He nodded in agreement. They hadn’t discussed ways to cross-promote but he knew she had a talent for that sort of thing. Maybe he could stay in touch with her, pick her brain for ideas. A sharp tug pulled at his heart. Staying in touch with her wouldn’t be easy. Not if he wanted any chance of moving on. Presley was all about connections and lifting others up while doing the same for yourself. She was, without a doubt, the coolest, strongest, most beautiful and kickass woman he’d ever met.
And she’s leaving. And you have no right to ask her to stay.
Grayson rubbed his palms against his jeans. “You’re not locked in here, Beck. I know I’ve taken a lot of your time.”
He wanted his dream, but he wasn’t abandoning his family. “I’m still going to be here, Gray. I’ll have time. I’ve got a loan of my own and savings. I’ll be cutting my hours back at Brian’s. I’ll need to be in Smile for rentals, but it’s such a quick trip here, I can probably be here more.”
Once he got things up and running.
“I was going to tell you guys sooner, but I was still on the fence. Then I thought maybe I should offer you the loan. But now… well, I think we can both have what we want.”
Grayson stood up, walked to Beckett, and pulled him into a tight hug, clapping his back a couple of times.
“Goes both ways, man. We’ll do what we can to help you as well.”
A little overwhelmed, a lot happy, he pulled out of his brother’s embrace to give his sister, who’d joined them, a hug.
When his siblings sat back, he noticed Presley all but bouncing on the seat cushion.
“You good?”
She beamed at him. Damn. He’d miss that smile more than sunshine on a gloomy day.
“I’m great. I have something for you guys. A parting gift, if you will,” she said cryptically. She got up and turned on the television and Apple TV.
“Have a seat,” she said to Beckett.
Taking his seat next to Mr. D, he looked her way along with the others.
The screen came alive with a pale green slide. As he sat there, his siblings flanking him, his niece now asleep on the floor, he watched Presley’s slideshow—beautifully and painstakingly made—tie everything together. Their goals, their mission, ideas for improvement and local businesses they’d either connected with or could connect with. There were ideas on merchandising and marketing, and several ideas to reduce cost. One of the slides spoke to the bike rental shop, and Beckett grinned.
The slide looked like a coupon and read:
Get Lost on Beck’s Bikes. Take ten percent off your rental if you’re staying at Get Lost Lodge.
It was nothing short of amazing. He got up again when the slideshow stopped and she stood there staring at the group.
Taking her hands in his, he gripped them, unsure how he could feel so much for someone in such a short period of time.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice a rumbly growl to try and stave off the emotion building in his chest.
“I absolutely love this, Presley, and it’s such amazing timing,” Jill said, pulling their attention.
Beckett pulled Presley to his side and tucked her beneath his arm, where he wished he could keep her as part of him.
“That was excellent. It’ll almost make us look like we know what we’re doing,” Grayson said. He looked at their sister. “You’re right. I know exactly what you’re thinking, and it’s perfect.”
“Want to fill us in?” Beckett asked, feeling like he did as a kid when they shared something between just the two of them.
“I was researching grants and it turns out Smile offers a few every year to local businesses. You have to give a presentation to city council. If you’re okay with us using your presentation, Presley, it might sway things our way. Especially now that we have a sizable investment.” Grayson spoke with a note of reverence, like he couldn’t believe it was all coming together.
“Of course you can use it—and what a fantastic idea.”
He’d never had anyone outside of his immediate family be so invested in their well-being and happiness. This last week, there’d been Presley, Mr. D, Mel, Richard, Bo, and Morgan. Hell, even the Angelo family had jumped in when they’d needed help. Tevin. That was a long list. Loyalty ran through Beckett like a river to the ocean. Family first. Always. But he hadn’t understood how that word could have different meanings.
Everyone talked over one another with their ideas and excitement until it was time to return to helping guests, organizing dinner, going through the to-do list. When they went their own ways to do their own things, him with Presley at his side, he wondered what it would feel like to have his dreams come true with her beside him. Because he was doing this. He had his family’s support. It was happening.
And in two days, he’d feel alone. Successful. But alone.
