Kate The following Friday, we landed in upstate New York as husband and wife. I still wasn’t used to thinking about us like that. Honestly, it was crazy. It had been less than a week, but somehow, we’d already settled into a domestic routine, spending early mornings tangled together in the sheets, long days at the office, me filling in for Nate as CFO—for reasons still unknown to me—and then, we always had dinner together in the evenings. Marital bliss, but for busy people. Heavy on the busy. The jet engines wound down, the cabin settling into silence. Nate stood, offering me a hand like I might need help standing, but I took it anyway, just because I could. “Are you ready?” he asked. “No,” I said cheerfully. “But that doesn’t really matter, does it? My parents are waiting for us either way.” He smirked. “At least we already know your dad likes me.” “My dad likes the idea of you and the opportunity you offered.” He thought it over for a beat before he shrugged. “I’ll take it.” I sighed and followed him to the door, desperately trying to brace myself for the night ahead. I hadn’t seen my parents since I’d left them in that diner, but with Nate by my side, I felt steadier than I expected, st epping onto the tarmac. The late afternoon air was crisp and cool. My parents were already waiting near the car, my mother looking nervous but composed while my father was practically vibrating. “Kate!” Mom called, opening her arms. I hugged her quickly before turning to Dad, who pulled me into a tighter squeeze than usual, murmuring against my hair. “Good flight?” “Yeah, it was great,” I said. “I’m sure you remember Nate?” “Of course, I remember.” Dad released me and turned immediately, like he’d been waiting for permission. He beamed as he stuck out his hand. “It’s good to see you again, son.” Nate shook with him, polite but definitely still apprehensive. I didn’t blame him. My parents had sat there at that breakfast with us at Westwood Manor and neither of them had said a word about the deal being put together behind the scenes. “Sir.” “None of that,” Dad said warmly. “You’re family now.” Nate smiled, but it was tight. “Yes, sir.” He turned his head toward me and I had to bite back a laugh as we exchanged a glance. They were both acting like they’d had nothing to do with it that we we’d been forced into this. Like they’d simply sw ept that whole business under the rug and decided
everything was fine. It wasn’t. At some point in the future, I was going to sit them down and talk to them about what it felt like to be betrayed on that scale. By my very own parents. That wasn’t what today was about, though. Meanwhile, Dad clapped Nate on the shoulder like they’d known each other for years. “Welcome to the family, Nathaniel. I’m serious. We’re happy to have you.” “Thank you,” Nate said, considerably less warm than Dad but not rude at all. “I’m glad to be here.” Technically, that was true. Just not in the way Dad had meant it. Nate and I were both happy to be in New York because it meant we were putting the Hinds’ acquisition to bed. Hopefully after that, we’d finally be able to breathe and spend some more time figuring ourselves out. “No hotel for you two this evening,” Dad said as he gestured toward the car. “Abram has invited us all to stay at the estate.” “We told him it wasn’t necessary,” Mom said. “He insisted anyway. It’ll be a nice little break, though. Don’t you think?” When I realized she was talking to me, I shrugged. “Yeah. It’ll be fine. Abram’s place is nice.” Nate opened the back door of Dad’s SUV for me and st epped aside, catching my eyes. “You’ve been there before?” “Once or twice,” I said. “It’s nice if you like sprawling estates and feng shui.” Dad either didn’t hear me or chose not to as he got in behind the wheel. “You’ll love it, son. Abram’s estate is one of the best in the country. Wide- open spaces, only the best scotch, and a sunset like you won’t believe.” When Dad glanced at Nate in the rearview mirror, Nate nodded but didn’t say anything. He reached for my hand instead. My heart skipped when he wrapped his fingers around it so naturally. It was almost like he was doing it without any thought at all. His thumb brushed gently against the side of my palm, sending warm feelings through me. Dad launched in almost as soon as the engine was running, twisting in his seat to glance at Nate before he put the car in gear. “How’s it going, filling in as the CEO for your brother while he’s out?” I leaned forward a little. “You knew about that?” “Of course,” he said. “Kate has been a lifesaver,” Nate answered smoothly, deftly making me the subject instead of himself. “I don’t
know what we would’ve done without her.” “I’m sure she’s been indispensable,” Dad said, sounding de eply satisfied. “You’ll have to tell me how you’re structuring things, Katie. Temporary support roles can get messy.” “Between Kate, Will, and me, we have it well in hand,” Nate r eplied, curt and confident but still with that polished edge of politeness. “Alex is supremely organized, so I’ve been able to stand in for him relatively seamlessly and Kate instinctively understands the way I do things, which means she rarely even has to come to me. There’s been no mess.” “Well,” Dad said slowly. “That’s surprising. I thought for sure that you kids would need some help. You know, if Alex had just asked, I would’ve been happy to st ep in. It’s often better to—” “I’m sure Douglas would’ve been happy to st ep in himself if he thought we needed help,” I interrupted pointedly. “Harlan might’ve intervened as well, but we don’t need help. We’re fine.” He waved a hand. “I’m just talking, honey.” I sank back into my seat. “You’re making it sound like we’re children.” Nate coughed into his hand, very obviously—to me, anyway—hiding a smile. Dad grinned at him, shaking off my comment like I hadn’t spoken at all. “I always hoped Katie would find someone solid. Someone who has a good head on his shoulders and who is strong enough to be her partner in life.” “I’m right here,” I muttered. Dad, however, was only focused on my husband. “You seem like exactly that man, Nate. Steady, smart, and strong.” Nate glanced over at me briefly. “I try to be.” “I can see that.” Dad nodded, as if he’d been around us for weeks and had seen all the little things Nate did for me. “You take care of her now.” “I do,” Nate r eplied simply. “And I will.” “Of course.” Dad grinned again, seriously acting like Nate was the second coming. “Tell me, Nate. In your business, where do you see yourself in five years?” I groaned. “You’re interviewing my husband, Daddy, but we’re already married. It’s too late.” “I’m talking to him.” “You’re vetting him.” “I’ve already approved him,” Dad said. Nate finally lost the battle and laughed. I met his gaze and pointed at my father’s back. “You see? Do you see now what I’ve been dealing with my entire life?” Dad smiled, utterly unapologetic. “You’re my only child. I’ve had to be careful.”
