Page 60 of Just A Date

Someone needs to introduce these Bentleys to better music.

“Think about it.”

I stare at my fuzzy pink socks. I am thinking about it, and so much more.

“But what if—?”

I look up just in time to see the front door shut behind him.

Chapter 25

Michael

I scratch the back of my arm and then force my hand to drop to my side. I don’t need to be nervous; it’s just my dad. But what if he doesn’t agree with me? What if he has a different future in mind?

I stretch out my fingers. I used to be so confident in what I did. Maybe because there wasn’t a risk. Now that I know what I stand to lose, on top of what I’ve already lost, I’m terrified. It’s much easier to be confident when there’s nothing at stake, but a passionate risk is worth the reward.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself about my crushed heart.

For fourteen hours of the day, I can convince myself it was all worth it, but then the noise of the day fades and I have to find another way to distract myself. I’ve watched, and rewatched, every holiday rom-com on four different streaming services.

I lift my fist and knock on my dad’s office door.

He looks up from his computer and pulls off his reading glasses. “Hey, Mike.”

“Hey, Dad.” I step inside and sit on the only other chair.

“I heard there was a scuffle in the break room the other day,” Dad says, rubbing his chin.

I clench my hands around the armrests, so they don’t betray me by digging into my bicep again. “Not my finest moment,” I admit. “But I apologized to Sean, and we’re good.” We are brothers, after all. Our contempt for each other is wrapped in love. Most of the time.

“Good.” Dad drums his fingers on the desk. “A great leader knows when to admit he’s wrong.”

Leader?I look at his eyes, which are almost the same shade of blue as mine.

“Sean told me about the reward for the bet.”

Nothing is a secret in this family.

“He also told me what it took to win.” He gives me a pointed look. “Which we will discuss in a minute, but right now, let’s talk about the job.”

The job. The reason I’m here. “Right. I wanted to speak to you about that.”

“I’m assuming you want it.” My dad looks at me with a stern expression, one that had me ready to bolt as a kid. But I’m not a child anymore. I’m ready to put my heart and soul into this business.

“And more,” I say.

He raises a single brow. “You think you’re ready to take over?”

“I am.” I pinch my thigh. “When you’re ready to let me.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes.” I sit up straighter. “I want to run the business.”

“I know.” Dad taps his desk with a fist. “But what else do you want?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

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