All the Way by Jennifer Probst

for his death.”
    “Yeah, I guess.” Brando flung the butt on the ground and crushed it beneath his shoe. “Did Pop see any of the scene?”
    “No, he was in the kitchen with Tony.”
    “Are you gonna tell him?”
    “No reason to.”
    Brando nodded. “Thanks.”
    “Nothing to tell. Of course, if he catches you smoking, you’re screwed.”
    “He smokes with his posse.”
    Gavin rolled his eyes. “He’s just showing off for them. He’s always been against cigarettes.”
    “I only have one when I’m stressed. I don’t like it much, anyway.”
    “Okay. I better get inside to Miranda.” He opened the door but his brother’s voice made him turn back around. “Yeah?”
    Brando hesitated. “I know Pop forgives you for leaving. So do I.”
    Relief rushed through him. He hadn’t realized how badly he wanted his brother to understand his regrets. The distance between them melted away. He remembered the day he left. Brando stood on the curb with ferocious resentment and something deeper. Something that kept him up at night the same way Miranda haunted him.
    Betrayal.
    He’d hurt the people he loved the most. Back then, he didn’t give a shit. Today, he knew he’d give up all his money to build back the foundation with them both. His throat tightened with wimpy emotion but he forced himself to sound casual. “Thanks.”
    “Gavin?”
    “Hmm?”
    “I think Miranda Storme will eventually forgive you, too.”
    “God, I hope so. I broke up with her in an email.”
    His brother winced. “Bad move, dude. She still looks into you, though. You probably need to really dig deep. Tell her all your feelings and stuff. Girls like that.”
    Gavin laughed. “I’m trying. But I’m dealing with a ticking time bomb. She knows I need to leave soon, so she’s afraid to trust me.”
    Brando crinkled his brow. “I don’t get it. Why start something with her you may not be able to continue?”
    “I’m gonna take her with me.” The truth smacked him like a wet towel. Until he uttered the words, he hadn’t known how he’d handle the problem of his job. He had a few weeks left to gain back her trust. Her love. Then he’d ask her to come with him.
    Miranda never had the ability to travel and see the world. He imagined showing her various cultures and feasting on gourmet food. She’d probably love writing for an international magazine about her experiences. They’d build a new life on their own terms.
    Yes. This was a win/win.
    “Good plan. But I don’t think she’ll do the second review.”
    Gavin grinned. “You’re probably right. See you back in there.”
    “Gavin?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thanks.”
    His chest tightened and he tried to make sure his voice didn’t sound girly. “No problem.”
    Gavin shut the door behind him.
    …
    He had saved a life.
    Miranda sipped her Chianti in the new lounge and let the lyrics of Tony Bennett soothe her ears. The way Gavin reacted to the crisis gave her a glimpse of both the new and old Gavin. Smoothly in control, he was still able to wrest the lead in a situation and follow it through. That part never surprised her.
    It was the other half. His true humbleness from the gesture. In the past, he wore his arrogance like a cloak, sure of himself in every area. The way he quickly hurried after his brother and didn’t linger on his current hero status told her he’d changed.
    Which did not bode well for her decision to never see him again.
    A familiar voice jolted her thoughts.
    “Miranda Eats?”
    Her gaze flew up to a face she would have rather avoided. Especially tonight. “Allison Speaks.” She practically growled the word of her die-hard competitor. The woman hated her and focused her mission on sabotaging Miranda’s career. Allison Wheaton, food critic extraordinaire and mortal enemy, stood before her. Her proper appearance even on a Friday evening bespoke a woman always on the hunt for the next great find. Her signature black consisted of a pencil skirt, proper pumps,