So Not Meant To Be
: Chapter 20

“This is absolutely breathtaking,” Kelsey says as she takes in the 360-degree view of the San Francisco skyline. “I can’t believe you flew us back up here for our first official date.”

“Felt only fitting.”

With the meetings piling up on my calendar, I knew waiting until the weekend would be best, and I knew I wanted it here. I wanted to spoil her. I sent her a green, off-the-shoulder dress that I personally picked out because I knew it would accentuate everything I like about her—her curves, the color of her eyes, and her slender shoulders. I had someone do her hair and makeup at her apartment. When I picked her up, I blindfolded her and brought her to the airport, slipping off her blindfold as we boarded the plane. I kept my eyes on her the entirety of the short flight up, happy to see her beaming with excitement. I didn’t tell her a thing until the driver pulled up to Parkside and opened the door for her.

Nothing feels more fitting than being at Parkside with her when I can finally call her mine.

“I’ve had the chef create a special menu for us. I hope that’s okay.”

She smiles—fuck, I love that smile so much. “That sounds amazing.” Then she leans in and says, “Not to put too much pressure on you, but any chance we can get some honey cake before we leave San Francisco?”

“One step ahead of you, babe.”

She tilts her head, such joy in her eyes. “You really do know how to woo a girl, don’t you?”

“Only you,” I answer just as our first course comes out.

A bowl is placed in front of each of us as well as a traditional Melamine Asian soup spoon. Then, with a cloth draped over his arm, our waiter says, “Mr. Cane, Miss Gardner, I’d like to present your first course. An Asian curried soup with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and coconut milk, artfully seasoned with Malaysian flavors. Enjoy.”

He leaves us in the private room reserved for me and my brothers.

Whispering, Kelsey says, “I think this is the fanciest restaurant experience of my life.”

“It’s not too much, is it? Because we can go somewhere else.”

“No, not at all. I mean, I like the laid-back experience, but I also love this. I’m such a sucker for a romantic evening and this, JP, it’s . . . it’s really just beautiful.”

“You’re worth it,” I say before picking up my spoon and dipping it into my soup.

“You spoil me.”

“As you should be.”

She smirks and dips her spoon into her soup, as well. Her eyes widen and they meet mine. “Oh my God, this is amazing.”

“This is only the beginning.”

“TELL me more about your mom and Jeff. Did he help raise you?”

Kelsey shakes her head. “Not really. My dad left us when we were really young. He was a truck driver and wanted to be on the road. Mom raised us on her own. Our dad sent money, but that was about it. There was no involvement in our life. And then when I was around fourteen, my mom met Jeff. To our knowledge, he was the only boyfriend she had while we were growing up, and we didn’t even know they were dating until after six months. How she did it, I don’t know, but she was very protective of us. When we finally met Jeff, it was this big relief because we saw how happy our mom was. We immediately accepted him into our family, and he’s been a rock for us ever since.”

“That’s such a good story,” I say. “I’ve had a few conversations with him, and just from those chats, I can tell how much he treats you as his.”

“He’s the dad we never had,” Kelsey says as the waiter removes our salad plates. “There was this one night where I came home from a date in high school and I was heartbroken because the boy I went out with said I was a bad kisser. I knew that wasn’t right because I’d practiced on my hand several times.” She winks and I laugh out loud. Of course she did. “Jeff was very quiet, and when my mom took me to my room to console me, Jeff left the house.”

“Oh shit, what did he do?”

“Never told me. All I know is that the next day, Skylar—the guy I went out with—gave me an apology card and told me it was him who was the bad kisser, not me.”

“That’s my kind of man. I hope he scared the absolute shit out of Skylar.”

“I’m pretty sure he did.”

I lean closer to her and say, “And for the record, you’re easily the best kisser I’ve ever had.”

“Same.” She winks.

KELSEY PRESSES her hand to her stomach and says, “Okay . . . hands down the best dim sum ever.”

“Told you.” I dab my mouth with my napkin. “Nothing tops it.”

“And those Szechwan noodles changed my life.”

