“Heath?”
“Yeah.”
Her smile was warm, genuine, and that was a side of her he hadn’t seen in a long time. “He’s very cute.”
“You know that he and Chris…”
“I do, and I’ve given him hell for years over how he treated Heath.”
Evan let that settle into his brain. Heath—and his brother.
“It was only ever a kiss, Evan. Chris just doesn’t feel that way about him.”
“Then why not tell him that? Why string him along for years?”
“Because he’s also fucked up. I know your personal hatred for your father blinds you to everyone else’s experience, but he’s put Chris through hell too.”
“Yes, inheriting a Fortune 500 company is a terrible burden.”
“It actually is, and I think you know that. I think you also know that while you’ve been under one thumb, he’s been under the other.”
“I haven’t made it to the forgiveness part of therapy yet.”
She snorted, a sound so very her that it broke the ice queen mirage. “Let me give you some talking points, then. Imagine being your father’s firstborn, the heir to the Westin dynasty. Think about what that entails.”
Evan gave her his thinking face, secretly loathing that she was making a valid point.
“Your father is on Chris’ ass all day, every day. He’s calling, emailing, texting at all hours. I finally sent him a cease and desist and threatened legal action if he didn’t let my husband sleep a full eight hours.”
Her husband. That had once been the role he’d intended to play. Now, the very thought of where he’d be and what he’d have missed out on was debilitating.
“He could quit.”
Another snort, this time with an eye roll. “He’s not an idiot, Evan. He also has plans for when your father is no longer in the way.”
“Should you be telling me this?”
“Let me rephrase. When your father passes from entirely natural causes, Chris wants to take the business in a new direction. He’s already making the necessary connections and moving assets in increments Charles hasn’t caught on to. Technically, your dad has passed him the torch, but he could still pitch a fit if he figures it out.”
“Again, should you be telling me this?”
She shrugged. “Chris would tell you himself if you’d let him.”
“How would you feel about that?”
“About what? You two having an actual relationship? I’d be thrilled. He looks up to you and has been trying to catch your attention for years.”
“Looks up to… What are you playing at?”
“Again, blind. You have always stood up to your father. Yes, you played his game, but you were a thorn in his side while doing it. I think even your father admires that about you.”
“You’re not gonna sell me on a relationship with him, so don’t even try.”
“I wouldn’t, nor would I want you to. The man is small and bitter for no good reason.”
“So what’s the story? Did my brother knock you over the head and drag you to Vegas the morning of our wedding?”
“Not exactly, but it was very Hollywood.”
