Page 35 of Red, White, and You

He can’t sell Camp West.

I scan the article in its entirety, then click out of it to see what else I can find. It appears that he’s been trying to sell theland for a couple months. Eight weeks, in fact. The initial sale listing went live around the same time I said goodbye.

My personal assistant knocks on the door, then steps into my office. “Good morning, Brie. I just wanted to let you know that the partners are requesting an update on the Thompson case,” she says, her voice filled with a mix of concern and hesitation. This is how Andi sounds these days, howeveryonesounds.

They all see the change in me, but they don’t know what it means.

Only Chris knows the true extent of my pain. And though she’s been picking up my slack since I returned from Pennsylvania and told her everything—about my marriage to Brady, reconnecting, then saying goodbye and leaving my heart in his hands—I wonder how long she’ll do so before she finds a way to push me out and take full control of the firm.

And with my mind so out of the game these days, I’m half-tempted to let her.

I click into another article about Camp West, trying to get to the bottom of this. How can Brady sell something he loves so much? How can he walk away from the camp he designed and built? He said it himself, his blood, sweat, and tears are all over that place.

Andi lingers for a moment, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Is everything okay, Brie? You seem…different lately.”

I manage a weak smile, trying to dismiss her concern. “I’m just going through a rough patch. Nothing I can’t handle.”

She nods, backing out of my office quietly, though the suspicion in her eyes tells me she clearly doubts I canhandlemuch of anything.

As the day drags on, I find myself staring out the window, lost in memories of Camp West. Below me, the city buzzeswith activity, people rushing to and fro, their lives intertwined in a tapestry of routine. I used to feel a part of that energy, a part of those New Yorkers.

Now it just feels… foreign. Detached.

There’s no connection.

In the three days I spent with Brady at Camp West, I felt more connected—to a person, a place—than I have anywhere else or any other time in my life.

Hecan’tsell it.

I pick up the intercom and say, “Andi, come back in here, please.”

She pops her head into my office quickly. “Yes, Brie?”

“Um…” I frown, trying to gather my thoughts before they spin out of control. “I need…” Biting my bottom lip, I create the list of steps rapid-fire in my mind. “My accountant, get him on the phone first. And I’ll need my real estate agent; do you still have Ryan Harris’ number? If not, Betty in HR can get it for you. She’s the one who referred me to him back when I bought the penthouse.”

I extend my hand toward her, wiggling my fingers as I try to make sense of what it is I’m about to do. My pulse speeds as the plan falls into place, filling me with an electric energy I haven’t felt in, well, eight weeks.

I chuckle as I say, “I’m going to email you a link to a property in Pennsylvania.” I turn toward the computer to begin that task.

“Okay.” Her brows furrow as she continues scribbling notes on a notepad.

“I’m going to buy it.”

“Okay… you’re going to…” Her pen stills on the page and I look up to find her staring at me with comically wide eyes. “What?”

I splay my hands out. “I’m going to buy Camp West.”

Andi frowns. “Camp West?”

“Yes.” I huff. “That’s what I just said. I’m going to buy Camp West.” The grin stretching across my face is probably wild, judging by the stunned look in my assistant’s eyes, but I can’t help it. This might be the best idea I’ve ever had.

Andi glances over her shoulder like she’s looking for backup, but then she nods and makes another note. “Camp West. Pennsylvania. Got it.

“Ryan Harris,” I add.

She nods again, scribbling the name down. Eventually, she tilts her head, eyes narrowed as she meets my gaze again. “Are you sure you’re okay, Brie?”

With a deep breath, I nod and rise to my feet. Resting my fingertips on my desk, I lean forward, and say truthfully, “Andrea, honey, I’ve never been better.”

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