Should’ve Known It’s You (Not You Again #7)

Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

KENNEDY

T he rest of the evening went beautifully. Dinner went off without a hitch, and everyone raved about the steaks Arnold the butcher had brought with him. In turn, he gave his compliments to the chef, who had to come out and take a bow.

It was exactly what I was hoping this place would be, a community where everyone felt at home and like they were part of the family. After dinner, I clinked my glass with a spoon again, cleared my throat, and stepped up behind the microphone.

“Before dessert, Austin and I would like to invite everyone who hasn’t done so yet to explore this beautiful mansion to your heart’s content. Upstairs are guest rooms and more bathrooms, as well as a lounge and a TV room. If everything goes well, I hope to turn this place into the heart of your community, a restaurant and hotel where people will come for special occasions but also just for dinner after a long day or a cup of coffee when they need to talk. Even if that doesn’t happen though, we’re so proud and so happy to be able to share it with you tonight.”

Applause burst out as I stepped off the stage, and I watched with rapt attention as they took us up on our offer. Austin stood beside me, an unwavering pillar of support as he had been since I’d first pitched him my idea.

“They love it,” he murmured, brushing his elbow against mine. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party before where all the guests were constantly smiling, but it’s definitely been that way tonight.”

“With the exception of the skeezy timeshare guy making the rounds,” I said. “I haven’t seen him for a while, though.”

“I kicked him out,” he volunteered, grinning as if it had already become a fond memory. “Don’t worry. I checked before I made the move. He doesn’t work around here.”

“Thank you,” I said, gratitude sweeping through me. “I overheard a few people complaining about him badgering them. Once again, you’ve saved the day.”

“Speaking of which.” He smiled as he jerked his head toward the door. “I have a surprise for you. You might want to go check out who just arrived.”

I frowned and my heart skipped as I wondered what he was up to now. Grabbing his arm, I dragged him to the foyer with me, nearly shrieking when I saw Winrey and Benji lounging in the front parlor.

My sister smiled, opening her arms to hug me. “We had to come see it for ourselves, but we didn’t want to crash the dinner. Austin told us when you would be finished eating.”

“You should’ve joined us.” I squeezed her as hard as I dared. “There’s plenty of food to go around. Are you hungry? Would you like something?”

She shook her head, a proud smile on her lips as she took another look around. “This place is amazing. It really is the perfect location.”

“Plus,” Benji added, taking her hand and bringing it to his mouth for a quick kiss. “Winrey went to the doctor today. We wanted to come tell you in person that everything checked out. She and the baby are doing really well.”

“I’m feeling very good too.” She slid her fingers around his and put her other hand on top of her pronounced bump. “Apparently, I should be okay as long as I avoid stressful situations and get enough rest.”

“Right, so you’re staying away from Mom and Dad then,” I said jokingly, giving her another hug. “Are you sure we can’t get you something to eat?”

“I’m fine,” she assured me. “I wouldn’t mind a quick trip to the ladies’ room, though. I swear, the baby has turned my bladder into its personal punching bag.”

I chuckled, but Austin stepped up beside me. “Let me show you where it is. We’ll pop into the kitchen on our way back and bring Benji some food. You have to try the steak, man. It’s incredible.”

Benji laughed and nodded his agreement. His eyes remained on Winrey’s back as Austin led her away from us. As I watched him watch her, I decided to make use of the quick moment he and I would have alone.

“Thank you for being there for her,” I said softly, looking him in the eyes so he would see that I meant every word. “I’m glad you’re part of our family, Benji. Neither of us would have it any other way, regardless of what my insane parents might have to say about it.”

I just hoped he took those words right to his heart. He belonged with my sister, and it killed me to think he might be doubting that. Dark hair flopping over his forehead, he tossed an arm around my shoulder to give me a one-armed hug.

“I’m not going anywhere, Kenny. I promise. Your parents’ offer, tasteless as it was, prompted me to do some thinking about the future and what I want it to look like. I’m here and I’m in this for the long haul. Winrey and I will never be able to give the baby what your parents can when it comes to money, but she made me realize that there are more important things in life than what’s happening in your bank account. Real love and support are priceless.”

