Hollywood Heir (Westerly Billionaire #4)(37)

Eric ended it there and waited. If Brett refused to help him, he’d find another way.

“I have some people on my payroll who excel at finding out what people need, and they’re discreet. I’ll fly one of them over. They can set you up with everything you need to make this happen.”

“Thanks. I’ll put them up in a hotel. No one on my staff knows about my double life—except Reggie.”

“I’ve heard a lot about your electrician lately.”

“He’s more of a friend than an employee.”

“That’s what I heard. I’m glad you have someone in your life you can trust. That’s important.”

“I’ve also met someone.” Never, never in the past would he have shared so much with Brett, but if they were starting over, he wanted it to be an honest start. “I’ve never met anyone like her before, and I know I never will again. She gets me, even the parts I haven’t yet told her about. When I’m with her, I feel like I can be a better person. She gives me hope.” And it scares me shitless.

“Is she a Water Bear Man fan?”

In for a penny, in for a pound. Eric walked into one of the house’s large parlors and looked out the window, standing in one life, wishing he were already back in his other. “She doesn’t know my real name.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“More than you know, but I will sort it out. I don’t want to lose her. She’s probably everything you wouldn’t approve of, but—”

“Eric, this may be coming too late, but I understand why you left for Europe. I understand why you don’t call. It took meeting Alisha for me to understand how I was repeating the same mistakes Dad did, the same ones Grandmother did. I was harsh and critical of your choices. I’m not excusing my behavior, but I do apologize for it. I see now that there’s a better way, and slowly I’m rebuilding my relationships with our siblings. Rachelle was easy.”

Eric could see that. “She has a huge heart.”

“Yes. Spencer was more of a challenge. I had to prove to him that he could trust me, but things are better between us now. Nothing is overnight, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you called, because I know exactly how justified your self-exile was. I see it now, though, and I won’t ever be that man again.”

There was a humility to Brett that hadn’t been there before, and it was reassuring. Maybe reuniting with his family was not impossible after all. It also gave him hope that his talk with Delinda might not be as dreadful as it might have once been.

When he looked at his relationship with Brett through fresh eyes, he felt compelled to say, “I accept your apology, but I have my share of regrets as well. I didn’t try to see your side. It was all about me and how I felt. That’s something I’m working on.”

They fell into a short, awkward silence.

Eric finally said, “I should go. Delinda is expecting a phone call from me tonight.”

“She loves you, Eric. No matter how she frames it, that’s what she’s trying to say.”

“I know.”

“Be honest with her. If she crosses a line, tell her. All she wants is to be part of our lives. Show her how you want her to fit into yours—if you do want that.”

Eric’s hand clenched around the phone. He’d given up on ever repairing his relationship with his grandmother. A few months ago, if someone had told him that he would be talking to Brett about how to reconcile with her, he would have scoffed at the idea. Admitting that he missed his grandmother didn’t mean he had to open the door as wide for her as he had for Brett. Baby steps. “I would like to get to a better place with her.”

“Then tell her that. And remember, I’m only a phone call away if you need backup.”

“Thanks, Brett. And I appreciate the offer of sharing your staff. I’m going to head to Vandorra in a few days for a visit, so if they can hold off until I return, that would be perfect.”

“I’ll plan for that. Say hi to Rachelle for me.”

“Princess Rachelle,” Eric joked.

“Ha. Yes. Call me when you get back.”

“I will.” And this time Eric meant it.

Eric paced the room a few times after hanging up with Brett. There was no more putting it off. He looked down at his phone and took a deep breath.

What time do women in their eighties go to bed?

I’ll call her tomorrow.



The next day after returning from meeting Bella for dinner, Sage returned home and began to restlessly clean her apartment. There was something soothing about washing dishes and organizing her things. Some people assumed that since she was “flighty,” it meant she was messy as well, but she kept a tidy house. Away at school, her room had been all that was really hers, and she chose every aspect of it carefully.

If she had to label her style, it would be comfortably contemporary. Nothing expensive or too exotic. When it came to her home, she liked simple.

After a quick shower, Sage put on pajamas and flopped on her bed. What a day.

In an attempt to keep her mind off the fact that Wayne hadn’t called her, Sage had forced herself out into the world early. Normally her radar led her somewhere, but that day she walked without feeling guided. She’d started heading toward the coffee shop and changed her mind countless times. Wayne had her number. If he wanted to see her, he knew where to find her.