Page 22 of Once Upon A Valentine
“But?” Gibson prodded when he trailed off again.
“But I need more than just my relationship with him in order to have a life I can be proud of. I want to be good enough for him and living off my trust fund isn’t the way to do that. Even if I’m not blowing it by partying all the time, I can’t just sit at home and do nothing while he works either.”
Gibson tilted his head, his gaze sharp, “What are you saying, Bran?”
He took a deep breath for courage, “What I’m saying is that I think I’m finally ready to be the man that Dad wanted me to be. He wanted me here, in the family business, and you’ve always said that there was a spot for me if I wanted it so… how about it?”
“You want to work here? At Frost Financial?” Gibson was looking at him as if this was the most surprising thing he’d said since he walked into the room. “You’re here because you want a job?”
“Yes.”
Gibson’s brows furrowed, “Bran…”
“Don’t.” He instantly bristled, “Don’t use that tone with me. Please. I know what you’re going to say next and you’re wrong. This isn’t because I want to be closer to Jules. I mean, I do, all the time, but that’ s not why I want to work here. And no, it wasn’t his idea either. It was mine. This is me asking for the benefit of the doubt and I know I don’t deserve it but I hope you’ll let me prove to you that I really am turning my life around.”
Gibson stood up and paced to the window. He was quiet and Bran let him think. He knew he was asking for a lot. Gibson had spent years distancing the company from Bran’s questionable morals and ethics. Letting him come to work here was not a small decision for his brother to make, not when they were talking about their father’s company, their father’s legacy.
“You can’t just walk in here and expect me to make you VP because your last name is Frost. You know that, right?”
“Absolutely.” Bran shook his head, “And I don’t want to be VP, Gibson. The executive thing is all you. I don’t want to be here 60 hours a week constantly stressing over every little detail. I just want a job, something to do all day that I can be proud of before I go home to my boyfriend at five o’clock. I’ll take whatever job you can offer me. I’m not too proud to sort mail or make copies or mop the damn floor if that’s where you think I should start.”
Gibson turned back around, “I’m not going to make you be a janitor, Bran.”
He shrugged, “It’s honest work.”
“It is but…” Gibson sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “You did manage to get your degree somewhere along the way if I remember correctly.”
“I did.” Bran confirmed, “I majored in partying but eventually I racked up enough credits they had to give me that marketing degree.”
“Marketing.” Gibson looked thoughtful, “Is that something you’d be interested in?”
“Sure?”
“Well if that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is.” Gibson chuckled. “I’ll make a call to Leonard Olsen. He’s the head of the marketing department. I’ll see what he has available and then he’ll get in touch with you. It’ll take a few days at least but…”
“Thank you.” Bran nodded excitedly. “Thank you, Gibson.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Olsen is a hard-ass from what I hear. He won’t put up with any bullshit so you better be serious.”
“I am. I swear I am. And I appreciate that you haven’t given up on me, Gib.” Branson stood, “I’ll get out of your hair so you can get back to work and we can talk when…”
“Hold up.” Gibson moved back towards him. “Since you’re here, there’s something I want to ask you too.”
“Sure, what’s up?” Bran felt a lot more at ease now that they’d settled the business talk.
“Would you please, do me the honor, of being my best man?”
Tension filled Bran’s veins all over again, “What?”
“I want you to be my best man for the wedding.”
“Are you serious? You really want me?” He was flabbergasted.
“Yes.” Gibson said seriously. “You’re my brother.”
“So is Dawson.” He pointed out. “And he’s the better choice. He’s even helping Beau with the wedding planning to take some of the burden off your groom. He would love to be your best man.”
“Maybe.” Gibson hedged, “But I want it to be you. Besides, it’s tradition since you’re older. You can be my best man and someday, when you get married, Dawson can be yours.”
