Page 27 of Summer with a Navy SEAL

“And after that first time we bullied her, she fought back. She never backed down, never let us see her cry. It… it became a challenge. To break her spirit, I guess.” He pauses, then exhales. “God, we were such jerks.”

“Yeah, we were.”

Preston pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “You know, I’ve been impressed with Willy since she came back to Love Beach. The way she handled the beach house renovation... that took guts.”

I look at him curiously. “What do you mean?”

He chuckles. “Come on, you know how Mother is. Shewas pushing for a complete modern overhaul, wanted to erase every trace of Granddad’s vision. But Willy... she stood her ground.”

“She did?” I ask, surprised. As an interior decorator, she’d be following the client’s vision and that had been my fear when I walked into the beach house and realized what was happening. I couldn’t even switch on the lights that first night, choosing instead to head straight to the bedroom and deal with it in the morning.

Preston nods. “She came up with this brilliant compromise. Modernized the place but kept the spirit of what Granddad loved about it. You should have seen her, Brogan. She went toe-to-toe with Mother in design meetings, presenting her ideas with this quiet confidence. Never backed down, not once. And when she did appear to back down, it was Mother who’d end up changing her mind after she’d see the final result and then go with what Willy had suggested in the first place.”

“Like the kitchen cabinets,” I murmur to myself. Now it makes sense why the workers ended up moving on to their next job whether or not the renovation was completed.

“If there’s any woman who deserves to stand beside a Hollister, it’s Willy. She’s got the strength to handle this family, the talent to make her own mark, and the integrity to stay true to herself while doing it.”

“Such big compliments coming from you, big brother,” I say wryly. “You led the charge in making fun of her.”

Preston shrugs. “People change. Not all of us can beassholes forever.” He pauses. “Well, maybe sometimes in business you have to be.”

Preston was still finishing graduate school when Dad died, prompting him to take over the business before he considered himself ready. That had been Dad’s plan, to train his sons to follow after him, but he waited too long. He’d barely mentored Preston before he died. It left the company in shambles at first. I was too busy deploying on missions while Preston was too proud to admit he needed any help.

“You’ve done an amazing job with the business,” I say. “The company’s thriving.”

He laughs but there’s no humor in it. “Sure, on the surface.” He pauses as if debating whether to continue. “But inside, I’m drowning, man.”

I frown. “What do you mean? Is the company in trouble?”

“Not the company. Me,” Preston replies. “I’ve been too proud to admit it, but I need help. Your help. I need you. Brogan. Family. Why do you think I wanted you to listen in on Beaumont’s offer last night?”

The admission hangs in the air between us. I’m stunned by his vulnerability, by the raw honesty in his voice.

“Preston, I... I don’t know what to say. I may have left the SEALs but I’m working with a private firm now.”

He holds up a hand. “I’m not asking you to give that up. But maybe… maybe we could find a way to work together. Even if it’s just part-time, or you could look into consulting. I need someone I can trust, someone who’ll tell me the truth.”

I’m quiet for a moment, considering his words. “And Willy? Where does she fit into all this?”

Preston smiles, a genuine one that reaches his eyes. “She fits wherever you want her to, little brother…ifyou’re smart enough to hold onto her.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

WILLY

I slumpinto an uncomfortable plastic chair at JFK, my carry-on bag at my feet. The excitement of my new job in Washington is overshadowed by the heaviness in my heart. Leaving Love Beach, leaving Brogan... it’s harder than I ever imagined it would be.

I check my phone for the hundredth time. No new messages from Brogan. Our goodbye at the beach house yesterday was bittersweet. He held me tight, whispering words of encouragement, but I could see the sadness in his eyes. We promised to stay in touch, to make this work somehow, but it all seems hollow now. A fairy tale coming to an end.

Memories of that last morning together flood my mind. Brogan had been quiet as I packed but I could sense he was holding something back.

Penny for your thoughts?I’d asked as he smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

Just thinking about how much I’m going to miss this. Miss you.

I’d stopped, turning to face him.Brogan, if you don’t want me to go...

But he shook his head, cupping my face in his hands.No, Willy. This is your dream. I want you to chase it. I just... I wish it didn’t happen so fast. I wish I had more time with you. For real this time, no pretenses.

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