Right now she felt as if they were a family. But the day was pretend. Wasn’t it?
CHAPTER TEN
THE WE
EK TURNED into a whirlwind, and Jeremy tried to hit every iconic New York experience he could think of.
One evening he took her to the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and they watched them kick their way through a dance routine that would have had him winded in about thirty seconds. Tori’s eyes had shone as she focused on the stage, her smile bright as she turned to him time and again throughout the show.
Then there were the frenetic lights and sounds of Times Square, filled with tourists. It wasn’t his favorite spot, but she’d wanted to see where the ball would drop on New Year’s Eve. He showed her, and vowed to himself that one day he’d bring her here on December 31 so she could see it for real.
Of course, no trip to Times Square could be enjoyed without a piece of cheesecake from Junior’s, and he bought her pineapple because he thought it was the best. He hadn’t been wrong, it seemed, because she’d savored every bite, laughingly proclaiming that it was for the baby.
There’d been pizza one night, sitting on the carpet and finally watching the original Miracle on 34th Street, and slow but sweet kisses stolen here and there. A trip up the Empire State Building, where she’d held his hand as she looked out over the city, and a more sobering visit to the 9/11 Memorial.
Alas, he couldn’t avoid work altogether, and he’d been sneaking the odd hour here and there to look after things that couldn’t wait. He had to go into his office, though, so he left her the keys and told her to have a relaxing day, wherever that might take her. She’d made noises about wanting to visit the park again, or maybe go to the Met. Both were practically on his doorstep, so he left with no worries about how she’d spend the day.
At one o’clock, he realized he hadn’t eaten lunch, so he decided to pop down to the bottom floor and the restaurant on-site. Before he could get out of the office door, however, two familiar faces came toward him down the hall.
“The two of you here together? Something big must be up.”
Cole Abbott flashed a grin. “Well, Bran said he was coming to see you, and I was going to be in the city, so I thought I’d tag along.”
They exchanged backslapping hugs, then Jeremy turned back around toward his office. “It’s good to see you two.”
“Bran said you had some news. Wouldn’t tell me what it is, though.”
Cole scowled at his companion. Bran was smiling, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, and his cheeks still looked hollow from grief. Jeremy knew exactly what had brought Cole to the city. Worry for their friend.
“Bran’s bought a house in Nova Scotia. Did he tell you that?”
“Yes, so I know that’s not the news. What’s up?”
Jeremy took a moment to look out his office window. He had a great view of the Hudson. He had just about everything a man could want.
He faced the men again and let out a breath. “Well, I’m going to be a father.”
Branson stared at Cole, who sat heavily in a chair in front of Jeremy’s desk. He let out a curse word and ran his hand over his face. “For real?”
Jeremy laughed. “Yeah. Needless to say, it was a surprise for me, too.”
“Who is she? When? How did it happen?”
“Tori, last summer, and the usual way.”
Branson laughed, the sound rusty. “Oh, man. Your face, Cole. This is why I didn’t tell you.”
Jeremy chuckled. “It’s not the end of the world, dude.”
“Are you sure?”
“We’re all nearly thirty-six years old. It was bound to happen to one of us eventually.”
Silence fell. Jeremy suddenly wished he could cut out his tongue. It had happened—to Bran. And then it had been ripped away. All his happiness.
“Oh, Bran, I’m sorry. That was thoughtless.”
Bran waved a hand. “Forget it.”