to want the same.
“At the end of the day,” Rachel continues, “both Sofia and I had loved Balthazar, the father of our boys. It made sense to be allies and not enemies. And when he told me about Reuben, that his son was planning on coming to study in the states, well, it was important to all of us to welcome him, Diana and Jasper into the family. When I learned of their profession—architects, I saw an opportunity. Luca had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. He loved visiting the hotels and learning from Balthazar. And with Brecken winning state-wide debating contests, who seemed to have a love for the law, I hoped they could work together when the time came.”
“It could’ve been messy with three boys, the natural heirs in some people’s eyes to take on a father’s business—” Diana adds, her eyes moving to Sienna and Trey, “—and it still could be messy. But to avoid any in-fighting, to avoid arguments, we agreed that it would be wonderful if they could—if they wanted to—run Hotel Balthazar together.”
“And they do,” Sofia reminds us all. “They’re closer than most brothers. They work surprisingly well together.”
I feel all of their eyes on me then, expectant. “They are a credit to you,” I compliment, not wishing to divulge too much, even though it’s obvious they know more than they’re saying. It was implied last night, and no doubt witnessed last night as I danced happily with them all in turn. “They’re good people. I feel lucky to have met them.”
“I think they’re lucky to have met you,” Sofia tells me, smiling prettily as if she doesn’t have a million questions to ask me. But I made my position clear on that last night. And while back at Vail I didn’t feel overly invested in the company’s future, I feel less set apart from that decision already. I know these men even better now. I’ve met their family—a fantastic, thriving, loving family. And I wonder if this is the reason why I’m being included in family gatherings, sitting at their table, listening to their dreams and wishes.
It makes me think back to what Luca shared a short while ago.
We’re greedy bastards, and we’ll happily occupy that generous heart of yours.
Did he mean it differently from how it sounded to me then? Is this how they occupy my heart? Am I nothing but a chance at owning a company?
My exhale is long and slow. I choose to believe Luca. About what could develop between the four of us. I believe these women want the best for the brand but for their sons, too. And to be honest, seeing the hotel sold and the profits split between the four siblings would gut me. “I still stand by my comment last night, ladies. I want your children to be successful, but don’t expect too much from me.”
“If you told us now that you’d marry one of them to secure their future, we’d be concerned,” Diana says softly. “That would be a warning flag.”
“We’re also hoping that won’t be a stipulation and so, we’re relieved that this isn’t your only ambition in dating our sons,” Rachel murmurs.
Oh, god. Ground, swallow me now.
“But don’t underestimate yourself either. You may not think you’re the glue, Winter, but people often have a much clearer view of our character than we do ourselves. You are talented. Yet, you have vast potential.” Rachel’s hand rests on my arm. “Whether you want to be or not, you might be exactly what our sons, and the hotel group needs.”
CHAPTERSIX
Brecken
Dad,Winter, and I take the company jet to New York, landing at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. A driver in a black town car takes us directly to Fifth Avenue, where our second most successful hotel in the portfolio resides.
As far as knowing the business goes, I will be the first to say that out of the three brothers, I know the least. It’s not my role to know about the linens we favor or the paint colors we select, or whether the ceiling should be another two inches higher or not. Those micro decisions are in the hands of my brothers and their top people.
But I know the law. And I know how to protect the prosperity of the company. How to safeguard our profits, and protect our people.
During the journey, Winter has vacillated between giddy and sober. I know she grew up here for a time with her family. It must be hard to return. To remember a city that holds memories of people that no longer exist.
“What’s it like to be back in Manhattan?”
Gently wavy, her golden red hair is down, contrasting strongly against her charcoal pantsuit. She looks professional and kick-ass.
“I’ve not been back since I was sixteen. I’m happy to be back, but it’s bittersweet.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, reaching for her hand and threading our fingers together.
“I might take a trip out to my old haunts before I go back. If there’s time.”
“We can make time.”