She shook her head, humble to the last drop. “No, Caleb. You’re the hero in our story.”

Thirteen

“Thank you for coming with me,” I said to Whitney as we sat in the backseat of my SUV.

“Of course.” She grinned, rubbing my neck. “I’ve really been looking forward to today.”

“So have I,” Alfred added from behind the wheel, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. “We’ve all been worried about you.”

I smiled at the old man, a face I’d watched age since I was a young kid, working in the mailroom at Hunt Financial. Back then, he had been our maintenance man. A few years ago, when his arthritis had become too painful to continue his job, I’d hired him as my full-time driver.

“I appreciate all the messages you sent,” I said to him. “And the flowers.”

“Happy to do it,” he replied. “I’ll make sure to go real slow and avoid the bumps. Wouldn’t want any setbacks on my watch.”

“Thanks, Alfred.”

I glanced at Whitney as she mouthed, He’s lovely.

My arm slipped around her shoulders, pulling her even closer. “You’re about to meet the whole crew. Are you ready for this?”

“Are you kidding? I’ve been secretly dying to see the mastermind’s playground.”

I laughed; her expression was adorable. “I wouldn’t exactly call it that.”

“I’ve Googled you, Caleb. I’ve seen your accomplishments, and you don’t give yourself nearly enough credit.”

“She’s right about that,” Alfred chimed in. “So, I’ll do the bragging instead.” His gaze was now on Whitney as he stopped at a red light. “Caleb’s been at that company since he was nine, running envelopes to all the staff, working his way up to where he was assisting one of the top advisors when he was only sixteen. Came in every day after school, even when he was in college. They started with one floor of offices, relocating to the building they’re in now, slowly taking over all twenty-six floors of the high-rise. Caleb helped build every bit of that.” His eyes were back on me. “Never seen a family as impressive as theirs. Those Hunts are the most driven, hardworking, and giving people.”

Whitney linked her hand through mine. “I’m learning that.”

“His folks didn’t just raise a good one; they raised the best,” Alfred added, winking at me. “Now, they’re counting down the days to retirement when they can hand over the torch, and Caleb will run the whole show.”

“Hunt Financial is going to you?” Whitney asked me.

I’d woken with a tightness in the back of my throat. It’d only gotten worse, the more Alfred spoke. “Yes.”

“Wow,” Whitney remarked. “I’m in awe right now.”