“Hopefully in a good way.”

“The best way.” She lifts the tea she ordered and takes a sip. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“What’s that?”

“Have you talked to Huxley about your job, what you feel, and the ideas you have to feel more fulfilled?”

I shake my head. “Not yet.”

“Are you nervous?”

“No, I’m more focused on you at the moment.”

“You don’t need to focus on me, you have me.”

“Yeah? Is that a promise?”

She leans over and takes my hand in hers. “That’s a promise. So, now you can focus on your job. Do you need help putting together a presentation? I’m good at organizing thoughts.”

“Of course you are.” I kiss her knuckles. “But I think I should do this on my own.”

“Mmm, I like that. I like when you’re in charge.”

“I know because you scream my name when I’m in charge.”

Her cheeks redden as she glances around.

“It’s a private room, Kelsey.”

“Yes, but our waiter pops in and out.”

“And he signed an NDA, so there’s nothing you need to worry about. Plus, given the tip he’ll get tonight, his loyalty is with me.”

“Still, I don’t need people knowing I’m a screamer.”

I chuckle. “Nothing wrong with that. I like that you scream. I actually wish it was my ringtone.”

“Oh my God, are you trying to ruin the night?”

“It can’t all be roses and candles, babe. There has to be some reality to the night, and that is, even though we’re together, I’ll still drive you crazy.”

“Oddly,” she says on a sigh, “I think it’s what I like the most about you.”

“Liar, you like how I make you come.”

She shakes her head. “Nope, I like you . . . you, the person. I like Jonah the sweetheart. JP the instigator. The sex, that’s just a bonus.”

Fuck, she knows how to make me feel whole.

Loved.

Cherished.

Wanted.

I knew this woman had the potential to change my life, but I didn’t know how quickly.

When Huxley asked me how serious I was about Kelsey, if this was just fun or if this was real, I wasn’t kidding when I told him she was it for me. No one else. I told him that I fell for her weeks ago, and being with her, being able to hold her, kiss her, just solidifies that feeling.

She’s my person.

“HOW ARE YOU FEELING?” I ask Kelsey as I sit across from her on our private jet.

“Good. Happy. Lucky.”

After our dinner, we went to the rooftop of the building and I played our song again—what I refer to as our song—and I danced with my girl under the stars while candles lit the space around us. It was romantic as fuck, and Kelsey cried when I first took her out on the rooftop. Then, we sat on a couch, shared a piece of honey cake, and talked some more. About everything and anything. Our conversations flow so easily, and it’s like we’ve been talking for years. Once we were ready to leave, I asked her if she wanted to fly back or stay the night, and unfortunately, she has a dress fitting with Lottie tomorrow, so we had to fly back home tonight.

The captain informs us that we’re free to get out of our seats, so I unbuckle my seatbelt and rise from my chair. I hold my hand out to her and say, “Come with me.”

I lead her back to the bedroom where there’s a bed freshly made. I shut and lock the door behind me and then turn toward her. “I want you naked.”

Her eyes widen with excitement. “What do you plan on doing?”

“Something that takes us the whole flight to accomplish.”

“That’s over an hour.”

“Exactly.” I undo my shirt buttons and tug the shirt out of my dress pants. “Seems like the perfect amount of time to explore your body with my tongue.”

She places her hand on my chest and slowly runs her nails over my pecs, across my nipples, and down my abs. “You know I love how you make me come, right?”

“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ after that statement?”

“Because there is.”

“Fuck, are you on your period?”

She shakes her head. “No, but I am preventing you from making me come tonight.”

“Why?” I feel my brow draw together.

Her hand slips to my pants and she undoes them, then dips her hand past the elastic of my briefs and right to my cock.

A hiss escapes me as I lean against the door of the compact bedroom.

“I want to make you come this time,” she tells me.

“But we’re taking it slow.”

“You making me orgasm every time we’re together isn’t taking it slow.”

I pause and grip her hand. “Fuck, you’re right. I’m . . . hell, I’m sorry.” I remove her hand. “You’re right, I shouldn’t end the date like this. We can—”

Her hand covers my mouth as she presses her breasts to my chest. “Don’t finish that sentence.”

