Grace burrows closer into my side, attempting to get a better look. “What is it?”
Thankyou for not only an amazing weekend with my son,
but memories that will last a lifetime.
Allen and Benjamin Banks
An audible gaspescapes as I run my finger over my father’s handwriting. “How?” I have to look away, blinking rapidly to stave off the tears.
“I remember your father. You look just like him.”
My heart clenches. “Yes. My mother tells me that often.”
Milton continues, “When he brought you and your mother here, he spent every waking moment by the water with you. I recall talking to Patricia about it over coffee at the end of the summer. Later that weekend I found his obituary in the paper.”
My face falls. “Yes. He had pancreatic cancer. My mother says it was very aggressive. I was five when he died.”
Milton returns his large hand to my shoulder. “He’d be so proud of you, Ben.”
Unable to help myself, I pull Milton in for a hug. How had this dream of starting my own business brought my father back into my life? “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“You’re welcome. I’m thrilled to have been a part of your history, and your future. If you ever need me, I’m only a call away.”
“Thank you.”
The doors open behind us and I hear Grace gasp as her grip tightens around my arm. Hell, what now? I’m not sure my emotions can handle much more.
A blonde approaches, her arm wrapped around who I can only imagine is her significant other. “Hi. I heard about the grand opening and we wanted to see if you had any rooms—” She stops talking mid-sentence.
I follow her gaze to Grace who is staring at her wide eyed. “Hi, Tiffani.”
“Grace,” she drawls. “What on earth are you doing here?” Tiffani straightens as a smirk curls one corner of her brightly tinted lips. “Found a housekeeping job, I take it?”
“No,” Grace blurts.
“Ah, so you work the desk.”
I wrap my arm around my wife. “She owns the desk. The whole damn resort, actually.” Kissing Grace on the temple, I turn back to this woman I can only imagine is no friend. “We’re booked solid, but I’m sure once the ribbon cutting is complete, someone will be glad to give you a tour ofourproperty.”
I squeeze my wife a little harder as the blonde twit stares back at her in shock.
“Come on, Gracie. You have a ribbon to cut.” Escorting my beautiful girl out the front doors, my eyes widen as I see that now all of the men from the billionaire boys club have gathered next to the ceremonial yellow ribbon. Broadie, Devon, Gianni, Becket, Bedrock, and Max all start to clap as we approach.
“Shit, guys. I can’t believe you’re all here.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Broadie says.
“You’re going to get sick of seeing me here.” Max snorts.
My eyes become misty again.What the hell?This day has wrecked me and we haven’t even opened for business yet.
Gianni steps closer and reaches out a hand to Grace. “Mrs. Banks, I presume.”
“Yes.” She grins up at him. I pull her a little closer. The guy is a little too attractive to be smiling at her like that.
“I’m Gianni. It’s nice to finally meet you.” He reaches into his black suit jacket and retrieves an envelope, handing it over to her.
“What’s this?”
