“What’s up, Ty?”
“Jenn.” I massage my temples. “We need to put an end to this one-sided feud. I’ve had it. That girl out there” —I point— “is incredibly important to me. And minus your hostility, I am having a hell of a time getting her to open up to me. I brought her here because I thought it was a safe place. I thought if I surrounded her with good people, she would relax and hopefully start letting me in. But you constantly reminding her how much you hate me isn't helping my case. I know I fucked up in your eyes. I have apologized tirelessly. Done everything in my power to make good. I sold Chase and Shane a multi-million dollar building for a dollar because they love you and wanted to give you the restaurant of your dreams. They are two of the most important people in my life, and I want to add Simone to that short list. Can we just make amends for everyone’s sake already?”
Jenn is stone silent, staring at me like I have seven heads. Her silence only feeds my frustration. I am never going to get anywhere with her.
“Jenn?” I urge.
“You sold this building to Shane and Chase for a dollar?”
I just spewed my heart out, and that’s what she took away?
“Yes. Of course. I would do anything for them. My father wasn't too happy,” I tack on. “He nearly decapitated me when he found out I sold a premium storefront for a peanut. I still hear about it. We lost out on several million dollars, but I did what I thought was right. I also wanted to keep my two best employees—and friends—because when it comes to you, I never know what they're capable of. What decisions they’re capable of making. You make them rational and irrational all at the same time.”
Jenn blinks rapidly as she absorbs all this new eye-opening information.
“I'm going to kill them for not telling me,” she seethes.
“And I'm sure that’s exactly why they didn't tell you, to avoid that exact statement. And technically, the building is yours because they put the deed in your name.”
“Holy fuck. I thought they just leased the building from you. That’s what they told me.” She grips the edge of the metal table and takes a few deep breaths.
“Maybe they were going to surprise you.” I just fucked up that wedding present but oh, well. Burying the hatchet with Jenn is way more important at the moment.
“I didn’t think you were capable of doing something so selfless, Ty.” She lifts her blue eyes to mine.
“You don’t know me very well.”
“You were a complete asshole when we first met.”
“I was conducting business. It was a completely different dynamic.”
“I lost a lot that day,” Jenn confesses, dropping her gaze sorrowfully. I didn’t know her well back then. Her property was just another acquisition I needed to make. I never took into consideration the emotional attachments that went along with the rickety restaurant.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but I do now. And I know you lost a lot, but look at how much you’ve gained.” I motion to the room we’re standing in. State-of-the-art kitchen, full wait staff, a packed restaurant that’s five-star rated, and two men who love her irrationally. I didn’t understand it at first, but after Simone, I do now. I understand that hunger to love, that dire need to defend, and the fierce fixation to protect.
Jenn means everything to Shane and Chase, and Simone means everything to me.
“I have gained a lot,” she agrees, lifting her eyes to meet mine once again, the corners of her lips turning upward.
“So, what do you say? Truce?” I stick out my hand. Jenn stares down at it with a torn expression. She takes a deep, cleansing breath then places her small hand in mine. After that she does something that tilts my world on its axis. She pulls me into a hug. I tense unexpectedly at first, but quickly relax and wrap my arms around her and squeeze. Holy fuck, is this really happening right now?
“Jenn?”
“Mmm?” She lets go and steps back, brushing some blonde hair out of her face.
“Did you spit in my soup?”
The entire kitchen staff laughs. They witnessed the whole display.
“No. Shane wouldn’t let me.” She crosses her arms, good vibes passing between us.
“He’s getting a raise.”
“I'm sure he’ll appreciate that. I know I will.” She smiles cheekily.
“I'm glad we could finally come to an understanding.”
“Yeah, I guess. You’re not going to make me hug you again, are you?” Now Jenn’s just fucking with me.
