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"Boys, this is nerve-racking," she said as she sat down between me and Duncan. Dad sat next to Knox. "What's wrong? How can we help?"
My intuition had been spot-on.
"Damn," Knox exclaimed. "That's not how I thought this was going to work. Mom, Dad, nothing's wrong. Chase has a surprise for you."
"Wehave a surprise for you," I corrected.
"Technically, Chase does. He won't take the credit, but it's all his doing," Knox went on. "We only found out this past week."
Mom turned to me, smiling. "Oh, darling. Are you finally getting married?"
I stared at her. "Why would you assume that's why I asked you here?"
"I don't know. You said it's a surprise. That would shock the socks off me."
"Susan," Dad said, but it wasn’t his usual exasperated tone. “He would've told us if he was seeing somebody. It must be something else. Son, what is it?"
"I'll make this short," I said. "I bought back your store."
Mom gasped.
"What do you mean?" Dad asked.
"It's been on the market for a few months," I explained.
"I know. I've seen it," Mom said. She glanced briefly at Dad and then back at me. "But why would you buy it back?"
"I figured you two would be happy about it. I know how much it means to you."
"It does," Mom whispered.
"Son, you really didn't have to spend your money on us," Dad said.
"Dad, let me tell you a secret." Knox leaned over the chair to Dad. "He's loaded, okay? He can totally foot the bill."
"This is wonderful," Mom exclaimed. "Thank you so much." She and Dad were both beaming. They were far more civil with each other than I expected. This was going great.
"I already have the key." I reached into my pocket and slid it over the table to Mom because she was nearest.
“That was fast," she said. "I figured.... Never mind." She looked at the key as if she couldn't believe it, then up at Dad. To my astonishment, she had tears in her eyes.
Bewildered, I glanced at Duncan, who just shrugged. I peeked at the rest of my brothers. Griffin cocked a brow. Wyatt was staring at Knox and Finn as if expecting them to have an explanation.
"I can't believe it. How did you even know it was on the market?" Dad asked.
"I kept looking from time to time, and my assistant showed it to me. The owner needed some convincing."
"Our newest employee, Hannah, made some good points that apparently won him over when she and Chase took him to dinner," Knox said.
Why the hell does he like to stir up trouble?
Mom immediately turned to look at me. "Hannah?"
I frowned, looking at Mom. "I met her at Josh and Blair's wedding. She's Blair's sister."
Mom's face exploded into a smile as she pointed at me. "Wait, is this the same Hannah who Jeremy talked to us about?" she asked.
"Yes," Duncan answered.