Page 118 of Game Change

“For what, Honeybee?”

“For finding me today. I’m sorry, but I was so frazzled I dropped the phone. Thank you for taking care of me. I’m not used to it, but I like it. Thank you for comforting me. I don’t know what I would have done without you to hold on to. Thank you for fighting for us. And thank you for loving me.”

More tears fall, but these are not from pain. These are from love. The love of this man and the comfort he offers. These tears are of gratitude and relief.

“Thank you for giving me a safe place to cry. A safe place to land.”

“You know you never have to thank me for doing those things, right?”

“Yes, I do. I want you to know how much I appreciate you.”

“I already know. And I’m going to be your husband. It’s my job to do those things. It’s my privilege, Brynne. There’s one more thing I want to tell you.” He stops speaking and sits up in the bed. I do the same and look into his eyes.

“What is it?” I ask.

“As you already know, Uncle Milton has willed Kincaid Architecture to me. He says it’s mine to run now, and I want you to be my partner. It’s going to be ours. That was going to be my wedding present to you, but I’m telling you now because I know you want to leave. I want you to reconsider. I—”

“I don’t want it,” I say. “I—”

“I know you want to create your own company, but you’ve helped to make Kincaid successful. You’re the best architect there, and Brynne, I don’t want us to compete. I—” I put a finger to his lips.

“If your uncle wants you to have it, it’s for you,” I say softly. “I can’t take it.”

“Half of it, Brynne, not all. It will be ours. We’ll run it together,” he says quickly. “Please. I want to do this with you. I want to do this with my beautiful, smart, and incredibly talented wife. Say yes. Make that my wedding present.”

My tears fall again, and I remember what Raven said a few weeks back. She was right. I don’t want to work endless hours when starting a business. I don’t want to compete with my husband. I want to be present. I’m over thirty, so we’ll need to start a family soon. I don’t want to spend our short child-free life working eighty hours per week. I want to travel, spend time with my husband, and have lazy Sundays in bed.

“I would love to run it with you,” I say, and he exhales in relief. I hug him tight. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” he says a few moments later. “And I’m glad you agree. Even though my management style is stupid.”

“No more meetings,” I tease, and he scoffs.

“The meetings are staying, and you’ll have to attend so we can show a united front.”

When I realize that he’s right, I groan. “You’re diabolical.”

“Yeah. Checkmate,” he says.

Chapter 63

Colin

“Why are all these people here?” I pull Heath into a quiet corner of the house.

“Hey, Killah,” Ian and Brody both say at once. Makayla waves and Malcolm nods. On the other side of the room are Raven, Amira, and Ernestine.

“Well, Raven was calling people, so I called Uncle Milton and Colin the First and told them what was going on. They’re on their way. And then your phone rang, and it was Ian, so I answered. I know he’s one of your best friends. He must have told these other guys. The nerve, right? He should have asked you first if he could go and blab.”

“Why are you answering my phone?”

“Well, it rang. What else was I supposed to do? And Ernestine was worried about the Ice Princess, so when she called, I answered. You act like it’s my fault all these people are here.” He crosses his arms as if he’s indignant.

“Did you tell them to come over?” I ask.

“Well, yes, but only because I heard Raven tell someone to come over too.”

“Give me my damn phone.” I hold out my hand, and he puts the phone in it.

---