“You want me to talk business at our dinner?”
“Well, the dinner is pretty much over, and it didn’t exactly turn out as we’d planned. Besides”—his eyes danced—“I’m dying to know what he’s going to say to you.”
André chuckled. “You and me both. And thank you for this. I’m hoping tonight will bring a whole host of changes we never expected. All except one. You and me. Together. That’s never going to change.” After popping a few macarons into his mouth in quick succession, he stood. “If you’ll excuse us a moment, my brother and I are going to talk. Ready, Henry?”
Henry downed his coffee. “Yep. Let’s go.”
The two of them left the dining room, and André could sense the weight of everyone’s stares as they walked away. They passed several rooms until they reached the library. Countless important conversations with his father had been held inside, including the one at age fifteen when he’d screwed up his nerve to tell him he was gay. His father had clasped his hands on top of the large mahogany desk and told him,“You could never disappoint me unless you’re unnecessarily cruel or hurt other people, André. But take care of your health. You’re young now, but when you start having sex”—his father fixed his eyes on him, and André went up in flames of embarrassment—“make sure you’re safe. Don’t ever slip up. Not even one time. When you’re older and in a committed relationship, you’ll understand what it means to give yourself completely.”
He’d never forgotten those words or how his father had supported him. And now he understood about love and commitment.
Once inside the library, he took the seat behind the desk now, and Henry sat before him.
“So. You want to take over Webster Properties.”
“I do. It wasn’t something I threw out for shock value.”
“Talk to me, then. Tell me why you think you’re qualified.”
Henry’s jaw tightened. “You sound as if you already have your mind made up against me.”
“That’s a little-boy attitude. You’re a man. If you want to be in charge of a huge corporation, responsible for thousands of employees around the world, you’re going to have to act like an adult. No partying until dawn with supermodels on yachts. No stumbling around drunk or high after an event. Your face will be the face of Webster Properties.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
Impatience crept into his voice. “I don’t know what you think. I don’t know you well enough to see what else there is beyond the pictures in the papers.”
“Is that only my fault?” Henry challenged him. “Family goes both ways, big brother. Maybe I’m a little intimidated because you’re fifteen years older and always so busy. Maybe I didn’t think you’d have the time for my simple questions because you’re so judgmental.”
“Me? Judgmental?” Troubled by Henry’s words, he sought to keep his temper in check. “You show up for the dinners and parties when we open a new property, but when else?”
“Let me ask you a question. How do you think I know ahead of time where you’re going to be?”
“What?” André’s brow furrowed. “Explain, please. I’m not following.”
A sigh escaped Henry, and he stretched his long legs out in front of him. “I’ve been thinking about the future a lot lately—since I turned thirty. I don’t want to grow up and be thought of as a joke, or the Webster kid who does nothing but party. It was fun in my twenties, but I know I can’t keep doing that for much longer. Plus…” He paused and rubbed at his eyes. “I don’t want to be a disappointment to Dad. For the past year or so, I’ve been going to our different properties in Europe and speaking with the managers to see what’s working and what’s not. Taking notes and keeping spreadsheets. I asked them about their plans to improve the guest experience. Oftentimes I’d speak with guests in the dining rooms to gauge their overall opinion of the hotel and discover what we did well and where we were failing.”
As Henry spoke, André’s astonishment grew, and when he finished, André stared at him. “You’re kidding me.” When a hurt expression flashed across Henry’s face, he hastily corrected, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Sure you did, but I can’t blame you. I haven’t given you much to work with. But I’m willing to learn. And before you say anything, I know this isn’t a position that allows for on-the-job training. I can’t jump into it and learn as I go. But I’m a quick learner, and I’m sure you have a good team in place. I love the travel, and I’m not tied up in a relationship.”
“I’m shocked, in a good way. And impressed—blown away, frankly—by your initiative. That’s what a true leader does. So as long as I know you’re trying and giving it your all, of course I’ll be there to help with anything you need. We haven’t had a close relationship, and that’s my fault as well as yours, but I love you. I hope you don’t doubt that—you never should. You’re my little brother, and all I ever wanted was for you to find a direction. Your path.”
“All paths lead toward home.”
The glisten of tears in Henry’s eyes almost certainly matched his own. “Dad would’ve been thrilled to see this. I’m thinking he’s looking down on us approvingly.”
Henry beamed, and André recalled the little boy always tagging along after him when they were younger: how he’d swing him on his shoulders when they went apple-picking, helped him with his ice skates when they went to the pond. He looked forward to sharing this next part of their lives.
A knock at the door brought him out of his musings. “Come in.”
Bianca stuck her head in. “Can anyone join, or is it a boys-only meeting?”
“Not that you’d let that stop you, Bee.” Henry snickered but hooked his foot around a chair and pulled it close. “Have a seat. André and I were talking about me taking over the business.”
“What do you think?” André was curious how she’d respond. The twins had always stood steadfast in their desire to reap the benefits of the business without the burden, but he was sensing a sea change. He wanted to hear it from both of them.
“I was thinking that if there’s room at the table for one more, I’d like to join.”
