More Than Need You (More Than Words 2)

said I would do it for free.”

“You’re going to move Britta and Jamie there?”

“Temporarily. Even if the estate sells this week, it won’t close right away. The place will need maintenance until it does. If it doesn’t sell quickly…well, at thirty million bucks, it’s not as if we’re going to show the property every day. Or even once a week. It’s also closer to work than Britta currently lives. Jamie will consider it a giant adventure…” Plus, it’s romantic. Fuck, it’s a honeymoon suite on steroids. I’m really hoping it will help sway Britta to think of me not as the enemy but as her lover again. So we can spend time together as a family.

“Yeah. All right.” Maxon nods. “If the Stowes are cool with the idea, I know you’ll respect the house. It’s probably better than hiring someone with dubious follow-through skills. We’ll certainly save money.” He shrugs. “I like it.”

I’m relieved. “Good. Thanks, man.”

Once we get there, I’ll have Britta walk the property with me and tell me what kind of kid proofing she needs. Beyond that, I think it’s the perfect solution.

Now, most everything is settled. All I’m waiting for is Britta’s answer.

I glance at my phone—9:02 p.m. Why isn’t it ringing?

“You look like you’re going to crawl out of your skin,” Maxon observes.

“Remember when you were waiting to find out if Keeley was going to board the plane?”

“It’s like that, huh? Sorry. That sucks. I know.”

“But you’re happy now, right?”

The smile that transforms his face is unlike any expression I’ve seen on my brother. He isn’t just happy. He’s completely, utterly content.

I’m thrilled for Maxon. I’m also hoping that if he can find his way to a great life with the woman he loves, I might be able to finagle the same. I don’t know how I’m going to persuade her to admit that she still loves me, but I’m working on it.

“I honestly never knew what happiness was until Keeley.” He winces. “I’m sure with Mom and Dad serving as my example for the great institute of marriage that I’ll fuck up from time to time. But this woman gets me. She knows what’s in my heart. She loves me anyway.”

Every one of his words settles like a boulder in my belly. Britta gets me. But does she like anything about me at all? I’m trying to tell her how much I care. So far, she’s unconvinced.

“That’s fantastic. I expect to be your best man.” I laugh.

“I don’t know.” Maxon shrugs. “Keeley was thinking you’d make an excellent maid of honor. She’s thinking you’d look great in peach chiffon.”

I punch him in the shoulder. “Take her home and make sure she remembers the difference between men and women.”

“I’ve done a pretty damn good job reminding her all day if I do say so myself.” He gives me a loopy grin.

“Ugh, I don’t want details.”

My brother laughs. “We also called her mom and stepfather. They’re really excited for us.”

“Did you tell our folks?”

“You think they’d give a shit? Mom would want to know when she could come preside over the grand celebration. Dad would tell me I’ve lost my fucking mind because Keeley can’t bring me money, power, or prestige. No. I called Harlow. She was happy for me. She’s a tough girl, but I think she even shed a tear. So all that’s left is for us to pick a wedding date. Keeley is thinking fall. I won’t wait that long.”

The topic of overeager grooms brings me back to my problems. I reach into my briefcase and pull out the stack of Britta’s bridal mags I retrieved from her trash can. Maybe she’s bored with them. But why go to all the trouble to flag certain pages and photos, complete with colorful notes, only to dump it all? I’d suspect that the wedding is off…except she’s still wearing her engagement ring and is calling him her fiancé. Nothing makes sense. The whole incident sets off my suspicions.

I’m going to get to the bottom of this.

“Any idea why Britta would ditch these?” I lay them out on the counter. “I had to make a quick stop at the grocery store during lunch, so I looked at the magazines on the shelves. It’s not as if there are more updated editions available.”

Maxon frowns. “No idea. That is weird, though.”

“She’s been poring over this stack and combing websites for days. All of a sudden, she’s not interested anymore?”

“She hasn’t said anything to me. But if I get a chance tomorrow, I’ll feel her mood out. She usually talks to me…”

Well, she did until Maxon and I decided to be brothers again. I’m not sure if she’ll confide in him now. She must suspect she’d be feeding information directly to a spy of sorts. So she probably won’t say shit to Maxon.

“That would be great. If it doesn’t work out, don’t worry. I’ll be leaning on her, too.”

He nods. “Shouldn’t she have called you by now?”

A glance at my phone tells me it’s 9:06. She’s out of her mind if she thinks I won’t hop in my car and drive over to her place and demand an answer right the fuck now.

As if my very thoughts compelled her, my cell starts to buzz in my hand. Her name pops up on my display.

Here we go…

My brother claps me on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it. Let me know what she decides.”

I nod at my brother gratefully, then tap my thumb over the button to accept the call as the door shuts behind him. “Britta? You’re late.”

“I have a life.”

Yeah, with me.

I try not to clench my jaw. I try even harder not to lose my temper. She feels powerless in this situation, and I’m pretty sure this is her little defiance. It won’t last. I’ll make sure she feels plenty happy and powerful as soon as she’ll let me.

“Everything all right with Jamie?”

As usual, that subject defuses some of her anger. “He’s fine. A little fussy tonight.” She pauses like she debates the wisdom of saying more, but she finally sighs. “He asked about you.”

“I miss him,” I say softly.

My chest actually hurts at the thought I won’t see him again tonight. If I’m honest, a part of me worried he would forget me in the span of a couple of days. I can’t have made a huge impact on his little life yet, so the possibility that I’d have to start all over with him again tomorrow night disturbs the hell out of me.

“Griff…” she begins. I hear the tone in her voice. She’s about to ask me to be reasonable.

“I don’t want discussion. I just want your answer. What is it?”

“Seriously, this is such a huge upheaval for Jamie and—”

“He’s young. Kids are adaptable. He’ll benefit in the end because he’ll be better off with both parents. I don’t want more excuses, Britta. Yes or no? It’s very simple.”

“I can’t leave my house—”

“You can. We’ll check on it.”

“And my fiancé—”

“He’s a big boy.”

She sighs in exasperation. “Did you ever stop to think that I’ll miss him?”

“No.” I’m going to make sure she doesn’t have the time or inclination.

“When am I supposed to see him?”

“Have lunch,” I toss back. Yeah, there’s a hint of sarcasm. “You’re still stalling. Yes or no?”