Chapter 10.02

“Yes. Luckily, Julie sees that I’m not trying to drown her daughter in gold chains or buy Daniel a fleet of sports cars. And reaching a financially comfortable agreement with your parents wasn’t difficult at all.”

“Can I ask why you’re telling me all this?” I asked. “I’m not even part of the family.”

“Because your girlfriend is the biggest challenge in this family, and she might have questions about the apartment,” he laughed. “And if I had to guess, the only reason you’re not part of the family yet isn’t because of you—it’s because Janie is the weak link.”

“What makes you think that? I broke up with her last year,” I asked, surprised.

“That’s true—you made the mistake. But she’s the one afraid to get attached now,” he stated calmly. “She was deeply attached to her father, whom she lost. And after she let you in, you pushed her away. Now, she’s scared to get close again.”

“Yeah, I really messed up last year,” I admitted quietly.

“You didn’t mess up,” he laughed. “She’s with you, isn’t she?”

I smiled and nodded.

“I’m actually much happier with how things turned out,” he added.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“If you had agreed to move in last year, you wouldn’t be together now. Janie would have given up everything for you—including her personality. And you would’ve gotten bored because she wouldn’t have challenged your mind anymore.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I said quietly before standing up.”Dr. Cox,” I said hesitantly. “Can I ask you something? If you don’t want to answer, or if it’s none of my business, just tell me. And I apologize in advance if I sound rude.”

He smiled—he already knew exactly what I wanted to ask.

“Go ahead, Johnny,” he said calmly, curious.

“How true are the rumors about your supposed wealth?” I blurted out in one breath.

“How true are the rumors about your girlfriends before Janie?” he shot back, laughing.

“Oh,” I was caught off guard. “Didn’t know you’d heard about them.”

“Son,” he smiled. “Do you think I wouldn’t gather every bit of information about you—as Janie’s boyfriend—before inviting Julie to dinner? It’s my job. And Brian is one of my closest colleagues,” he reminded me.

“I see,” I said. “So both rumors are equally false,” I laughed.

“Exactly,” he chuckled.

“Jenny only believes one of those rumors,” I said cautiously.

“I know,” he smiled. “And that’s fine—otherwise, she wouldn’t accept even the little she does from me.”

“I get it.”

We left the garage and returned to the living room. Jenny raised an eyebrow at me, and I tapped my nose playfully.

“Adam,” Mrs. Julie spoke up. “Did you check the car?”

“Yes, dear,” Adam replied. “Just had to adjust a cable.”

There was no chance to pull my girlfriend aside now—I was the one being interrogated by her adopted brothers.

After dinner, Jenny walked me to the door.

“Don’t mind the boys,” she said as she closed the entryway door behind us. “They already told me they’d be checking if you deserve me. Suddenly, I have a lot of brothers,” she laughed. I wrapped my arms around her.

“I hope I passed,” I whispered against her lips.

“You did—with me, at least.”

“Babe,” I said. “Kevin is coming back for New Year’s, but I have no idea why.”

“Messyhair,” she ran her fingers through my hair, forcing me to get lost in her eyes. “You said you wanted to be worthy of me,” she teased. “Pay attention to the details.”

“I do,” I declared firmly. “And I am paying attention.”

“Then we’ll see at Paul’s party. I’m not helping this time.”

I went home, and my family asked about Dr. Cox’s family—already mentally planning my wedding. Dad listened with a smile as I recounted the brotherly interrogation I had endured.

“I talked to Dr. Cox,” I told Dad later that evening in private. “I know about the contract and that the rumors about his wealth are as false as the ones about me,” I said quickly.

“Then you know exactly what you’re getting into,” he smiled. “Are you sure you still want this?”

“More sure than ever—I love her,” I said, smiling. “What do you and Mom think? You’ve never really said.”

“We have said,” Dad reminded me. “We have no issue with the question—just wait a few years for the paperwork. But at the rate you two are going, the paperwork might come right after the question,” he laughed.

“I’d definitely wait until after university,” I said.

“Wise decision. Though I doubt the little girl would think otherwise,” Dad chuckled.

The next morning, Jenny arrived after breakfast. After yesterday’s events, my family asked about Dr. Cox’s family and when they’d meet them in person. She wore jeans and a blouse—she hadn’t dressed up.

“Mrs. Simmons and Mom will organize that,” she deflected with a smile.

Then she turned to Amber, motioning for me to join them.

“Amber, please hold onto this envelope,” she said, handing it to my sister. The words New Year’s Secret were written on it.

“What’s this?” Amber asked, just as Kevin and Will walked over.

“Yesterday, your brother was curious about something, but the truth will only come out on New Year’s,” Jenny laughed, deliberately avoiding looking at Kevin. “So I wrote my answer in the envelope. Please keep it safe until then. I’ll come over that day, and we’ll open it together to see if I was right.”