Chapter 270

Brandon's POV

"What's this about, Grandpa? When did you start getting into this kind of thing?" Summer asked, turning the ornate silver lock over in her palm.Her confusion mirrored my own as I stared at the blank sheet of paper in my box.

"Come on." I said. I tucked the boxes into my jacket pocket. "Let's go home. I'm sure the professor has his reasons."

As we drove back toward the Hamptons, I glanced over at Summer, who'd fallen uncharacteristically quiet. Her fingers traced the edge of Thompson's envelope, her eyes distant and unfocused. Whatever was running through that beautiful mind of hers had completely captured her attention.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, but she didn't respond, lost in her thoughts.

By the time we pulled into the driveway of our estate, she still hadn't snapped out of her daze. I parked the car and reached over, gently touching her forehead to break her trance.

"Hey.Where'd you go?"

Her eyes refocused, widening suddenly as she jolted back to reality."Oh!Weren't we supposed to get fireworks for tonight? We haven't bought anything for New Year's!"

"Get out of the car," I said simply, nodding toward her door.

Summer's confusion turned to shock as she stepped out and saw the mountain of fireworks boxes stacked neatly by our front entrance. Her jaw dropped comically.

"What the-how did these -" she stammered.

James appeared from beside the house, perfectly composed despite the late hour and holiday. "Mr. Stark, Mrs. Stark," he greeted us with a slight bow.

"Everything has been arranged according to your specifications,sir."

I nodded, satisfied with his efficiency. "Good work." I pulled out my car keys and tossed them to him. "Happy New Year, James."

His eyes widened as he caught the keys, his usual stoic demeanor momentarily cracking. "Thank you, Mr. Stark! Thank you, Mrs.Stark!"

Summer blinked in confusion. "Me? What are you thanking me for?"

I cut in before James could respond. "Take the next three days off,James."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He nodded respectfully before heading toward my Range Rover, his steps noticeably lighter.

Summer watched him go, her brow furrowed. "Why was he so excited about keys?"

Inside. I'd already slipped off my shoes and was holding out her house slippers when she finally stepped through the door,still distracted.

"What's on your mind? You've been somewhere else all evening," I said,offering her the slippers.

She blinked, focusing on me. "Nothing. Just... why did you make James work on New Year's? And why did he look so happy about it?"

"A Range Rover," I replied simply.′′Put these on."

Her eyes widened as understanding dawned. "Wait, is that why he was so excited about the keys? You *gave* him your car?"

"Mm-hmm." I guided her into our warm living room, where the television

was already on, playing the New Year's Eve coverage from Times Square.

Summer immediately kicked off her slippers and curled up on the sofa.patting the space beside her. I settled next to her, pulling her against my chest as she nestled into me, her body fitting perfectly against mine.

"James has been with me for years," I said, absently stroking her hair."If you ever need anything when I'm not around, go to him directly."

She tilted her head up to look at me, her eyes soft. "Brandon."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I love you," she said simply, her voice quiet but certain.

I raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden declaration. "Saying you love me out of nowhere? What do you want?"

"Nothing!" she protested, her cheeks flushing adorably. "I just realized how much more I love you now."

"Is that so?" I leaned closer, my voice dropping. "Well, it just so happens I love you more too."

I felt her heart rate accelerate against my chest, her skin warming under my touch. She pulled back suddenly,her face scarlet.

"God, you're embarrassing!" she said, scooting to what she apparently considered a "safe distance" and covering her face with her hands. "No,I mean-I just want to watch TV!"

I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips as I watched her flustered reaction. Even after all this time, I could still make her blush like a schoolgirl.

My phone interrupted the moment, buzzing insistently in my pocket. I checked the screen-Sarah. With a sigh, I answered.

"Brandon, where are you?" My sister's voice was tense. "Grandfather and Father are waiting for you at home."

"Go ahead without me," I replied coolly. "Don't wait."

"That's not acceptable!" She sounded genuinely distressed. "Brandon, you've never missed the family gathering. What's going on? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." I cut her off. "Just tell Grandfather and Father I won't be coming today."

"Brandon!" Sarah's voice rose. "You've been there every year. If you don't show up, it'll cause chaos in the family. Tell me why you-"

"The Stark family won't collapse without me for one night," I said firmly."They have plenty of people there. A gathering like that-I'm not missing much. Look, I have to go."

I hung up and tossed the phone aside, pinching the bridge of my nose to stave off the headache I could feel building. A moment later, Summer appeared with a steaming cup of tea, her face etched with concern.

"What's wrong?" she asked gently.

"Nothing. Just some work matters," I lied, not wanting to burden her.

She saw right through me. "Brandon, don't lie to me. That was the Stark mansion calling, wasn't it? You don't have to stay with me-you should go.

11

"I promised I'd be with you," I said, taking the tea from her hands.

"But your family-"

"No one is more important than you," I cut her off, powering down my phone and tossing it aside. "June, no one matters more than you. Family

gatherings happen every year." I looked up at her, deliberately changing the subject. "Want to set off some fireworks now?"

"Wait. let me change first," she said, heading for the stairs. "It's cold outside."

I watched her disappear upstairs, returning moments later in a light purple sweater, carrying a heavy coat for me. She'd bundled herself up like a porcelain doll, with a scarf, hat, and gloves. I couldn't help the surge of tenderness that washed over me at the sight.

"So where are we doing this?" she asked excitedly. "The yard or the roof?What do you think it's like watching fireworks from the rooftop?"

"Want to find out?" I asked, lifting two boxes of fireworks. "Let's go up and see. We can come back for the rest later."

As we headed toward the stairs, Summer pulled out her phone and started recording."Brandon, say hi to the camera! Come on, wave or something!"

She was walking backward up the stairs, so focused on filming that she missed a step. I dropped the boxes and lunged forward, catching her before she could fall.

"Careful!" I scolded, my heart racing at how close she'd come to tumbling down the stairs. "I swear I need to tie a rope around you and attach it to my belt.Maybe then you'd stop bouncing around like this."

She just laughed, completely unfazed by her near-accident, and skipped ahead of me up the stairs to the glass-enclosed rooftop.

I shook my head, gathering up the fireworks boxes. This woman would be the death of me-and yet I couldn't imagine spending New Year's Eve any other way.