In the kitchen, I move around quietly, brewing coffee and making eggs and toast. I fix a plate for her and cover it with foil so it stays warm. The whole time, I’m smiling like a man who knows he’s got everything to lose and everything to fight for.
She doesn’t have to be at work early, so I’m letting her rest. She deserves that and more.
I grab my keys, glance around once more, and head out the door.
Today’s a big day for me, for Noah, for the business. If all goes well, it’ll be the beginning of something even bigger than I imagined.
We’re sitting around Austin’s conference table, dressed like we’re trying to impress a damn boardroom. Noah’s in his usual all-black, sharp as hell. I went with dark slacks and a forest green button-up that Eva said made my eyes pop. She didn’t need to say that twice.
Austin, of course, looks sharp as ever in one of his tailored suits, dark navy today, paired with a crisp white shirt and polished shoes. The guy always shows up looking like he walked out of an architecture magazine. Professional, confident, like he belongs at the head of any table he walks into. It’s a gift.
I wish I could say I’m relaxed, but my leg’s been bouncing under the table for the last ten minutes like it’s got a mind of its own. Austin and Noah are talking about grading permits, or insulation suppliers, I can’t even pretend to keep up. My brain’s stuck on the what-ifs. What if McNeal backs out? What if the contract isn’t ready? What if we’re not enough?
Then there’s a knock at the door.
Liza, Austin’s assistant, pokes her head in. “Mr. McNeal is here with his lawyer.”
We all stand.
Game time.
Hunter McNeal strides in first, tall and confident in a navy suit, smile easy and charismatic like always. “It’s great to see you guys,” he says, shaking hands with all three of us. “This is my lawyer, Brandon Lowe.”
And just like that, my stomach drops.
Standing next to him, in a charcoal suit and shiny shoes, isBrandon. The same Brandon who showed up at the coffee shop looking like a pretentious asshole. The same Brandon who used to date Eva. The same Brandon who tried to belittle her in front of me.
Well, fuck.
Noah stiffens beside me. He knows him too. Of course he does.
Brandon looks just as surprised to see us, but it vanishes behind that plastic smile of his. He steps forward like nothing’s wrong. “Hey, Noah,” he says casually, offering his hand.
Noah shakes it, but his face is tight. “Brandon.”
McNeal glances between them, his brow furrowing. “You guys know each other?”
Brandon grins like this is some cute coincidence. “Yeah. I dated Noah’s sister for a few years.”
McNeal tilts his head. “You have another sister besides Eva?”
Noah opens his mouth. “I do?—”
But Brandon cuts him off. “I dated Eva. We broke up recently.”
All the blood drains from my face. I don’t even need to look at Noah and Austin to know their reaction. It’s all over the room. The shift in energy. The unspoken questions.
McNeal looks visibly confused now. “Wait, that can’t be right. Eva’s engaged to Esteban, and they’ve been together for years.”
Brandon chuckles darkly. “Yeah, well, apparently timelines are flexible in this town.”
I step forward, voice low and firm. “I’m with Eva. We’re together.”
Brandon lifts a brow. “Yeah. You were very cozy yesterday at the coffee shop. Hard to miss.”
Noah turns to me slowly. His eyes don’t narrow. Don’t flare. But the weight behind
them is heavy as hell.
