Page 99 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
She looked over her shoulder at Carson and said, “Ugly color, Daddy, not ugly person.” She focused on their father again. “Do you want to be those ugly colors?”
He swallowed hard again, as if he had a chance of stifling the emotions welling in his eyes. “No, honey, I don’t.”
She patted his cheeks and said, “Do you see people in colors like me?”
That earned a genuine smile. “No. You’re very special.”
“I think you’re special, too.” She climbed off his lap, picked up her juice cup, and went back to her coloring books on the other side of the table.
Brett swore the entire room exhaled.
“I…” Their father rose to his feet by Carson, eyed the door, then asked, “Does she have synesthesia? A cross-wiring of the senses?”
“We believe so,” Carson said.
“Fascinating.” Their father glanced at Adeline, his expression warming as he shifted his gaze to Carson again. “And terrifying that she could see me so clearly. She saw you, too. Yellow, struggling to maintain control. I’m sorry, son. I appreciate the time you’ve given me with her. I think I’d better take off.”
“You don’t have to,” Carson said.
“Stick around for a while,” Brett urged as he and his brothers followed their father to the door.
“I can’t, but this was good. Thank you.” He held Brett’s gaze for a beat before his sharp eyes moved to his other sons, lingering on each of them. “I can’t make up for the hurt I’ve caused. I understand that. But you should know that I’ve learned how to let some of that anger go, and I never would have if it weren’t for the four of you making the decision to bring Lorelei back into the world of the living. I am tremendously grateful for that and for you allowing me to come over tonight. I love you boys, and I’m proud of the men you’ve become.”
He reached for the door, and Dylan reached for him, drawing him into an awkward embrace. His father looked over Dylan’s shoulder and mouthed thank you to Brett, but Brett knew it wasn’t him who deserved the gratitude. He reached for Sophie as his brothers said their goodbyes to their father.
“This is because of you, baby,” he said into her ear, taking a step away from the others. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything but follow my heart.” She wrapped her arms around him, her sweet smile lighting up her eyes. “You thought you caused the demise of your family, but look”—she motioned toward his brothers and father—“I think you saved them.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I LOVE THESE heels.” Sophie showed Grace a pair of taupe suede pumps that laced up the ankle. “I wish I had them last week.” Sophie and Brett had checked off their nooner fantasy when she’d sent him a key to a hotel room with a note that read, Meet me in room 303 at noon. Bring a special package—or two. He’d brought a whole box of condoms.
Grace snort-laughed. “If you think Brett would have noticed your heels, then you’re dreaming.”
“Ha! You’re right. You have to admit, he’d go crazy for lace-ups, but they don’t go with my dress.”
“Then we’ll have to find a new dress.” Grace ran her finger down the shoe boxes until she found Sophie’s size and handed her the box. “Try them on.”
She sat on the bench and slipped off her boots. “The musical is tonight. I wish we had more time to shop.” She couldn’t believe it had been almost two weeks since Brett’s father came over. She swore Brett and his brothers were closer because of it, and Brett definitely seemed like the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders.
“Time? I think I’ve heard of that elusive element.” Grace handed her one of the heels.
“I know, right? Thank you for putting all this together for Adeline. I know you have hardly any time between shows, and coordinating the private showing must have been a real pain.” Grace had arranged for Brett’s family to see a play they’d run last year called the Magical Musical, which featured princesses, knights, and friendly dragons. Brett was footing the entire bill, and Grace didn’t know it yet, but in return Brett had arranged for an all-expense-paid trip to Hawaii for her on a date of her choosing. Sophie loved that he didn’t take anyone for granted.
