Rush

Rubbing my jaw, I answer truthfully. “He’s out of town.”

“You’re kidding.” The corners of her lips fall into a frown.

Shaking my head, I sigh. “I’m not. He left early this morning.”

“No.” She reaches to pinch the bridge of her nose. “This can’t be happening. I came from Seattle for his birthday. Is he coming back soon? Please tell me it’s just a day trip, and he’ll be back tonight.”

“He’ll be gone at least a week.” It’s an estimate since Drake left his return date open-ended.

His last vacation was over a year ago, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he stretches this trip out to a couple of weeks or more.

“Dammit,” she says under her breath. “This can’t be happening.”

Since I’m already the bearer of bad news, I stay on that track. She may be Drake’s sister, but I’m in Manhattan for a reason. I’m not about to sideline my plans tonight for anyone, not even a member of my best friend’s family.

“Listen, Emma.” I take a step toward her, jerking my thumb at the open suitcase on the floor. “I had no idea you’d be here. I’m only in town for a few days, and I have plans tonight.”

Her gaze darts to the suitcase. “I’ll put that in the guest room. I can hang out by myself tonight. Please don’t think you have to stay in because of me.”

Fuck.

I need her and her stuff out of here now.

Brushing past me, she drops to her knees to zip up the suitcase. “I should have called Drake to tell him I was coming. Surprises never work out for me.”

I can’t tell if the words she’s muttering are meant for my ears or not.

It doesn’t matter. She’s not hanging out in my apartment tonight. “The woman I’m meeting is coming here.”

Rising to her feet, she looks over at me. “I shouldn’t be here. I need to go.”

I stare at her. She’s Drake’s sister. He’d want me to do the right thing, but I already believe that I am. I’m in New York so I can do what’s best for him. I didn’t count on his sister showing up to throw a wrench in my plans.

“I left a few things in the bathroom.” She glances toward the hallway. “I’ll grab them and get out of your way.”

It doesn’t solve all of my problems, but at least one will be scratched off the list when she leaves.

Watching her walk away, I think about how often Drake has gone to bat for me. He may give me shit when he realizes that I tossed his sister out onto the street, but he’ll forgive me.

I’m doing everything in my power to give him a wedding gift he’ll never forget. If his sister is inconvenienced because of that, so be it.

Disappointment is a part of life.

Chapter 4

Emma

Case Abbott is almost too good-looking.

His shoulders are broad, his chest is wide, and his face is utter perfection.

A sharp jawline combined with full lips and piercing green eyes hit every mark for me.

The skin on his forearms and face is tanned. His hair is a blend of medium brown and what looks like sun-kissed streaks.

Drake once mentioned that his boss likes to surf. It’s impossible not to imagine Case shirtless standing on the beach before he hits the waves.

I shake my head.

What am I doing?

Why am I daydreaming about my brother’s boss when he just kicked me to the curb?

I have to figure out where to go.

Home. I need to go back to Seattle as soon as possible even though that’s the last place I want to be right now.

I scroll through the emails on my phone as I walk down the hallway toward the washroom.

I haven’t even been in New York City for a day. I don’t know what the airline’s policy is about the exchange of return tickets, but they will be my first call.

With any luck, I’ll be on a flight back to Seattle tonight. If that can’t happen, I’ll have to find a cheap hotel to stay at until my travel plans can be altered.

Clicking the phone number link in the reservation email from the airline, I listen while it rings.

I press my way through their automated menu until I’m on hold waiting for an agent.

“We value your business. Please note that your current wait time is approximately…”

I hold my breath, hoping by some miracle, I’ll be talking to a customer service agent in the next twenty seconds.

“Fifty-two minutes.”

“Dammit.” I end the call. “I’ll try changing it online.”

Scouring the email for a link to take me to their website, my gaze lands on the fine print.

Squinting, I read it aloud. “No ticket changes and no refunds permitted.”

This is what I get for buying a discount seat at the last minute. I vaguely recall a warning popping up on my laptop screen about the ticket being non-refundable and changes not allowed, but I quickly skipped reading that in full so I could grab the low price seat.