He extended his hand, and I regarded it for a moment before finally taking it.
“Then let’s do this, Scott.”
“Two brothers doing the right thing,” he said. “Love to see it, right?”
A knock sounded at the door—Shauna.
“Come in,” I said.
She opened the door and stepped in. “Sorry to interrupt,” she said. “But Jason, your nine-thirty’s here.”
Scott nodded. “I’ll get going. Looking forward to this, Jason.”
“Me too.”
“Scott?” asked Shauna. “Do you mind meeting me in my office? There’s something I want to discuss with you.”
“That right?”
I knew what it was—Shauna likely asking him about his date for the ball.
“Yep.” She smiled. “Just…a proposal.”
Scott turned his attention back to me. “Glad we had this talk, Jason.”
“Same here. And looking forward to the good news.”
“Right,” he said. “Don’t worry. I’ll get us right where we need to be.”
Shauna held the door open for Scott, and I watched as the two of them left.
It was an interesting development. If Scott had finally come around, it would mean I’d finally be able to make the break I’d been planning for years.
But it seemed too easy. You didn’t get to where I was by being trusting. Still, Scott was my brother, and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I hoped I wouldn’t regret it.