“Mmmhmm.” Bill didn’t sound convinced.
“Listen.” An idea popped into my head. “Why don’t you come up for a visit this weekend? Meet Weston, and you can see for yourself.”
“Ahh, I don’t know. I haven’t been in the city in years, and—”
“And it’s about time you did. I can’t take time off to come visit this year with the new partnership.” I used my most persuasive voice. “C’mon, Dad. I haven’t seen you since Christmas, and that was over six months ago. I’d really like you to meet Weston.”
“I’m no fancy guy. You know that.”
“He’s just a regular guy, like us.”
Bill snorted. “Yeah, with a coupla hundred million in the bank and a father who might be president.”
“Trust me,” I assured him grimly. “Weston is nothing like his father.”
**
“Are you sure he’s okay with us?” Weston and I waited at the arrivals gate at JFK. Friday evenings were crowded as usual, and of course the plane was delayed, which only made Weston more nervous.
“Yes. I told you. His concern isn’t that I’m with a man. It’s more how the relationship will affect me because of your father…and all your money.”
Brow puckered, West frowned. “I can’t do anything about that.” He grew agitated, but then his shoulders slumped. “I don’t throw away my money or live some crazy, lavish lifestyle.” At my steady stare, he crossed his arms. “What should I do, Bren? Give up my mother’s apartment and go live in a one-bedroom? Not accept the trust fund my family set up for me? That’s ridiculous, and you know it.”
“I’m not saying that. But he does remember seeing you and your Mercedes and hearing you talk about your fabulous vacations.” Bill had always insisted on driving me up to school after summer break or winter vacation, so inevitably, he’d run into Weston. And my digs about him didn’t help, so his opinion wasn’t crafted from thin air.
“Again, nothing I can do about it now.” Worried eyes met mine. “Is he going to hold that against me?”
“There he is.” I waved to Bill, who pulled a small carry-on behind him. “We’ll find out soon enough. Bill,” I called out, and he broke out into a big smile. “Don’t worry about it. He’ll love you.”
But I could see Weston’s concern in how he didn’t respond with his usual snarky reply. I grabbed Bill in a bear hug, grateful to feel his strong arms around me. The smell of his Old Spice aftershave mixed with Irish Spring soap was like coming home.
“How you doin’, kiddo? You’re lookin’ good.”
“I’m great. You remember Weston? West, this is my dad, Bill.”
“How are you, sir?” Weston shook his hand. “Good to see you after all these years.”
“A surprise for sure. Nice to see you too.”
“I have a car waiting for us in the garage. Why don’t I take your suitcase, and you and Brenner can catch up.”
Knowing the loss of his relationship with his father was never far from his mind, I could see how West wanted Bill to like him, and it only made me love him harder.
When we’d settled into the car, Bill clasped his hands and gazed from me to West, who shifted, uncharacteristically nervous. “So tell me about yourself. When did you realize you were interested in Brenner?”
I coughed. “Damn, nothing like getting right to the point. You couldn’t have waited until we got home?”
“It’s okay, I don’t mind answering.” Weston huffed out a sigh. “I’m not sure. Maybe the reason I came at him so hard when we were in school together was because I was fighting an attraction I wasn’t even aware of.”
That explanation startled me. “You…were?”
Weston’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “I’ve been thinking that might be the case. But you wanted nothing to do with me, so I guess it worked a little too well. To answer your question, last year, we were at the same conference, and things just…happened. When Brenner joined the firm, neither of us intended for a recurrence, but he got hurt and…” He shrugged and met my eyes tenderly. “I realized what I was feeling wasn’t merely concern for his health.” Facing Bill with an earnest, determined expression, Weston leaned forward. “I know you have concerns because we’re different. I come from money and a family withpolitical power. But because of that I’m very aware of how the game is played, and I promise I will do anything and everything I can to protect Brenner.”
The conversation about me was annoying. “Excuse me, but I’m a grown man who can take care of himself. I don’t need you to speak for me or protect me.”
“Hold up, kiddo. I get what he means.” Bill regarded Weston thoughtfully. “How do you plan to do that? Your father is a senator. He might be president. I’m sure he’s not happy about your relationship with Brenner.”
“My father only cares about his image. He’s been hiding his affairs with women for years.” Weston’s lip curled. “If he so much as tries anything to hurt Brenner, I’ll go to the press and tell them everything I know.”