“Kelsey, you’re right, I’m not honoring what you asked.”

“What I asked was dumb. We can connect on both levels. We have. I really want to make you feel good.”

“Babe, you make me feel good without having to stick your hand down my pants.”

“This is different. I want to connect with you on this level, too.”

“Are you sure?”

She nods. “I’m very sure.” She reaches to her side and undoes her zipper, letting her dress fall to the floor, leaving her in a light pink two-piece lingerie set.

“Remind me to get you a gift card for your favorite lingerie store, because this is never going to get old.” I smooth my hand on her back, grip the clasp of her bra, and undo it with one quick pinch. It snaps off and falls to the ground with her dress.

“I thought I was the one pleasuring you?” she asks as she pushes down my pants and briefs at the same time until I step out of them, removing my shoes and socks first.

“Seeing you naked pleasures me.” I push her thong down so we’re both naked.

I reach for the spot between her legs, but before I can, she drops to her knees, moves her hair to the side, and grips my cock at the base.

“Hell,” I whisper, leaning against the door.

Her tongue peeks out past her soft lips and she runs circles over my head, swirling and swirling, while she casually pumps my length.

It’s subtle.

And it drives me crazy because it’s not nearly enough. I know what she’s doing—she’s attempting to torture me as I torture her. Little does she know, I could do this all fucking night.

That is . . . until her hand slides under my balls to the spot just behind them. She pushes up, and my eyes widen in pleasure.

“Fuck.” I clench my teeth together as I feel my cock grow in her mouth.

“Like that?” she asks before dipping her tongue to the base of my dick and dragging it all the way up, making short flicks against the underside of the head. Her thumbs work my balls, dragging over the seam, fondling them, one at a time. It’s an onslaught of pleasure, but once again, not what I need, not what’s going to drive me to fucking her mouth.

“You trying to torture me?”

She smirks and brings her entire mouth over my cock, sucking me in. Fuck, yes, that’s what I’m talking about. I’m prepared to settle into her mouth when she pulls off in one slick motion and brings her tongue down to my balls.

The fucking temptress.

I reach down and grip her hair in my fist, turning it over once so I have a tight hold. She doesn’t even flinch. She loves it just as much as I do. She reaches for my balls, brings them close to her mouth, and sucks them in, her tongue running all over them.

“Babe, that feels good. But I want in your mouth.”

“Sometimes you don’t always get what you want.”

My eyes narrow at that smart mouth of hers and I give her hair the lightest of yanks. She smiles before taking my cock into her mouth again, this time, straight to the back of her throat.

“Fuck . . . me,” I say when she swallows. “Yes, baby. Just like that.” She allows me to thrust into her once, twice, and when I go for a third, she pulls away and releases me. “Jesus.”

Sweat trickles down my back as her hands start working my length, up and down, tugging, pulling, massaging. Her hands work over the head, over sensitive veins to my perineum, where she lightly plays, tapping, rubbing, driving me more and more nuts.

“Babe, I’m about to fuck you in two seconds.”

She chuckles and stands. She keeps one hand on my cock, lightly tugging on it as she kisses my chest, my neck, my jaw, and then matches her lips to mine. I open-mouth kiss her, driving my tongue against hers, aggressively taking what I want. One hand on her lower back, keeping her tight against me, I reach between her legs and replace her completely drenched.

“Shit, babe, you’re so turned on.”

“I love sucking your cock,” she says, her confession nearly making me come right then and there.

“If you like sucking it so much, then lie down on the bed, your head hanging over the edge.”

Confused, she leans away, so I help her lie down. Then I guide her body so her head tips back over the edge of the bed and her throat is completely exposed.

“Have you ever sucked a cock like this before?”

She shakes her head as she wets her lips.

“I’ll go slow, then. Open for me, baby.”

She opens her mouth, and I position my cock at her lips and slowly press into her mouth, giving her the feel of the position first.

“Are you okay?”

She nods so I press farther. She unhinges and allows me to go even deeper.

