Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 1)

“You gave her office space, but I didn’t realize you spent enough time together to be familiar with each other’s work patterns.”

“She occasionally runs things past me.”

“In that case you need to tell her to chill a little. Urban Genie isn’t going to fold if she takes a night off. She’s working too hard. I hardly ever see her and she’s missed movie night three weeks in a row. Come to think of it, so have you.”

“I’ve been busy.”

Chase finished his beer. “After what happened, I’d like to see her make a big success of this. And not just because Star Events deserves to have some serious competition. Does she need backing? Because I’d be prepared to—”

“Don’t even suggest it.” Matt potted the ball. “My sister takes independence to a whole new level. If she hasn’t done it by herself, she thinks it doesn’t count.”

“Matilda was horrified when she discovered they’d all lost their jobs. Whose idea was it to set up on her own?”

“Jake’s. At the time I didn’t agree. I thought it was too soon.” Matt flicked him a glance. “But you were right.”

Jake reached for another beer. “I’m always right.”

“Not always, but this time you were. I’ve never seen her happier. She bounces into the house and she’s smiling from dawn to dusk.”

Jake shifted uncomfortably. He was pretty confident he knew why Paige was smiling, and Urban Genie was only part of it. “I’m glad she’s happy.”

“You’ve given her a lot of time. Been patient.” Matt’s expression was serious. “I haven’t thanked you enough for everything you’ve done for her. You’ve given her a lot of time and attention.”

Knowing just how much time and attention he’d given her made Jake sweat. Guilt rubbed over his skin like sandpaper.

“Forget it.”

It was time to be honest with Matt. He wished they’d just told him after that first night, as he’d wanted to. What was he going to say now?

I’m having sex with your sister.

That one would earn him a black eye before he’d finished the sentence.

Guilt mingled with irritation.

Hell, she was happy, wasn’t she? Surely Matt should be pleased about that.

He’d tell him the truth. It wasn’t as if that much time had passed. They’d only been seeing each other a few weeks.

“So how about you, Jake?” Chase stood up and put his beer down, ready for his turn. “Which woman is occupying your time right now?”

“That’s a good question.” Matt’s gaze was speculative. “He’s been very quiet about his love life lately. Whoever it is, she’s taking up more of his attention than usual.”

Jake stirred uneasily. “I don’t have a love life. I have a sex life.”

“You’ve been seeing the same woman for a while.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m in love. Just means the sex is great.” So whatever he had with Paige had lasted longer than any of his other relationships. So what? Why the hell would he walk away from great sex? Jake stepped up for his turn and kept his eyes fixed on the ball while he tried to rationalize his actions. Paige understood him.

She understood that they were having fun.

In fact she was close to his perfect woman. Sexy, good-humored and happy to live in the moment.

Matt strolled around the table. “Whoever she is, she’s got your attention. She’s obviously hot—that goes without saying. Blonde or brunette? Give us a hint. And why haven’t you brought her over to Romano’s?”

Because she already spent as much time at Romano’s as he did. And each time they went there as a group it became harder to behave as if nothing had changed. He no longer remembered what “normal” was. How he’d behaved before they’d taken intimacy to a whole new level.

The truth was he hadn’t thought it would last this long. Normally when he began a relationship he was already planning when he’d end it.