26

Alistair

“Damn Austin.” I slammed my clipboard down and sank into my chair, hoping I hadn’t taken out my frustrations on the last two suppliers too harshly. “That damn bastard.”

Benedict paused in his task of checking off boxes on his extensive to-do list and looked up from his own clipboard.

I’d been irritable ever since we spotted Austin and Liliana together at the restaurant a couple of days ago. After we left, Benedict wisely avoided bringing it up and had been walking on eggshells around me since then.

I couldn’t believe Liliana was dating Austin.

Of all people. That jerk was the reason I lost the bar in my divorce settlement. He used every dirty trick in the book to ensure I got screwed over.

Benedict laced his fingers together behind his head and stretched.

“Alright, spill it. There’s clearly more to this than just Austin. I’d like to hear the whole story so I don’t inadvertently step into a minefield of your anger later because I said or did something wrong.”

“What are you talking about?” I replied, though my tone lacked conviction.

“You’ve seen Austin around town for years and barely batted an eye at him. Well, maybe a few times early on. But at the restaurant, I thought you were going to pick a fight with him or something. What’s that all about?” His eyebrows shot up. “And don’t give me stress or bad mood excuses. I know you better than that. You don’t let someone like Austin get under your skin that easily.”

“Well, I can be a real jerk when I’m stressed and in a foul mood.”

“You can be. But not usually in public, and not because of some insignificant figure from your past like Austin.”

When I hesitated, Benedict pressed further, “It’s Liliana, isn’t it?”

“He’s her damn boyfriend, Benedict. Can you believe that?” I was on the edge of shouting, so I took a deep breath. “She has no clue what kind of guy Austin really is. He’s no good for her.”

Benedict’s eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into his hairline.

“But you are?”

“I didn’t say that. This is about what a horrible jerk he is,” I replied, glancing down at my clipboard, eager to change the subject.

“Nope. Come clean, Jake. This is about you and Liliana.” He scratched his fingers through his beard. “I see the way you look at her.”

I paused, searching for the right words. Eventually, I gave in and opened up to Benedict about Liliana.

How I’d been more drawn to her than any other woman I’d ever met. How I failed to notice the wedding ring when I should have. How Julian reappeared, and how I backed off.

He was there when Julian proposed and already knew about their breakup. But I confessed about my night with Liliana before she left for New York.

And I confessed how badly I wanted her back, more than anything.

Benedict, being the supportive friend and business partner he was, didn’t try to steer me in any direction. He didn’t judge me for being involved with my brother’s ex or wanting her now.

He simply listened, and after I’d poured out everything, he asked, “Feeling any better?”

I did.

“How’s Julian been lately?” Benedict finally asked. “He seemed to be doing well the last time I saw him. Healthier. Looks like he’s been staying clean and out of trouble.”

“He is,” I replied, feeling a bit of pride that might not have been entirely warranted. “He’s got a new girlfriend, Felicity something, and he seems really taken with her. She’s been sober for a few years now, which I think is really good for him. It seems like he’s finally getting his life together.”

“Glad to hear that,” Benedict nodded. “And I’m glad you two have patched things up so you can see it.”

Benedict clicked his tongue thoughtfully, then sighed. “Does he know any of what you just told me?”

“He doesn’t,” I confessed, running a hand through my hair. “And I have no idea how he’d react.”

Benedict leaned forward on the table. “If you get back with Liliana, his reaction might not be positive. Are you willing to take that risk?”

It was a crucial question. A weighty one.

It had taken Julian a long time to move on from Liliana, even after he got sober. He deeply regretted how things ended, often lamenting that he’d ruined the best thing he’d ever had.

I’d always tried to protect Julian and support him, sometimes maybe too much, sometimes not enough.

But I was tired of sacrificing my own happiness to shield him from disappointment.

“I’ve thought about Liliana for the past three years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, Benedict,” I said earnestly. “I’m going to have to take that risk. When the time is right, and if Liliana is willing to make it work, I’ll tell him everything. There’s no need to upset him unless it’s necessary.”

If Liliana couldn’t be convinced that we were meant to be together, then maybe I’d never have to tell him at all. But that wasn’t a possibility I was ready to face just yet.