Relief shot through me and I grinned. “Amen to that. Never doubt that Winrey loves you far more than she ever will care about money, Benji. She and I have both walked away from our parents’ lifestyle and neither of us have any plan to return. We can make our own way in the world.”

He grinned. “As long as you keep feeling that way once you realize what the baby could’ve had.”

“We’ll see to it that the baby has everything it needs,” I assured him. “And everyone knows babies don’t need money. What would they even spend it on?”

He laughed, cutting through his anxiety about the future. “Thanks, Kenny. I can’t tell you how much your support means to both of us.”

I gave his arm a squeeze. Austin and Winrey made their way back to us. He had a box in his hands, presumably containing food for them to take home.

When they reached us, she took Benji’s hand and smiled. “We should go.”

“Already?” I asked. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? You haven’t even seen the rest of the place yet.”

“Well, maybe a quick peek,” she said and took Benji with her toward the stairs, joining the rest of the guests in their explorations.

They ended up staying for dessert, but I didn’t get to talk to them again. My duties as a hostess kept calling. I had more food wrapped up for people to take with them. Whatever remained after our guests left would be donated to a soup kitchen nearby, and the butcher shop owner had already said he’d send some more meat there as well.

With the dinner winding down, it wasn’t long before guests started leaving and Austin and I stood by the door, personally thanking every guest for coming before saying goodbye one by one. Winrey and Benji were among the first to leave, and she hugged me close, whispering in my ear before she let go.

“Mom and Dad will never know how much they missed out on tonight,” she said. “I wish things were different with them, but I’m so, so proud of you, Kenny.”

“Thank you.” Tears squeezed at the backs of my eyes, but I blinked them away, knowing I wouldn’t get through the rest of the farewells if I started crying.

As the guests left, Austin stayed by my side, shaking hands and laughing as if he’d known them forever. Eventually, it was just us and the cleaning company in the old mansion. We helped gather dirty glasses. My feet were bare for the cleanup but my heart and head were so full that not even the fact that it was over could get me down.

“I think that went well,” I said.

He nodded his agreement, dark eyes tired but soft with happiness. “It was great, and I’m not just saying that. I think the community really enjoyed it.”

“Minus the cats.” I smiled. “I could’ve done without the cats.”

He chuckled. “I don’t know. They were starting to grow on me by the end there.”

I arched an eyebrow at him.

He laughed and shrugged his broad shoulders. “It made the whole place feel more like a home, which was what we wanted. It helped tie the whole vibe together.”

“Well, I suppose we can always turn this place into a cat hotel.” I slid my fingers into more glasses and carried them to the kitchen, surprised by how fast the cleaning crew was moving. The bulk of the cleaning would be done in the morning, but these folks were taking care of the dirty dishes and foodstuff. Austin and I moved silently around them, helping where we could but careful to stay out of their way.

By the time they finally left, I strode to the staircase, staring at all the little steps I had to take to get up to my stuff. Then I still had to change, pack my things, get home, figure out my whole messy life…

All of it lay ahead of me like a mountain I had to climb. I didn’t have the strength to take that first step. Now that the excitement of the evening was fading, my spirit faded with it.

Austin appeared at my side, took me gently by the shoulders, and turned me to face him. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Did that lady leave one of her cats behind? Because I’m not chasing after it. Not tonight.”

He shook his head. “No, there’s a different problem.”

My heart skipped and thrummed. A second wind suddenly infused my senses as if his words had been a shot of adrenaline. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t think I can do this whole business partners thing anymore, Kenny,” he said. “I know it’s been a really long day and I know you’ll probably have to think about it, but I wanted to tell you before we leave here. I want more.”

As he said it, he moved his hand to my face, cupping it tenderly and stepping into me. “I want to kiss you so badly right now, so I’m going to. I’m tired of fighting it, but if you don’t want me to, all you have to do is say the word.”

He was so close to my face that his breath ghosted across my skin. A shiver of heat shot down my spine at his proximity. My entire being came alive with joy over what he’d said.

The truth was, I didn’t know what the future held for me or for my business, but I’d told him I needed to take a step back to focus on the dinner, and he had respected that. Now that it was over, I needed to reassess what I was going to do with my life, but the only thing I was sure of as his lips met mine was that I wanted him to be a part of it.

As so much more than just a business partner.