“That’s it, take me in slow.” I lean forward and place my hands on the mattress at either side of her waist. “Open your legs for me.” She listens brilliantly, and I lean over and tongue her clit, swiping at it a few times.

She groans against my cock and the vibration nearly makes me shoot off in seconds.

“Christ,” I groan, trying to keep my composure. “Hold my cock, baby, guide me in and out.”

She grips the base of my erection and moves me in and out of her throat, sometimes going shallow, other times taking me in so deep that I nearly black out. The entire time, I try to focus on bringing her pleasure. I lap at her clit with fast flicks, something I know drives her crazy.

She pulls me into her throat, swallows, plays with my balls, presses and strokes me in all the right places, and my orgasm climbs faster than I want it to.

“So good, baby. Fuck, you feel so good. Are you close?”

“Yes,” she whispers while pulling off me for a second to take a deep breath. “Can I come?”

And fuck . . . me, those three words have my cock surging for release.

“Good girl for asking. You can,” I say, then I lower my mouth again and press it against her clit. She takes me into her throat. Her body tenses beneath me, and after three more flicks, she’s moaning against my cock, tugging on my goddamn balls, and making me come so fucking fast, I didn’t even have time to prepare her. Instead, I shoot off down her throat and pulse into her mouth until I’m completely spent.

I slide to the side and pull her up into my hold, cradling her close to my chest and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She rests her heated cheek against my skin and sighs.

“Are you okay?” I ask her. She nods. “Was that too intense for you?”

“No.” She kisses my chest. “It was perfect.” She then looks me in the eyes and says, “You make me feel so desirable, JP. The way you speak to me is so demanding, but also like you’re protecting me. You have so much faith in me even though I don’t have that much experience. I don’t think I’ve ever felt sexier in my life.”

“Because you are.” I nudge her chin up and capture her lips.

“This may be too deep—no pun intended, given what we just did—but I’ve always been insecure about my looks. Being Lottie’s younger sister, it’s hard not to compare myself to her. And with one failed attempt after another at dating, I have a hard time not feeling insecure about who I am and what I look like. But then you came along, and you’ve somehow washed away those insecurities. You’ve made me feel beautiful.”

“Because you are.” I have no clue why Kelsey doesn’t see her own beauty. Sure, her sister is pretty, but Kelsey is in another league of beautiful. “I think you’re the most exquisite beauty, Kelse. Lottie has nothing on you.”

Her smile weakens me, and when she curls against me again, she asks, “Can we lie down and just talk?”

“Yeah, baby, we can. Let me grab you a water first.”

I help her under the covers of the bed. Then I quickly wash up, grab some waters, and offer her a wet washcloth. Once we’re settled, lying down and facing each other, her beautiful smile peeks past her lips.

“Didn’t think I’d ever be a girl who deep-throated a guy on an airplane, but look at me now . . . not sure if I should be proud or not.”

I laugh. “You should be. There’s more to life than bamboo organization systems.”

“Apparently.” She dances her fingers over my chest. “So, are you excited about Hux and Lottie getting married soon? It’s right around the corner.”

“I am excited. Not so much about the wedding, but for Huxley to be married and start a family. He’s always been a sort of father figure to me and Breaker, especially once our dad passed, so I know being a father is in his blood. It’ll be good to see him take a step back for a second, breathe, and enjoy life. I know Lottie helps him do that.”

“She does. I didn’t think their little scheme would ever go this far, but I’m happy for them, and I’m ready to be an aunt.”

“What about a mom? Is that something you want?” I ask, curious about her thoughts on starting a family.

“It is.” Her eyes flash to mine. “What about you?”

“Yes. I want to be a father. I want to have a family. I have that huge fucking house, and I need to fill it up with something.”

“You could always fill it up with a bunch of cats. Given your ornery disposition at times, a cat seems like the perfect pet for you.”

“I do like a good pussy.”

She rolls her eyes, causing me to chuckle.

“I’m sure I’ll get a pet someday, and it’ll hate me but love everyone else in my family.”

