Declan’s eyes darken. “Stranger? I’ve known you since you were about her age.”
Lana gives him a once-over. “So? I haven’t seen you since you were stealing my dolls because you wanted to play with them.”
Zahra giggles into her wineglass while Iris howls with laughter, her hand slapping the table as she sucks in deep breaths.
Declan frowns, a tinge of pink creeping up his cheeks. “My action figures needed to save the damsel in distress.”
Iris pats his shoulder. “No need to be self-conscious. An active imagination is a sign of a healthy childhood.”
“Sure, it is.” Zahra lifts her wineglass in a mocking cheer.
Declan glares at Lana in a way that makes most grown men piss themselves. Lana laughs, the sound filling all the cracks of my broken heart with her warmth.
The conversation changes, although the steady feeling of contentedness pumping through my veins never wanes. If anything, it only intensifies as the night continues. Iris and Lana break off into a corner, laughing at whatever blackmail they are exchanging at my expense.
Eventually, Zahra and Lana come out carrying the two cakes, both of which are covered in lit candles. Iris begins clapping her hands and singing happy birthday. My brothers begrudgingly chime in, their enthusiasm on par with a funeral march.
“Make a wish, old man,” Lana whispers in my ear.
Wax drips down the candles and lands on the icing. Cami comes up to my side and bounces on the balls of her feet with excitement, so I lift her up and place her on my lap.
“Wanna help me out? It’s a lot of candles.”
“Yes!” She grins, her two eyes bright orbs rivaling the sun.
Together, we blow out every single candle except for one. I take a deep breath and repeat the same wish in my head from before.
I wish to kick my addiction for good.
Getting dry is one thing, but staying sober is a completely different animal. One that I’ve battled and lost already.
Failing isn’t an option this time. I want to triumph. Overcome. Evolve.
I want to shed the addiction that feels like an anchor wrapped around my neck, keeping me from rising above the demons holding me down, almost as much as I want to become a man worthy of Lana and Cami.
No matter how long it takes me to get there.
45
ALANA
Cami pushes her empty plate in front of her. Usually I don’t let her have sweets this late, but tonight is a special occasion.
“Can I go play now?” she asks.
“Sure.”
She bolts from the table, her feet slapping against the wood as she escapes with her dolls.
“She’s so cute.” Iris shoots me a warm smile.
Zahra plucks the crown off Rowan’s head and places it on her own. “Seriously. I see a lot of kids every day, and yours makes the top five.”
I bite back a smile.
“You made this?” Rowan stabs his spoon through his second piece of the tres leches cake.
“Yup.” I swipe at some of the dulce de leche glaze.
“It’s good.” Declan shuts his eyes as he takes another bite.
To most people, good is a basic compliment, but from Declan, it’s considered high praise.
“So good.” Iris licks her fork clean.
My cheeks ache from how hard I smile.
“Told you my girl could bake.” Cal wraps his arm around the back of my chair.
I swear, every single time he calls me his girl, my heart skips a beat before returning to its normal programming.
“We could definitely have something like this in our shops.” Rowan assesses the cake on the stand from all angles.
My breath catches. “Really?”
“How much do you charge?” The change in him is instant as he switches from family man to business entrepreneur.
“Umm…nothing?”
“Hmm.” Declan’s gaze slides from me to his brother.
“What?” I blurt out.
“Name a price.” Rowan neatly places his spoon beside his plate.
“For a cake? Why?” I look over to Cal for help, but he remains aloof. If it weren’t for the way his fingers stopped twirling my hair, I wouldn’t think he was actively listening.
Rowan’s eyes connect with mine. “Because I’m interested in buying your recipe.”
“What for?”
“We’ve been considering expanding our Princess Marianna section in the park, and I want this to be a part of it.”
The room spins around me as I take in everything he is saying.
“So, name a price.” He folds his hands over his lap.
Cal pulls me closer and whispers in my ear, “Tell him you’ll think about it.”
My brows furrow. “But—”
“It will only make him want it more. Trust me.”
This calculating version of Cal isn’t one I’m used to, and it’s a major turn-on. Naturally, I listen to him. “I’ll need to get back to you.”
Rowan’s lips press together. “I’ll give you a million.”
My eyes widen. “For a recipe?”
Cal shakes his head ever so slightly.
Rowan glares at him. “Stop influencing her.”
“I will when you stop giving her bad offers. The park makes about twenty million in a single day, and a good chunk of that comes from food and beverages. With how many people come through the golden gates ready to open their wallets and their stomachs, Alana deserves more. And don’t think I forgot how much you spent on buying that secret Hawaiian frozen drink recipe.”
My mouth drops open.
Damn. Where has this business savvy Cal been hiding my whole life and how soon can I fuck him?
Rowan’s eyes sparkle with admiration. “I thought you weren’t paying attention in meetings.”
“The worst mistake you could have made was underestimating me.” Cal winks, making my stomach muscles tighten from the wave of pleasure swirling inside of me.
Iris raises her wineglass. “To the smartest Kane.”
Declan shoots her a glare, and Iris ignores him as she sips her drink.
I give Cal’s hand a squeeze before looking up at Rowan. “I need to think about it. That recipe has been in my family for years, and I’m not sure how I would feel about giving it up, especially when I wouldn’t have control over the final product.”
Sharing it with Chef Gabriel was one thing, but handing it over to the Kanes feels like a risk I’m not too sure about.
“What’s your number?” Rowan pulls out his phone.
“Why? So you can add her to the group chat too?” Declan’s eyes narrow.
Iris swats Declan on the back of his head, making his perfectly styled hair go everywhere.
Zahra snorts into her wineglass. “Serves you right.”
I recite my number so Rowan can save it.
“We’ll be in touch.”
Cal sighs. “Are we done talking business now? I hear Declan got some Cubans to celebrate my thirty-fourth trip around the sun and I’m dying to try them.”
And just like that, the conversation is tabled, although the excitement building in my chest at the idea of Rowan buying my recipe doesn’t go away.
The boys leave the house to go outside and smoke the cigars Declan bought, leaving us to bond over drinks. Well, Zahra and Iris each nurse a glass of wine while I stick to my water.