And there it was, the truth hiding under the performance he was putting on. After all these years, he finally had the son he’d always wanted. He’d never said it outright, of course, and I knew he loved me, truly, but Mom had let it slip one night when she’d had one chardonnay too many that Dad had begged her to try for a boy. Despite doing everything their power, it had never happened for them. So his excitement today made sense. His warmth and enthusiasm, the suspiciously cheerful mood. All of it was because he now had a son, albeit in-law. Dad k ept talking, already launching into something about the estate and weekend plans, practically glowing. I finally leaned back in my seat again and left him to it, trusting Nate to handle Dad’s enthusiasm without breaking too much of a sweat. By the time we drove through the wrought-iron gates and started up the long drive to Abram’s place, the sun was dipping low enough to paint everything gold. The estate stretched out in front of us in swe eping views of manicured hedges, wide lawns, and the kind of symmetry that required a full-time staff. Nate didn’t even blink, but I supposed if you grew up in the kind of house he had and visiting the Westwood compound out in California— which had been the subject of enough lifestyle spreads that I felt like I’d visited even though I hadn’t—then this was just another house. The car rolled to a stop out front, and before any of us had even opened our doors, Abram burst out of the house and grinned when he reached the front stairs. He spread his arms open wide, jogging down the st eps to greet us. “Kate,” he said as I st epped out. “It’s so good to see you, honey.” “You too,” I said, but I didn’t really know if I meant it right now. Abram and I needed to talk too, but again, this wasn’t the right time, so I just gave him a quick hug. When I let go of him, his attention immediately shifted to Nate. “Congratulations, son,” he said, shaking his hand so vigorously it was almost like he’d just bought a prize mare at a state fair. Nate took it in stride, st epping closer to my side and sliding his free hand around my shoulders. “Thank you, and thank you for inviting us to stay. You have a beautiful home.” Hinds inclined his chin in acknowledgment, looking between us with obvious satisfaction. The kind that could only come from getting exactly what you’d wanted, no matter what kind of hoops other people had to jump through for you to get it. But he really had gotten everything he wanted.
The sale was happening. The contracts were locked in so tight, they might as well have been written in blood. Nate and I were married and even the government watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission, had reviewed the agreement, signing off without issue. Everything was approved and ready. After months of maneuvering and negotiating, stress and secrets, it had all come down to a quiet evening in a big house upstate. It was ridiculous. Abram had finally moved on from us though, greeting Mom and Dad with big hugs and magnanimous laughter. Then he sw ept a hand out toward the house. “Come on in. Dinner will be served shortly. What can we offer you to drink?” As if by magic, a server appeared as we walked through the wide, double front doors, taking everyone’s murmured orders before he disappeared again. Abram led us straight through to the dining room, where Nate sat down beside me. His knee brushed mine under the table every now and then like he was just reassuring himself that I was still there. Dad and Abram talked through most of the meal, often pulling Nate into the conversation too. He handled it effortlessly, confident without being arrogant and thoughtful without sounding rehearsed. I watched the two older men, knowing exactly what they were seeing. Reliability. Stability. Legacy. Everything they’d wanted for me tied neatly into one very capable package. I couldn’t argue with any of that, but I still hadn’t quite forgiven them for the way they’d gone about it. At one point, Nate glanced at me, catching me staring, and he leaned over immediately. “What’s up?” “Nothing,” I said, but I couldn’t fight the smile that curved on my lips. He arched an eyebrow at me, quiet laughter twinkling in his eyes. “Right. We’ll talk about it later.” I nodded and went back to my food, aware that my mother seemed to be waiting for me to talk to her, but I wasn’t quite ready for that yet either. Nate and I were here, but we’d come for the deal, and frankly, just being present was about the best I could do right now. Honestly, we’d been so busy that I hadn’t worked out what I wanted to say to her yet, so I let the men carry the conversation. Everything was friendly and pretty normal for it being a dinner between my dad and Abram, but after the plates were cleared, the mood quickly went from light to professional. Paperwork appeared like magic. Pens were produced. Eyeglasses were slid on and drinks glasses were refilled but sat untouched for the moment.
