And love.
She slid her arms around his neck, closing any distance between them. Lowering his head, kissing her came as naturally as breathing. She eagerly returned his kiss, until she pulled away and put a small space between them.
“I don’t want to leave, but I have to.” Regret lingered in her tone.
“Me either.” He kissed her cheek, unable to resist one last bit of contact. “The wedding. I’ll see you at the wedding.”
He watched her leave, and then finished getting ready. Taking his time, he didn’t care if he was late. The last place he wanted to be was at the attorney’s office, listening to his father’s will.
Trey didn’t expect any surprises during the reading of Thomas Kaplan’s last will and testament. His father had discussed his wishes for the company with him during those last weeks and had asked Trey if he wished to take over. Thomas didn’t want to burden his son with a company if he didn’t want it, more proof that he had changed.
Kaplan Enterprises belonged to Trey now. He’d assured his father that he loved the business and would gladly take over, but he also promised he’d maintain a work-life balance. That wouldn’t be a problem with Alexis. Why would he ignore her for the sake of work when she invigorated him, complemented him, breathed inspiration into him?
With his takeover of Kaplan Enterprises, he’d also become a wealthy man. The media had reached out to him, requesting interviews and statements, and he’d ignored them all. How dare they intrude on his grief. He’d give all the money back if it gave him more time with his father.
Unwillingly, he picked up his pace. He didn’t care if he made it to the lawyer’s office on time, but there were other people waiting as well. They didn’t deserve his delay and rudeness because he didn’t want to hear more evidence that his father was gone.
When he reached the office, a slim lady dressed in a burgundy suit led him to a conference room. Mitchell Abbot, his father’s personal attorney, greeted him. “I’m so sorry for your father’s loss.”
“Thank you.” He accepted the condolence and sat down.
Norris smiled at him from across the room. Trey’s first act as president of Kaplan Enterprises had been to promote Norris to Vice-President. The man had maintained loyalty to his father through many years of service and knew the company inside and out. There would be other shifts and changes throughout the company, all positive, but those would come in time.
Mitchell began reading the will. As Trey suspected, there were few surprises. Most of them came in the form of the generous amounts of money left to his most loyal employees, along with a bonus for every current employee, from corporate to the store level. The thoughtfulness touched Trey’s heart. The employees deserved it for their hard work, and he was sure they’d be shocked. Few knew how Thomas had changed during his last months on earth.
The final surprise came in the form of a ten-million-dollar donation to Hope House. Gasps circled the room, including one from Trey. He looked up to the heavens, and smiling, shook his head. “Thank you, Dad.”
At first, he wondered why a Hope House agent hadn’t been invited to hear the good news, and then he remembered that he was a representative. He couldn’t wait to tell the board, and especially Alexis. His fingers itched to call her, but this was best delivered in person.
As soon as possible, he excused himself from the Mitchell’s office, and drove to Maple Park, where Ryan and Tynley would marry. He pulled into the parking area and looked across the way to the eighteenth-century church that was on the registry of historical buildings. From what Alexis had told him, this had always been one of Tynley’s favorite spots. He could see why.
It was especially charming at this time of year, when the last of the changing leaves still clung to their branches, leaving a pop of color among the drab branches. Gazebos dotted the park, offering shaded areas for a break from the sun or a private conversation. A peaceful lake lined the far perimeter, and a family with young children fed the ducks.
Activity at the pavilion caught his attention. The caterers performed last minute tasks in preparation for the reception, and Trey spotted Alexis. His breath caught in his lungs. She was always beautiful, but today—he didn’t have words. Her hair was loosely pulled back at the sides and pinned with clips that caught the soft rays of the afternoon sun. The cranberry bridesmaid dress she wore accentuated her complexion, and she was nothing short of stunning.
He slipped out of his vehicle and walked in her direction.
She spotted him and ran his way. “You made it earlier than I expected.”
“The lawyer was still talking to people and answering questions, but I did what I had to do, then got out of there.” He glanced at her bare feet, amused at her ability to run across bare pine needles and pebbles without shoes and not give it a second thought.
“Don’t judge. Those shoes were killing my feet, but they were the only ones I could find that matched on short notice. I’ll put them back on for the ceremony.”
“Whatever makes you happy.” He slid an arm around her waist. “Can you talk, or do you have to be somewhere?”
“I need to get back in to Tynley, but I have a few minutes.”
He led her to one of the gazebos, careful to watch the path for any object that could potentially hurt her feet.
“How did the reading go,” she asked, sitting on the interior bench.
“As expected for the most part.” He couldn’t hold back his smile. “But a few clauses surprised me.”
“I’m assuming in a good way since you’re smiling?”
“Very good.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m happy, for your sake, that it’s over with. I know you weren’t looking forward to the event.”
