Page 763 of One More Kiss

“You’re going to have to talk to Dad at some point, but I think I can get you in with the construction crew. It’s day labor, not a manager job, and it will require you to step up your game. No slacking or I’ll fire you.”

“Is there room for improvement when I prove you wrong?” He smirks, the carefree brother I know peeking out.

“The world is your oyster, little brother. You have all the years left in front of you to turn it all around. This is a family business, but you have to earn your place. Just like William and I did.”

“I get it. And you won’t regret it. I promise. What type of project is it?”

“It’s the mental health hospital in Mom’s memory. We break ground next month. Until then, you can shadow George around and learn how to do things.”

“It’s for Mom?”

A tear stains his cheek and drops off his jaw. He wipes it away and waits for my response. My throat closes and I want to join him in sharing emotions, but it’s been a long time since I’ve even had any. I can blame this on one particular girl.

“Yes.”

“I’ll do it. No matter what it is, I’ll do it. For Mom.”

He gets up from his seat and he meets me halfway around the desk. I expect to shake his hand, but he pulls me in for a hug. At first, I don’t hug him back, but then I realize he needs this more than me. It feels almost like closure, or a promise for his new life.

* * *

“I’ve found our new project,”I say, strolling into William’s office.

“I have no doubt about that, you’re always ten steps ahead of us,” he says, throwing his pen on the desk and leaning back in his car.

I go to the minibar and pour us both a whiskey. Walking over, I hand him the glass and take a sip of mine before sitting in the chair across from him.

“It’s 10 am,” he says, eyeing the glass.

“Doesn’t matter, this is cause for celebration. This deal is going to save on costs for all future developments, and it will keep our in-house employees busy. Moving some things around makes this perfect for me. For us.”

“I’m not following here,” he says, raising his eyebrow and giving me a curious grin.

“There’s a firm, an interior design firm, that’s in the red. Deep in. They need a bailout and I want to give it to them.”

“You want to buy a company that isn’t great at business? It sounds more like a lose than a win.”

“We revamp it. Get our in-house designers to lead the company. Not only does this come with a client base, but it also comes with an office. Buying the building would make it even more lucrative.”

“Is this about Riley?”

For a second, I’m so taken aback by his keen sense that there’s something going on, I don’t answer. Then my brain kicks in.

“Absolutely not. Didn’t I make it clear when I said no getting involved with employees? I’m not about to go against my own rule.”

He studies me but doesn’t reply. Smart man.

“Have you shown Dad the numbers?”

“Emailed him this morning with everything. This will cut costs on our employee insurances and human resources tasks. It’s structured as its own company and we will filter all the money through that. They work exclusively for our developmental projects and take a limited amount of side work to float extra costs.”

“It could work. What do you need from me?”

“Go to New York while I get this all step up. It will take months for this to take off, and my office needs a leader.”

“You want me to pick up and leave? Boston is my home.”

“You and I both know that you couldn’t care less about this city. I’ll give you the keys to my apartment. You can stay there while I’m here, and it comes with extra perks that you don’t get in Boston.”

“Like what?”

“Best food in the world, night-life, and even a Broadway show or two.”

“You’re a regular salesman. It may be time for me to go for a change of scenery. I’m pretty sure New York will love me.”

I smile because I know I’ve hooked him. This deal is going to go through and it will take care of my Riley problem once and for all. She won’t work for Brook Enterprises, and I can finally get her out of my system.

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