Callum, who had every right to slam the door in his face, narrowed his eyes for a moment, as if waiting for Brady to say just kidding. Brady took the opportunity to plead his case to the most important person in Sloane’s life.

“I love the bar. I mean, really, I love it. To me it’s family and the only dream I’ve ever had. Then Sloane slapped her hand over my mouth outside of the bathrooms and begged me to keep her secret. After that? I went from a guy who didn’t really like people to wanting to be the Guy. Her guy. Her person. One second I was worried only about the bar, and the next I was reading labels on aloe bottles in the grocery store.” Brady let out a long breath. “I don’t know how she did it, but Sloane made me want to be a better person without me even realizing it.”

“Then why did you reject her?” Callum’s tone was harsh, and Brady deserved it. “She told you she didn’t love Marcus anymore. And, in fact, told Marcus that right after you left.”

That was news to Brady. The video Carol had streamed live online had stopped after Brady had left the lobby.

“Did you think she was lying?” Callum asked.

This had been one of the questions that had slunk around the edges of Brady’s mind the last few days.

Did he really think Sloane was still in love with Marcus?

He shook his head.

No. He didn’t.

“I believe her now, and I think I did then, too,” he admitted. “But reading that blog post just reminded me that she had a life outside of Arbor Bay. One she shouldn’t have to give up for me, a guy who had to fake being nice to people because he’d turned into an asshat after his heart had been broken.”

When Sloane had said she wanted him, Brady had wanted more than anything to kiss her right then and there. But not everyone could ignore their insecurities.

He hadn’t been able to then.

“Then why are you here now?” Callum asked, repeating Brady’s internal monologue before he’d even knocked on the door. “What do you need my help with?”

Brady motioned to the paintbrush in his hand.

“Because, for the first time in my life, I think I might have a new dream.”

It was a simple, honest answer.

One he wanted to share with Sloane, not her brother.

“I just need to find a way to make everything right.”

There it was.

The truth without any insecurities attached.

Brady wanted Sloane, and he was willing to make it work.

If she’d still have him.

Brady tensed, half expecting Callum to tell him to beat it. However, Callum uncrossed his arms. Then he stepped aside.

“So let’s figure out a plan.”