“Sounds about right. How many kids do you want?”

“One . . . possibly two. But not for a bit. I don’t want to be banging out kids as soon as I get married. I want to enjoy my wife first, take her around the world, grow experiences before we’re deep in the trenches of diapers and temper tantrums.”

“I’m the same way. I still have some things I want to accomplish, experience. I know I want a family, but I don’t need it right away.”

I momentarily study her and then say, “I think you’d be a great mom.”

Her eyes soften. “You think so?”

I nod. “I really do. You have a loving, calm heart. You’re also a beautiful leader, and when conflict arises, you don’t immediately grow angry like I do. You take a step back and give it some thought before tackling what needs to be said, what needs to be done. I think that’s a good quality in a mom.”

“Well, I think you’d be a good dad. You’re caring, protective, and even though you’re annoying at times with your constant teasing, I know you’d bring great joy to your family.”

“That means a lot to me. Thank you, Kelsey.” And that right there is one of the main reasons I’m falling for this girl. She sees beyond the façade, sees my heart, and likes what she sees. As much as I craved time with my dad, I also wished he gave more of himself to all of us boys. We all needed a role model and someone who loved us unconditionally. I want to be the man he wasn’t.

“You’re welcome.” She scoots in closer, brings her hand to the back of my neck, and kisses me tenderly. “So, I was thinking, after my dress fitting tomorrow, do you want to come over to my place? I’ll make you dinner?”

“Can I help you make dinner?”

“I’d like that a lot.”

“Good.” I kiss her this time. “Then, yes, I’ll be there.”

BREAKER DRIBBLES the ball and then tosses it up to the basket, making a swish. “I’m surprised you were able to replace the willpower to pull yourself away from Kelsey for one goddamn moment and play basketball with me.”

“Wow, you don’t sound bitter,” I say as the ball rebounds and I toss it back to him.

“Seriously, dude. I’m losing Huxley. Am I going to lose you, too?”

“You’re not losing us.”

“I never see you guys unless we’re at the office, and you don’t even have lunch with me anymore.” Jokes are on the tip of my tongue, but when I see how serious he is, I hold back.

“Are you really upset?” I ask.

He dribbles, sets up, shoots. “I mean, sort of, and not in a bitchy way, because I’m happy for you two, but it would be nice if you guys would carve out some time for me.”

“I can do that.” I pull on the back of my neck. “Things have just been . . . crazy. And I’ve been consumed. Dude, I fucking like her a lot.”

“I know. I can tell. And I know Huxley is consumed by the wedding right now, which is in a week, but remember, we’re all we have. Don’t leave a man behind.”

“I’ll make a better effort,” I promise. He tosses me the ball and I take a shot. It bounces off the rim, right back at me. “You know, you could possibly replace someone to settle down with. The option is there.”

“Oh, is it? What love connection are you seeing for me that I don’t see?”

“What about Ophelia?” I ask.

“Lia?” he asks, confused.

“Yeah. Huxley and I have been taking bets as to when you two will hook up.”

“Dude, she’s my friend, not to mention my neighbor, and she has a boyfriend. That’s it. There’s no romance.”

“You two also call each other all the time—call, not text. That’s weird.”

“We text, too,” he mutters. “But that’s beside the point. We’re friends, that’s it, nothing more. We established those ground rules back in college.”

“So, you’re telling me you never thought about getting together with her?”

“Never.”

I laugh. “You’re such a fucking liar.” I shake my head as I steal the ball from him and shoot, missing the basket completely. Jesus, maybe I should meet up with Breaker more. I can’t seem to score anything today. “So, you’re not bringing her to the wedding?”

“No. She did knit Huxley and Lottie pot holders, though, that I have to take with me.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t invite her to the wedding.”

“I’m bringing some girl named Charise.”

“Some girl? Do you even know her?”

“Yeah. She’s Lia’s friend.”

“Wait.” I pause. “You’re not taking Lia, but you’re taking her friend?”

He shrugs. “I told her I needed a date, and she hooked me up. See, that’s what friends are for. I was her wingman when she met Brian. Unlike you, I can actually be friends with a woman.”

