Page 59 of The Rules We Broke
That kindness? It made everything harder.
“Benjamin mentioned last night that my aunt was going to pull her accounts from the bank,” I said carefully. “Do you know what made her change her mind? And why are your names suddenly on her Christmas list?”
Brady grinned. “That’s two questions.”
“I have a feeling they’re related.”
“You always were a smart girl.”
I almost replied,Not smart enough to follow the rules a long time ago,but I let that one go.
“So . . . ” I prompted.
His eyes gleamed as he reached for my hand again. He really needed to quit doing that.
But I was still in selfish mode—so I let him keep it.
“Well,” he began, “not long after I busted my leg, things were looking bleak at the bank. Your aunt pulling her accounts would have been the final nail. Benjamin consulted with our dad—who, surprise, surprise, was hell-bent against negotiating with your aunt. Even if it meant losing the bank. Benjamin discussed it with me as well, even though I was still in school.”
He paused, locking eyes with me—those beautiful blue eyes that made me forget logic.
“Actually,” he continued, “Benjamin and I were talking a lot about our two families.”
“Yes, Benjaminkind ofmentioned that—Kendra had to step in before we had words.”
Brady chuckled. “I’d have loved to see that.”
“Well, I’m glad it didn’t come to that. I already embarrassed myself plenty last night.”
His brows knit. “What are you talking about? Benjamin and Kendra said they loved having you over.”
I gave him a half-hearted smile. There was no way I was telling him I’d cried because he still lived inside my heart.
He took the cue to continue.
“After some long conversations—and with Kendra’s nudge—Benjamin decided to approach your aunt directly.”
“What did your daddy think of that?”
Brady shrugged. “We figured it was better to ask forgiveness than permission. We knew it was a long shot, but Benjamin had the genius idea of inviting her to dinner. He brought Kendra along. Luckily for us, they hit it off.”
“Really?”
“Well, it still took some serious convincing. But the door cracked open. Okay . . . maybe more like a window.” He grinned.
“Your aunt’s a sharp businesswoman. And she hadstrongfeelings about my family. Especially when it came to you.” He paused. “My name came up a lot—though she mostly referred to me as ‘the Jackson boy.’”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
Brady smiled. “She still calls me that.”
I stopped laughing. “Do you talk to her?”
“Not until recently. She was against me taking the job at the bank, but the board overrode her.”
“Wait—my aunt’sonyour board?”
“She is. That was part of the deal—keeping her money with us. I can’t believe you didn’t know any of this.”
