“I’m really sorry about your mom. I visited her when she was hospitalized.”
“Yes, Dad told me. Thank you. She’s home now.”
“It’s the best place for her.” His eyes finally shifted to Michelle.
“Bryce,” Erik said, reading the questions in his eyes. “This is Michelle Carter. Michelle, Bryce Fontaine, the man who owns half of Granite Falls. I’m sure you saw his name over every building as we drove through town today.”
“He’s exaggerating,” Bryce said, taking the hand Michelle offered. “It’s always nice to meet Erik’s friends. And I must tell you, you’re the most beautiful one so far.” He kissed the back of hand.
“Thank you,” Michelle said, placing her hands on her lap and smiling demurely at the compliment.
“How long will you be in town?” Bryce asked Erik.
“Until Sunday, hopefully. I didn’t get a chance to call the boys yet.”
“Well Adam and Massimo are both in Italy on business. Give me a call tomorrow. We could putt a few balls at the country club for old time’s sake. And I’m sure Jason would love to see Precious.” He paused. “When are you moving back home, man? We all miss you.”
Erik chuckled. “I’m seriously thinking about it, Bryce.” He’d been thinking about it for about a year now. But he was happy he hadn’t, or else he wouldn’t have met Michelle.
“What’s to think about? Just do it. I’ve taken up enough of your evening. Give my regards to your father, and Danielle.” He turned to Michelle and bowed. “It was lovely meeting you, Michelle Carter,” he said before turning and disappearing as quickly as he’d appeared.
“That’s a very large man,” Michelle said.
“Oh, but extremely harmless. He’s also a widower. Lost his wife a few years ago. Unfortunately, he wasn’t as lucky as me?”
“What do you mean?”
“They weren’t married long enough for her to give him a child. He still isn’t over her.”
“You’re also still in love with Cassie,” she said softly. “I see it in your eyes each time you talk about her.”
“I will always love Cassie, but it doesn’t mean I can never love another woman.” He curled his fingers around his glass of club soda. He could really do with a stiff drink, but he didn’t want to make Michelle uncomfortable. He knew why she didn’t eat red meat. He wondered at her reasons for not drinking alcohol. Anyway, he liked that she didn’t. It wouldn’t be good for his babies when he finally put them inside her. He held up his glass. “Let’s make a toast.”
“To what?”
“A newly discovered friendship—one I hope will deepen into something special and last for many, many years.” He chinked his glass to hers.
“Here, here,” Michelle said.
“You know, Precious will be going back to school in a few weeks, so you’ll have a lot of time on your hands,” he said placing his glass on the table.
“And you’re wondering how I would spend all that free time, especially when you’re paying me such an enormous salary.” Amusement flickered in her eyes.
“I know where you’ll be spending your free time. The same place you’ve been spending it whenever you get the chance. How’s your book coming?”#p#分页标题#e#
“I’m almost done the first draft, but it’s hard to write when I’m not with the kids. I get my inspiration from being around them, seeing them almost every day.”
“Well, like I said, you’ll have a lot more time once Precious returns to school.” He paused. “I know you’ve been leaving Precious with Mrs. Hayes when you go to Manchester. You have my permission to take her with you if you want to. I know she’ll be safe with you.”
“Thanks, Erik. I’ll take good care of her.”
Their meals arrived and as they enjoyed the succulent lobster dishes, Erik lightened the conversation by telling Michelle all about growing up in Granite Falls, but especially about his best friends Bryce, Adam, and Massimo—very wealthy and powerful men in the area. He told her that they used to be known as the Billionaire Bachelors of Granite Falls until he broke the mold and married Cassie, then shortly after Bryce followed. The Italian cousins Massimo and Adam were never married. In fact, they were notorious playboys.
Michelle hadn’t even realized that Erik’s family was so wealthy until he mentioned private jets and mini yachts. Well, she should have known when they drove up to that mansion on the hill. As it turned out, his father’s family owned a chain of Canadian banks. He came from old, old money, and yet he was so humble, so grounded, and balanced. He must have gotten that quality from Felicia, although she had to admit, his father was very down to earth as well.