“Seems like everything worked out for me.” I smile at him as he takes a shot from the three-point line and sinks it.

“Do you love her?” he asks, rebounding his own ball before tossing it to me.

I dribble it a few times and nod. “Yeah, I think I do. Hell, she’s all I think about. I’m constantly counting down the minutes until I can hold her and be with her. And she makes me really fucking happy, dude. I think once all this wedding stuff is done, I’m going to take her back to San Francisco and tell her. Feels fitting to do it there.”

“When did you become a man who makes grand gestures?”

“Ever since I started listening to Kelsey’s podcast. Have you heard it?” I ask. He lifts a brow at me, which causes me to laugh. “Well, she’s all about these stories of how people met. She loves the grand gesture, and she soaks in their romance. You can feel how much she’s in her element when you listen. Figured if I want to keep her around, I have to step up my game.”

“Never thought I’d see the day when you matured into a thoughtful man, but here you are. I’m impressed.”

“Thank you.” I awkwardly bow before shooting the ball. I fade back while the ball hits . . . nothing.

Breaker lets out a long, drawn out, “AIIIIIIRRRRR BALLLLLLLLL,” like the immature little brother that he is.

Yeah, I need to get out here more often.

“THANKS FOR MEETING WITH ME,” I say to my brothers as I sit across from them at the conference table.

Fuck, my palms are sweaty.

I’ve put a lot of time into this presentation, knowing that Huxley would want specific points. Although I’d planned to speak to Breaker first and toss around the numbers, I didn’t want Huxley to feel we’d gone behind his back. I might want to drive this, but we need to be unified on this direction and the only way to achieve that is if we all use our individual strengths once the idea is on the table. I spent last night running through my idea over and over, explaining it out loud to Kelsey as she sat on her bed with me. She listened to me speak until I was blue in the face. I’d felt ready. Right now, however, with my brothers watching me, I feel like I’ve lost all sense of why I’m doing this.

Kelsey and I drove to Cane Enterprises this morning. She walked me to my office, she held my hand as I went over the presentation one more time, and she gave me the most encouraging kiss and told me to call her after.

I can’t fucking fold, knowing she’s waiting to hear from me.

Taking a deep breath, I look my brothers in the eye and say, “I’m unhappy.”

The confused looks that cross their faces would almost seem comical if I wasn’t so fucking on edge right now.

Huxley shifts in his chair. “What do you mean, you’re unhappy? In life? I thought everything was good with Kelsey.”

“Everything is great with Kelsey,” I say. “This has nothing to do with my personal life and everything to do with my work life.”

“You’re unhappy with work?” Breaker asks, both of them truly concerned. They’re obviously surprised too.

“I am.” On another deep breath, I say, “When we started this company, I joined in not because it was something I truly wanted to do—invest in real estate—but because I wanted to be close to you two. Losing Dad, it was—” My throat grows tight. “Well, you know how devastated I was. And I was feeling lost, tortured at times with memories, and the only way I knew how to preserve those memories was to stay as close to you two as I could. The jobs were simple. Breaker, you’d do the numbers because that was what you’re good at. Huxley, you’d be the idea man, because you’re a natural-born leader, and that left me with the leftovers, handling all media and odd jobs. At first, I didn’t mind it, but as time went on, I grew more and more bored. More bitter. Angry that I didn’t feel like I had a purpose.”

“How long have you felt this way?” Huxley asks.

“Probably about a year now. But in the last few months, those feelings have grown to the point of bitterness. And that’s not what I want. I don’t want to feel bitter toward the one thing that keeps me close to Dad’s memory. Close to you both. So, I sat down and thought about what would truly make me happy, what would make me feel fulfilled.” I open my folder and slide the two printouts across the table, one for each of them. “I want to start a foundation within Cane Enterprises that focuses on offering affordable housing in our buildings to those who need it. Single parents, low-income families, those struggling to get their feet on the ground. I want to build a community within the housing, offer practical classes like basic DIY home maintenance and managing your finances, have childcare, health management. We’re bringing in so much fucking money every goddamn day that I think it’s time we give back, do more than just writing a check to a foundation.”

