“I already told you—this is Margery’s house, and she invited me.” Kyle arched a nonchalant brow. “So get off your high horse. If you want to bang your boyfriend, go for it, but I won’t leave unless she tells me to.”
“Maybe that’s what you need to do, André.” Chess stepped into the kitchen and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Sounds like you need to call Margery and tell her that her lawyer is sneaking around, listening in on her son. I’m sure she won’t be happy.”
“Good morning, love. I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Giving Kyle his back, André left him sitting at the table. He took Chess’s hand and kissed his cheek. “Let’s do that now, and we can give her our news as well.”
A wide smile greeted him. “Sounds good to me.” Hand in hand, they walked toward the door leading outside.
“What news?” Kyle called out, standing up and trailing them. “What’re you talking about?”
Ignoring Kyle’s yapping, André squeezed Chess’s hand. “Let’s go out on the deck and call her.”
With satisfaction, André let the door swing shut in Kyle’s face.
They settled into their seats, and André set his phone on the table between them, put it on speaker, and hit Speed Dial.
“Darling, how are you?”
“Good morning, Mother. Or afternoon, since you’re still in Zürich. We’re good. Better than good, as a matter of fact.”
Kyle pushed open the door and strolled onto the deck, choosing to lie on one of the chaise lounges about ten feet away from them.
“Oh? Did something happen? By the way, is Kyle there?”
“He certainly is. And I wish you would’ve let me know you sent him over before he popped up unannounced. That wasn’t right.”
“Well, you were so adamant about leaving and being with Chess, but like I told you, there are things that need to be dealt with that only you can handle.”
André sneaked a glance at Kyle and frowned at the slight uptick of his lips.Fuck him. He was loving this way too much.
“All well and good, but that doesn’t mean a stranger can show up in my home without giving me notice.”
“Darling, it’s my house as well. And I’m sure you can put aside your differences with Kyle to concentrate on what’s good for Webster Enterprises.”
“Of course. But that’s not the point. I should’ve been told. But aside from that, I have some news for you.”
“Oh? What?”
He took Chess’s hand in his. “I proposed to Chess.”
The silence stretched out long enough for André to pick up the phone. “Mother? Are you there? Hello?”
“Yes, yes I’m here. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’re thrilled, and just so you know, I gave Chess Dad’s ring.”
“You did?” Her voice rang out sharply, and Kyle turned his head, peering over his sunglasses, mouth forming an O.
“Well, yeah. Why wouldn’t I? Dad loved Chess, and before he died he told me he hoped we’d get married.” Tears rushed to his eyes, and Chess squeezed his hand tightly. “I should’ve asked Chess then, and we could’ve been married at his bedside. I wasn’t thinking straight at the time.”
“None of us were. So it was a surprise?”
“It was, Margery. I was shocked, but now that it’s sunk in, I’m so happy.” Chess gifted him with a smile, and André’s earlier misgivings faded. He seemed perfectly fine this morning. “And I feel honored to wear Corbin’s ring. He was very special to me.”
“He was a very special man,” she said quietly. “But getting back to Webster Properties, André, I need you to look at the contracts we’ve been hammering out with the owners of the small chain of luxury spa hotels we’re taking over.” She returned to her usual brisk manner, and André watched Chess’s face fall, knowing he would’ve loved to discuss their big news. But André knew it was merely her way. When her mind was on the business, nothing else mattered.
“Mother, I was thinking. Why aren’t we making more of an effort to bring Henry and Bianca in? Don’t you think it’s time they took active roles instead of merely being depositories for the benefits?”
“Those two? They haven’t the head for it. That’s why we have you.”
