Page 135 of The Last Goodbye

“You know, she used to be a fairly happy person. But over the years, all the money, her volatile relationship with our father—she’s changed. I understand her feeling hurt and betrayed by him, but she’s always had the option to leave. She never gets mad at him for anything that he’s done, and she takes all of her anger out on you. I want you to know that after you left the house on Dad’s birthday weekend, she and I had it out about the way that she’d treated you. The way that she’s treated you over these last few years. I let her know that it was no longer okay, and I would be stepping in if it happened again.” He squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner. Seeing Bass stand up for you—it was a wake-up call. I’d chalked it up to just weird family dynamics, but it’s so much more than that. You deserve better, Briar.”

“The best thing that has come out of finding my family twenty years later is not my relationship with Dad, nor the fact that I work for the family business now. Truly, it’s been my relationship with you. You feel like family, Denton, and that’s something I have been searching for.”

“Hell, I didn’t like hanging out with our family until you arrived.” He chuckled as he wrapped me in a hug. “You’ve been the light that was missing all along. I love you, sis.”

My chest squeezed, and I pulled back, sniffling a few times. And for whatever reason, I didn’t hesitate. “I love you, too.”

He held my gaze for a beat, and the corners of his mouth turned up. He nodded, eyes slightly wet with emotion.

“You and Bass are flying back home tomorrow?” he asked, clearing his throat as he composed himself.

“Yes. We’re just packing up my things today, and I’ll have the movers bring everything out to me once I figure out where I’m going to be living in Blue Sky Bay long-term.”

“Sounds good. And Jessica and I are serious about coming out next month to see you guys.” He gave me one last hug.

“I’m counting on it.” I waved as we both turned in opposite directions.

Once I started walking, I spotted him.

Bass Bennett.

Sitting on a park bench, staring down at his phone.

My heart pounded at the sight of him. He was here. Just in case I’d needed him.

I blinked several times as this overwhelming feeling of joy came over me.

Bass Bennett was my person.

I started jogging toward him, just as he looked up and smiled.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I walked over to him.

“Hey. I was just looking at some photos that Cutler sent of the restaurant.” He stood and took my hand. “I wanted to be nearby in case there were any issues.”

We walked toward my apartment, hand in hand. “It went really well. I’m a proud new resident of Blue Sky Bay, and a fifty-one percent owner of the future Blue Sky Inn.”

He came to a stop. “You did it. He fucking agreed to everything?”

“He did.” I smiled up at him.

“Damn, Magpie. You are such a badass.”

I bit my bottom lip as we continued toward the apartment.

“It’s a win. I got the job and the guy.”

“Oh yeah? Tell me about this guy of yours.”

“He’s a sexy chef with a hard outer shell, but he’s all heart beneath.”

“Only for you, baby.” He winked at me. “Let’s go home. You and me.”

“Yes, please.” Because this man was my home.

I wasn’t sure what it was—but for the first time since my mother had passed away, I felt content and loved and safe.

Bass Bennett filled a gaping hole that had lived in the center of my heart for years.