Page 153 of All We Need

My neck cracks with how quickly it whips in his direction. “What?No.”

“Then why did you stay?Whytake over fromGloriaafter she retired if this isn’t what you wanted?”

I shrug, like the answer is obvious. “Whoelse would do it?Dadtrusted me, and without him here anymore,Ihad to keep my promise.”

His gaze darts around the room in confusion. “Whatpromise?”

A chill breaks out over my skin at the memory.Toa drearyThursdayafternoon.Itwas raining, not heavily, but that fine mist that soaks you in seconds.Asea of black outfits surrounded me.Heartbreakand devastation worn by everyone.

We didn’t have a burial forDad.Itwasn’t what he wanted.Instead, we scattered his ashes atPiperBeach, overlooking the bay, and watched as the tide washed them away.

When the waves kissed the tips of my shiny black dress shoes,Imade a silent promise.

“The day we said goodbye toDad.”It’simpossible to look at my brother as grief clenches its claws around my heart. “Ipromised himIwould watch over the restaurant.I’dnever turn my back on my family.It’swhat he would have wanted.”

Painful silence stretches between us.I’mworriedI’vepissed him off again, but whenIglance atGraham, he stares at me with a broken expression. “Booth.”Histone is hushed. “Hewould have never expected that of you.”

The ache in my chest makes it hard to speak. “Yeah, well, we’ll never know, and it’s too late to break that promise now.”

I’m used toGraham’squiet.He’sprocessing the anvil-sized informationI’vedropped.Iturn my hands over, inspecting the small scars marring my skin.Allfrom years of keeping a promise never spoken.

There’s a rustling of paper, then a white envelope lands in my upturned palms.

Scrawled in handwritingIwould recognize anywhere, is my name.

My heart stops.

“I don’t think you’re an idiot.Mostof the time.ButIthink what you’re doing is idiotic.”Hetaps the envelope. “Dadwould think so too.He’dbe heartbroken to know you’re holding yourself back.”Graham’swords wrench at my insides. “I, of all people, know how terrifying it is to put yourself out there.IfIhadn’t taken a risk a few months ago, do you know whereI’dbe?”

I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head.

“I’d still be wallowing in self-pity and pining afterQuinn.ButItook the risk, and fuck, if it wasn’t the best decision of my life.Shesaved me.”Emotionwells in his eyes.There’sno arguing with him there. “Alyhas a right to be upset.Shetrusted you with the rawest parts of her and you held yourself back.Believeme whenIsay turning down this opportunity will be the second biggest mistake of your life.”

My voice cracks. “Andthe first?”

There isn’t an ounce of indecision in his words. “LettingAlygo.”

Feeling likeI’mgoing in circles, my eyes clamp shut to stop the room spinning. “Shehadto go.Thatwas always the plan.”

“She did.Andthe only thing stopping you from following her isyou.”Myeyes ping open. “I’dbe sad to see you go.Weall would.Butit’ll be difficult to forgive you if you stay.”

My shoulders shudder asIsuppress the anguish threatening to break free. “I’mscared.”

Suddenly,I’mwrapped in a brotherly embrace.Graham’sbig arms squeeze a sob out of me as he holds me tight. “Beingscared is good.”

Graham’s arms lock around me asIwork to regain myself.Whenhe pulls back, he glances down at the envelope clutched between my fingers. “Idon’t know what it says or when he wrote it, but his timing is always impeccable.”

“What do you mean?”

Heartache laces his smile. “Patfound four letters stuffed away in a closet atMom’s.Onefor each of us.”Heswallows before staring longingly at the paper in my hands. “Patread his after the news about the restaurant broke.Hegave me mine afterQuinnandItook some time apart.AndI’mgiving you yours now.”

Another envelope appears from his pocket, and he doesn’t need to explain who it’s for or who will be delivering it.

Florence.

My heart clenches. “HowwillIknow when to give it to her?”

“You’ll just know.Asmuch asIwanted to hand you yours months ago, something tells me now is the perfect time.”Hestands, leaving me frozen, and peers down at me knowingly. “Whenyou’re ready, we’re all ears, but at the end of the day, we love you and want to see you happy.”

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