Page 96 of An Accidental Flatmate

“She didn’t ask for your help. Sounds exactly like you, Cas. You don’t ask.”

“I’ve got a few plans I’ve been working on, not just joining the business.”

“Tell me.”

“I pay half of her mortgage payments. She pays half, then she’s got enough to pay the rent, and I start my business more slowly than planned.”

“This is your alternative to giving her your savings and going to work for your father, whether he wants you to or not.” Hunter held Cas’s gaze. “Why would she accept that?”

“Family—if we marry—”

“Whoa. I must have missed steps one through ninety-nine, the ones between sharing a bed and marriage. What about your vow after Monique?”

“Beatriz has exorcised Monique.”

“How, because Maha and I sure the hell tried hard enough to.” An edge of frustration had entered Hunt’s usually calm voice.

“Beatriz wants me to succeed. Me, Casildo Hariri.”

That’s what he’d finally realised. Beatriz saw him, not his family’s wealth, not his current job description. That’s how he knew she loved him, even if she didn’t know it yet.

“We all want you to succeed, you idiot, including Raed. Maybe Raed the most. I love your heart and your loyalty. I love that you’re my brother, but giving up your dream isn’t the answer.” Hunt shifted to sit beside him.

“I might have a better plan.”

“You’d better, becauseif—and your plan is riddled with ifs—if Beatriz accepts half your money, and if she agrees to marry you, you could lose the business and her anyway. She’ll always feel guilty, wonder if you’re doubting her love. That’s a recipe for hell on steroids.”

“I need your help.” Cas had said the words, and the world hadn’t ended.

“Are those words really so hard to say?” Hunt stared straight ahead, a concession so he wasn’t looking at Cas’s face as Cas made the stupid confession.

“Plan A was kneejerk, although I have been worried about Dad. I don’t want to follow in Dad’s footsteps.”

“We all know that.”

“And given how many nights I badgered you with my ideas, you also know I fell in love with my granny’s fabrics when I crawled over every surface in her flat as a baby. Slippery, knobbled, warm, cool, slinky, comforting—I learnt a whole vocabulary from her.”

“I know you adored her. I’m sorry I only met her a few times.” Hunter’s voice was low, designed to keep him talking.

“Even more, I don’t want to disappoint Dad anymore. The first time Dad took me to The Hariri building, him in his suit, me in short pants and my first jacket, I was about five or six. Dad was glowing as the sign-writers mounted the sign. One of them patted my head. ‘Not long before you’ll be handing over to this one,’ he said. The lawyers were inside. ‘Brought your son along to see his inheritance.’”

“Do you ever think Raed might have had something to prove to his dad? He left his home, his family, his religion to give his daughters opportunities. That would have been tough. You’re very like him. I’m guessing that’s why you’ve been so determined to establish your business without help.”

“Ihavefelt guilty that I’ve disappointed him. Never asking for help to achieve my dreams was my cack-handed apology for not wanting what he wanted.”

“Very like him.” Hunt nudged his shoulder.

“My stuff up with Monique disappointed him,” Cas confessed his deeper worry.

“That’s not my reading of the situation. You should ask him.”

“I’ll be asking him a lot of things. I can’t lose Beatriz.”

“What can I do?”

“Will you be my business partner, Hunt? I know you refused Dad, but I’m asking you to be my partner in this.”

“You want me to draft the clauses so you’re not responsible for any losses?”

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