Huxley and Breaker both look over the printout, their eyes scanning the details. I’m literally hiding my shaking hands as I wait for their response.

They have to see the value in it.

“And you’d head this program?” Huxley asks. “Starting with the Angelica?”

I nod. “Yes. I’ve laid out the plans for how we can make the Angelica our first affordable housing apartment building. I even spoke with the mayor before I left San Francisco, pitched him the idea, and he said not only would he be willing to work with us on securing more buildings, but he’d put money toward our initiative when it comes to education, opportunity, childcare, as well as transportation.”

“Have you run the numbers on this?” Breaker asks.

“Yes.” I pull another paper from my folder, knowing he was going to ask. “With the products the mayor can provide at cost, and the tax breaks, we could break even on the project, while helping others. But honestly, even if we didn’t, it wouldn’t matter. Profit from even one of our other properties can sustain that.”

“What about your current responsibilities?” Huxley asks.

“Sustainably Organized runs on its own, and I think you know that at this point, Lottie and Kelsey don’t need us watching over them. I’d be able to keep up on some of my smaller management projects, and then all the PR—well, I can schedule important meetings, but the smaller fires, those can be put out by someone we hire. It’s menial work and a waste of my time.” I tap the desk. “This, though, this is the big picture. We can start a wave of affordable living across the country in major cities, expand from California to New York, touch down in Denver and Atlanta, as well.”

Huxley leans back in his chair and stares me down. “Honestly, I think it would be a substantial hit on our profit, because I can’t see how we could make affordable housing profitable.” My stomach fucking falls. “But . . . it’s a fucking brilliant idea and I’m mad I didn’t think of it myself.” He places his hand on the conference table. “One of the best things I learned from Dad about business is sometimes you have to take a hit in order to invest in yourself later. This is a hit, but it will keep investing in our company over and over again, maybe not financially, but morally. We have to run the numbers to ensure we stay viable, ensure we balance the not-for-profits with the revenue-generating properties, which I can see is possible. I’m guessing we’d need a not-for-profit license too. Spend time with Breaker and run numbers. You have my approval. Let’s meet on this again in three weeks.”

My chest swells as I turn toward Breaker, who’s still looking over the numbers. “I agree with Huxley and we do need to go over these numbers.” He lifts his eyes and smirks at me. “But I fucking love the idea.” Growing serious, he asks, “This will make you happy, though?”

I nod. “It will.”

He tilts his head to the side and asks, “Does this have anything to do with Kazoo the pigeon?”

I let out a loud laugh as Huxley asks, “Who the hell is Kazoo?”

“Some pigeon JP has been saving during his spare time.”

“I think this was inspired by Kazoo,” I say.

“Well, would you look at that, pigeons really do deserve to be saved.”

After a few handshakes, some bro hugs, and some reassurance on my end that I’m truly excited about this, I part ways with my brothers and pull my phone from my pocket.

JP: Where are you?

Kelsey texts back right away.

Kelsey: Your office.

I nearly sprint to my office and shut the door behind me. She’s on the couch, a cup of coffee in hand. When our eyes meet, she slowly sets the coffee on the table in front of her and stands. “What did they say?”

I smile. “They fucking loved it.”

She jumps in glee and then runs to my arms, offering me the world’s best fucking hug. I grip her tightly, one hand on her back, the other at the nape of her neck as she clings to me, her legs wrapping around my waist.

“Oh my God, I’m so excited for you.”

“Thank you,” I say, burying my head in her hair.

I press a kiss to the side of her face and hold her so tightly. It’s as if the world around me is starting to make sense. For so long, I’ve felt lost, like I wasn’t supposed to be where I was, but over the last few months, the clouds have parted and I can finally fucking see what I’m supposed to be doing.

Giving back.

Creating something bigger than an income for me and my brothers.

Falling for this woman and showing her the kind of man I can be for her.

It’s all clicking into place, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.

Ever.