Hope sniffled. “Yeah? Why?”
“It’s because you’re a good person, deep down inside. You don’t want to hurt anyone. You’re trying to help your sister and don’t want to ruin the wedding for the Albrights. But, most of all, I suspect, you don’t want to disillusion Brent.”
“This would kill him, Meredith. Break his heart. And I can’t—”
Meredith raised her chin with one hand. “So, then don’t.”
“You can’t imagine how conflicted I feel.”
“Actually,” Meredith said glumly. “I can.”
…
Brent opened his eyes, then squinted them shut as bright light poured in from the partially opened blinds on the window.
“Up and Adam, Adam Ant,” William said, uttering the expression their grandpa had used to rouse them during those childhood summer mornings when he and Brent had shared this room in the house.
Brent sat up partway, and his head throbbed when he gazed at William, who was surrounded in a sunny haze. “Darker, please.”
William chuckled and handed Brent a mug of coffee before striding to the window and tilting the blinds upward. “How much wine did you have at dinner, man?”
“Not a ton, but maybe too much.”
“It’s a good thing Derrick was our DD.”
“Yeah,” Brent replied. Derrick had only had that one drink, even if he’d had the harder stuff. He set his feet on the floor and took a swig of coffee, which made him feel slightly human again. That’s when he remembered it was his wedding day. A happy grin spread across his lips in spite of himself. “Thanks for the jo, bro,” he teased lightly.
“Is it helping?”
Brent nodded and took another long drag of the steaming java.
“Good.”
Brent took a moment to peruse the room, his eyes adjusting to the faint natural light. “It seems eons ago we were kids here.”
“It was eons ago.” William laughed and took a seat on the twin bed that used to be his. “Those were some good times, huh?”
Brent reflected on those carefree summers, when the most pressing things he had to do were build fires for clambakes and go sailing with his grandpa. “Yeah, when we were little it was cool. Back before we became teenagers and started getting those summer jobs. Then, college came along…”
“And life.” William sighed happily. “Not that life is bad now.”
Brent smiled. “From the looks of things, you and Sofia have got it pretty good.”
“It’s great being married,” William promised. “You’ll love it.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Brent checked his phone on the nightstand, seeing it was nearly nine o’clock. “ Eleanor will be arriving soon, and I need to shower and shave. Thanks for the wake-up call.”
“Someone had to do it,” William joked. “So we drew straws.”
“Shut up. I bet Derrick isn’t even here yet.”
“You’re right. He’s not.”
“I’m excited for you and Sofia,” Brent said. “About the baby.” William had confided in his brothers, dad, and grandpa during their card game because he’d never been able to pull off a poker face. Particularly about something so personal and important.
When Brent had guessed the truth, William had spilled. Later, Brent discovered that the ladies had learned the happy news from Sofia on the boat, so the whole family was abreast of the information and fully on William and Sofia’s side, emitting positive vibes.
“Thanks. We’re excited, too.”
“It’s going to go great,” Brent told him kindly. “You’ll see.”
William’s eyes sparkled. “Sofia and I have a request.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
“If things go as planned, and well… We’re hoping…” William took a deep breath and pressed ahead. “Hoping that you and Jackie can be our baby’s godparents.”
Brent’s eyes warmed. He’d never felt so honored. “That would be amazing.” He swallowed past the sore spot in his throat. “I’m sure Jackie would think so, too.”
“She’s a special woman,” William said. “You’re lucky to have her.” His smile sparkled. “Of course, that goes both ways.”
Brent laughed and drained the rest of his coffee. “Thanks. Yeah, I feel pretty lucky. Jackie’s so much more than I hoped for. I mean, she really makes me happy. Really gets me. You know? I didn’t think that it was possible for me to have what you and Sofia have. What Mom and Dad have. Even Grandpa and Grandmother.”
William wiggled his eyebrows. “Love works in mysterious ways.”
“Sure does.”
“I’m really sorry about her sister, though,” William said. “I can’t imagine how I might have felt if you or Derrick hadn’t made my and Sofia’s ceremony.”
“I know. The entire situation rots. I wish I’d met Hope earlier, but this thing with me and Jackie happened pretty fast.”
“Don’t I know it,” William said, but his tone was lighthearted. “All of us knew it.” Next, he confided quietly, “And, honestly? A few of us were concerned.”
“And now?”
William stood and swatted him on the shoulder. “Now I’m worried for Jackie.”
“Ha-ha.” Brent smirked at his brother, not minding the playful ribbing.
“You two will do just fine. Everyone loves her.” He chuckled. “She’s prettier than you.”
Brent set his mug down and lifted a pillow, preparing to lob it at William, who ducked behind the door.
“Bro.”
William peered back into the room.
“Have you got another minute?”
“Sure.” His brow creased. “What’s up?”
Brent waited while William took a seat on the other twin bed, then said, “We’ve never really talked about this Grandpa thing.”
“About Albright Enterprises, you mean?”
Brent nodded. “Yeah, that.”
“Look, Brent. I’m really cool with it. I’ve got my job, and it’s all good.”
“But did you want it?” Brent was ashamed he’d never asked.