Brooks drags his hand down my spine, and I have to lean into his side because I might fall over.
“I’m sorry, I think my brain is coffee-deprived. Connor, that’s very generous, but I can’t afford?—”
“I didn’t ask you to pay me,” he says simply.
Frowning, I nibble my lower lip. “Actually, Icouldafford it,” I finally admit. “I just didn’t want to touch the money that my asshole of a late husband left me.”
“Money isn’t personal.” Connor shrugs. “It doesn’t care if it sits untouched in an account, or if you spend it all in one go. It’snotthe arsehole who mistreated you, Jules. But it’s your choice. If you’d rather not use that money, I’ll front it.”
“I can’t ask you to do that and not pay you back.”
“Do you want a silent partner?” he counters, and I recoil as if he hit me.
“No offense, but no. I don’t.”
Connor’s smile spreads over his face. “I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t either. You’re a smart businesswoman. Here’s the thing, Jules: my wife, whom I’m completely in love and obsessed with, adores you and this restaurant. She wants to make sure you succeed. Her family”—he gestures to Brooks—“who is nowmyfamily, cares about you, and we take care of our own. You don’t have to deal with any of this by yourself.”
I will not cry in front of these men.
Brooks kisses the top of my head, and I take a shuddering breath.
“I haven’t asked for or accepted help from anyone in averylong time,” I admit quietly. “I’m not sure I know how.”
“Maybe this is a good time to start,” Brooks murmurs.
Meeting Connor’s gaze, I nod but reach out to lay my hand on his arm.
Brooks growls low in his throat, but I ignore him.
“I will gratefully accept your help,” I tell him. “But I would like for us to come to an agreement for how I can return the favor. Somehow, free chicken wraps for life doesn’t feel like it’ll cut it.”
Connor smirks. “We’ll talk about it later. The first order of business is to get this cleaned up and restored so you can open your doors again.”
“I know my staff would love that, too,” I agree.
“Then let’s make it happen.”
Chapter Fourteen
BROOKS
It’s been a long fucking day.
Long.
Fucking.
Day.
And I’m ready to call it, take my wildfire home, and lose myself in her for the rest of the night. The fact that I even get to do that is still completely foreign to me.
I’m so fucking proud of her.
She didn’t leave and letthe guyshandle the heavy lifting today. No, my girl put on a mask, some gloves, and worked her gorgeous ass off right next to the rest of us. And when the floor was all gone, she jumped in to sweep and make decisions. She consulted with Connor and his construction foreman, devising a plan.
She fucking blew my mind.
But now everyone has cleared out. My brothers have gone home to their women, and Connor has collected Bee from across the street and taken her home as well.