“Alright, gentlemen,” Abram said, looking at Nate first. “Let’s get this done.” Nate nodded, deftly picking up the pen he’d been offered and signing for Alex without hesitation, his expression calm but focused. He didn’t even reread the documents, having gone over them meticulously one last time on the flight over. Dad signed next, then Abram, each of them leaning over the same table like this was some kind of ritual. Maybe it was. I didn’t know anymore. All I knew was that I’d gotten a husband out of this deal and I wasn’t as mad about it anymore as I probably should’ve been. Mom st epped back and lifted her phone while they flipped through to initial every page. “Hold still,” she said. All three of them looked up at the sound of her voice and her phone clicked, capturing the moment forever. Then, just like that, it was done. Westwood and Sons were the new owner of Hinds Global. Dad clapped Nate on the back as he stood. “Well, now that it’s done, we should celebrate.” Abram shook with both Dad and Nate, then tipped his head toward the terrace. “Cigars?” Nate looked at me, his expression resigned before he turned back to them. “Sure. Why not?” Dad immediately looped an arm around his shoulders. “Excellent. Let’s go, son. Abram’s cigars are unlike anything you’ve ever had.” They dragged Nate away into whatever strange, cigar-smoking, bonding ritual men apparently performed when deals closed and daughters got married. I watched them go, equal parts amused and frustrated about being left out, but then Mom appeared beside me. “Well, they seem happy,” she said quietly. I turned to face her, seeing that careful expression on her features she always wore when she was afraid of saying the wrong thing. Realizing this meant she and I were now going to have some time alone, I shrugged, responding more to buy myself time to think than because I actually had something to say about her comment. “They should be. They’ve all just made a whole lot of money and everyone got the best part of the deal for their own future. If that didn’t make them happy, I’m not sure what would’ve.”
She nodded slowly. “I suppose you’re right. I’m glad they’ve gone off to do their manly things now, though. It gives you and me a moment to talk.” I swallowed hard. “So talk.” Mom’s eyes, so like my own, drifted from one of mine to the other. There was a hesitance in her gaze I didn’t think I’d ever seen there before. “Thank you for being here, darling. I realize you could’ve sent Nate to come and sign the paperwork without you.” “It was my deal too,” I reminded her quietly. “I worked too hard on it not to see it through all the way to the end.” “Right, well, I wasn’t sure if you’d ever forgive us. I’m still not sure you have, but it means a lot that you didn’t avoid seeing it through just so you wouldn’t have to spend time with us.” The words hung between us for a moment, softly spoken and painfully honest. Hurt twisted in my chest when I thought back to that day in the diner. The day they’d taken my agency away and had acted like it was nothing more than my duty unless I wanted to be personally responsible for our downfall. That day, I truly hadn’t known if I ever would forgive them, but I also hadn’t known that the man I’d be marrying was the one I was in love with anyhow. Back then, I’d honestly thought they were making me sacrifice CB, my one true love, even if they didn’t know it. Things were different now, and as I looked into her eyes, seeing worry and tears shimmering in them, I realized it was time to let her off the hook. I hated what they’d done. Sure. There was no es caping that, but I understood where they’d come from, and in the end, I hadn’t sacrificed nearly as much as I’d thought I would have to. I smiled, even as my eyes stung with unshed tears of my own. “I’ve been in love with Nate for a long time. It just took me a minute to realize it. It’s okay, Mom. I can’t say we’re all good, but I know we’ll get there. I promise.” Her eyebrows sw ept up. Relief bloomed across her face so quickly it almost hurt to see. “Oh, sweetheart. That’s the best news I’ve heard in a very long time. When did this happen, though? You’re in love with him?” I nodded. “It’s complicated, but in a weird, slightly deranged way, this was a love match. No matter how we got into it.” Mom reached for my hand, squeezing it tight, and the sound of Nate’s laughter carried faintly through the open doors from the terrace. I glanced in that direction, but then I pulled my mom into a long overdue hug.
None of this had been simple and yet, right now, it felt right. I still wasn’t sure if the ends had justified the means, to be fair, but I’d meant what I said to her. I did want to try. All three of them, her, Dad, and even Abram, had had good intentions going into this. The road to hell might be paved with those, but the path I was on because of them felt different. Like maybe it was leading me to exactly where I was always meant to be.