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“She’s mad that I took your side.”He pushed off the car, walking toward us.“I told her I have a knack for reading people, and you, Ben Wright—or should I say BenGolde—doesn’t come off as a guy looking to screw people over.”
“I’m not usually, but I did fuck up, and I own it.I’ll make this right, I swear.”
“I believe you,” Wyatt said, but pointed to Rose.“This one, on the other hand.”
“Your father is the man trying to take down our family legacy.”
“And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen, even if I take my father down in the process.”
“Does he mean that?”Rose turned to Wyatt, and Wyatt eyed me, tilting his head and tapping his chin.
“He does.”
“How can you tell?”
Wyatt shrugged.“I’ve been where he is.Maybe not with a father who was two steps away from being a crime boss, but I know what it’s like to want to be better than the man who raised you.To build something of your own.And to want that more than ever after falling in love with a Grasso.”
“If I have to burn every bridge that connects me to him, I will.”I swallowed at the emotion that suddenly lodged in my throat.“I’ve got nothing left to lose except for her, and I might’ve already lost that.”
Rose studied me, arms still crossed over her chest.“You have a long road ahead of you.She won’t make it easy, and neither will I.”
I nodded.“I don’t want easy.I don’t deserve that.I just want the chance to prove I’m capable of being a man worthy of Sherry, and a man your family can rely on.”
“Then show up.Do the work and don’t mess up again.If you do, I’ll have Lainey make a voodoo cake of your face.”
“A voodoo cake?”
Wyatt winced and shook his head.“Don’t ask.Just don’t screw up.”
I took the warning and headed down the stairs.
“Hey, Ben?”Wyatt called after me.I stopped and turned.“I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
Relief flooded through me.Wyatt was willing to give me a second chance, and Rose was… kind of.
Now I just had to earn the trust from who really mattered.
There was only one way to do that.
I hopped in my truck and reversed onto the road.Ten minutes or so later, I whipped into Robin’s Landing and pulled into my parking spot.I got out of my truck and hurried toward my door.
“Oh, Ben, sweetie!”Odette’s voice rang out across the parking lot.
I tried to pretend I didn’t hear her, but she called my name again and again.
I glanced toward her, and she barreled at me in a highlighter green matching set with seashells embroidered on it.I couldn’t miss her if my eyes were closed.She stopped in front of me, hand on her thigh as she gasped for breath.She held her finger up to give her a second, and I exhaled, not wanting to be rude, but wanting to get into my place.
She smiled, hot pink lipstick on her teeth.“Did you not hear me?”she asked.“You made this old broad jog.The last time I jogged was nineteen-ninety-seven at the Lilith Fair when I thought I was going to miss Tracy Chapman’s performance.See, she was on the main stage, and I was all the way by the—”
“Odette,” I cut in.“Is there a reason you chased me down?”
Odette straightened.“Yes, sorry.I got sidetracked.First… There is a board meeting coming up, and I wanted to see if you would come.”
“I already told you board meetings aren’t my thing.”
“I keep hoping you’ll change your mind.Second…” She held up two fingers.“We’re having a get-together in the clubhouse next Saturday.We’re going to have a nice charcuterie board and some wine and whiskey.I hope I’ll see you there.”
“Maybe,” I said, knowing damn well if I said no, she wouldn’t let me leave.“Anything else?”