Gavin gathered her in his arms and said, “Just breathe, babe. It’s okay.”
She concentrated on the air filling her lungs. Gavin’s loving embrace calmed her enough that she was able to take a step back from the brass rings flashing before her eyes long enough to see it more clearly.
“Are you okay, honey?” his mother asked.
She nodded and stepped from Gavin’s arms. “Yes, sorry. It’s a little overwhelming. I know how big a deal this is, and it could make me—us,” she said, looking from Gavin to Tegan and Jana, “a lot of money. But the thing is, it is a very big deal, and big deals aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.” She paced, unable to believe she was about to say what she felt and needing to just the same. “I know I don’t have all the details of his offer yet, but would you all think I’m crazy if I’m considering turning it down anyway? At least for now? I know I need capital, but what’s appealing to me about this project is not just bringing my stories to life in a new way, but also having creative control. The minute I take someone else’s money and divvy up percentages, it’s really divvying up control. And not only that.” She went to Tegan, who looked as unsure as Harper felt, and said, “If we do this at your amphitheater, bringing in a camera crew would turn Harvey’s vision into a circus. I don’t want that. Do you?”
Tegan shook her head, relief washing over her face. “I’m worried about how I’ll keep up anyway. It sounds exciting, though, and it could mean great things for you, so if you want to check out other venues, you should do it.”
“I don’t think I want to. I like the idea of doing this with friends.” She looked at Jana and said, “I guess we should talk about it. You might want this, Jana, and you’re the one who first mentioned that you and I should have gone into business together a long time ago. I don’t want to sound ungrateful.”
“Ungrateful?” Jana strode over to her with a determined look in her eyes. She put her hands on her hips and said, “You have never been ungrateful a day in your life. I’m just along for the ride on this, sis. All I did was make an off-the-cuff comment. This idea is all yours, and you have to do what makes you happy.”
Gavin took Harper’s hand and said, “If you choose not to do this, it’s not being ungrateful, Harper. It’s taking care of yourself, protecting your vision as an artist. Trusting your instincts.” He paused, and the importance of those words sank in. “I love that you’re thinking in those terms. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
“We all will,” Brock said, coming forward. “It feels good to hold the cards, doesn’t it, Harper? You have a media mogul coming to you, and I think that’s worth a toast.”
“Toast time!” Desiree said. She and Serena began handing out glasses.
Violet and Andre each picked up a bottle of wine. Violet said, “Hold up your glasses, party animals. Let’s get this party started.”
They filled everyone’s glasses, and then Brock said, “To Harper!”
“To Harper!” Everyone cheered and clinked glasses.
Harper was floating on cloud nine as they toasted her opportunity. She gazed into Gavin’s eyes, his love and support smiling back at her. She took his hand and held up her glass. “To Gavin. Not only is it his birthday, but without him I would probably still be writing crap and hating men. Happy birthday, my love, and thank you.”
Everyone cheered. “To Gavin!”
“Happy birthday to you,” Beckett began singing, and everyone else joined in to finish the song.
They feasted on too much cake and lots of laughter. Gavin’s parents shared funny stories about Gavin’s childhood birthday parties, which led to everyone else sharing their own funny stories.
It was a perfect evening, and after saying goodbye to their guests, Harper and Gavin sat with Beckett and their parents on the patio, chatting about how much his family liked their friends and Harper’s siblings. She never had anything like this with her parents. They didn’t like large gatherings or loud parties. She wished they’d been in town to meet Gavin’s parents, but she knew at some point they’d visit again, and then she would plan a nice, quiet dinner with all of them.
Gavin’s mother yawned and said, “I’m afraid I’m beat, my lovelies. It’s been a long day.”
“I can’t believe it’s ten already,” his father said.
“Let’s get this stuff put away and give the kids some time without us old folks bothering them.” His mother pushed to her feet, and they all followed suit.
“You’re not a bother. I’m so glad you were able to come and meet everyone,” Harper said as they started clearing the table.
Gavin’s father snagged a cookie from the tray and said, “I can’t believe Gavin found a woman who can make everything cookies better than Nana.” He took a bite of the cookie.
“I can’t believe he found a woman at all,” Beckett said with a smirk.
Gavin lunged toward him, and Beckett took off running with Gavin on his heels.
Harper laughed. “I guess boys will be boys.”
“They’ve always been close,” his mother said as they carried dishes into the house.
“There’s nothing quite like brothers,” his father said. “You seem close with your siblings.”
“We are. Do you think it would be a mistake to pass up an opportunity like Trey is offering? Whatever Ethan touches turns to gold, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have partnered with Trey if he wasn’t the same way. It could mean a lot of money.”
Gavin’s father nodded. “It sure could, but Beckett is right. Investors usually hold the strings, so you’re smart to think it through carefully.”
She set the dishes she was carrying in the sink, and Gavin’s mother did the same.
“There was a time I thought Beckett and Gavin might go into business together,” his father said. “But Gavin veered toward his creative outlets, and Beckett embraced finance.”
“Jackass!” Gavin’s voice floated in through the open patio doors, followed by a loud oomph.
“Someone got tackled,” his mother said as her husband came to her side.
“Remember when they were little and they’d race through the house like wild banshees?” His father’s expression warmed.
“This might seem like a funny thing to say, but thank you for raising Gavin to be such a gentleman. He’s kind and smart, and he’s a really good man. He told me about the rift that Corinne caused and how embarrassed he was to have stuck by her side when you guys clearly saw something he didn’t. As strange as this might seem, because ignoring your family’s advice is probably not the best thing to do, I think it says a lot about him that he stuck with her. And that says something about the way you raised him. I know he feels guilty about all the years he wasn’t there. But I also know how much he loves you, and I want you to know I’d never try to drive a wedge between him and his family.”
His mother got teary-eyed and embraced her. “Oh, honey. We know you won’t, and thank you. We’re very proud of the two men we raised.”
“And it’s awfully quiet out there,” his father said. “I think we’d better get out there and make sure they didn’t kill each other.”