Rush

“What the hell do you think?” I shoot back.

“I think she’s your best friend’s sister so you’re behaving yourself.” He tugs on the lapels of my jacket to straighten it. “So, what’s she doing here with you?”

“Bad timing,” I answer smoothly. “She came to New York to surprise Drake.”

Furrowing his brow, his gaze darts to the hallway and the closed guestroom door. “Why would she come here when he’s taken off to get hitched?”

“She didn’t know.”

“She didn’t know?” he repeats. “All of Manhattan knew. You knew. How the fuck did she not know?”

It’s a question that I don’t have an answer to. I won’t have an answer until Drake gets in touch, and I have no idea when that will be.

Chapter 9

Emma

Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I smile. I look nice. I traded the white shorts for skinny black jeans and slipped a pink blazer over my T-shirt. With the addition of two silver necklaces and a brush of my hair, I look good.

It’s not Manhattan chic, but it will have to do.

Sliding on the only pair of heels I brought with me, I spin in a circle.

This is the first time I’ve gone out to dinner in New York with anyone but Drake.

I never expected that I’d be heading to a restaurant with Case and his cousin, but I’m up for any adventure that falls in my path.

Two good-looking, well-dressed men and a glass of red wine is the perfect end to this day.

Cracking open the guestroom door an inch, I freeze when my phone buzzes in my purse.

Anxiety crawls up my spine. I’ve been dodging text messages all day from my sister. Whitney wants to know how Drake is since he hasn’t answered any of her calls for the past two days.

It’s not my place to tell her that he’s in Ireland celebrating his nuptials.

I fish in my bag for my phone and glance at the screen.

My heart rate kicks up.

For the first time today, the incoming text isn’t from Whitney. It’s from my other sibling.

Drake: Hey Em! You’re in NYC? WTF? We need to talk. Are you free in 10 minutes?

Part of me wants to ignore his text.

It’s well after midnight in Ireland. He might go to sleep soon, which means I could push back this conversation until tomorrow. That would give me time to calm down so I don’t say anything I’ll regret to my brother.

He chose to get married without telling me. He must have had his reasons, so I need to hear him out.

I will hear him out. Tonight.

I shoot him back a quick message.

Emma: I’m free.

Clutching my phone in my palm, I open the door to find Case and Gavin standing at the entrance to the hallway.

“Are you ready?” Gavin asks with a smile.

The dimples must be a family trait. He’s just as good-looking as his cousin, but I don’t feel something deep inside of me light up when I look at Gavin.

It’s there the moment my gaze shifts to Case.

“My plans have changed.” I glance down at my phone. “I’m expecting an important call. I don’t want to miss it.”

“Maybe another time?”

I look up when Gavin asks the question. “Maybe.”

“We’ll get out of here and give you some privacy, Emma.” Case turns to his cousin. “Let’s go.”

Gavin stays in place even though Case has started walking to the door. “It was good to meet you, Emma. I’m sure I’ll see you around again.”

I offer him a grin in response before I head back into the guestroom, shutting the door behind me.

***

“Are you good, Em?”

It’s how my brother starts every conversation we have. I almost always respond in the same way; I lay out everything that’s wrong in my life and then wait for him to offer advice for me to fix things.

I don’t travel that route tonight because this conversation isn’t about what’s going on with me. It’s about the major life decision that Drake has made.

“I’m fine,” I answer.

I sit on the edge of the bed. My hands are trembling. Since I heard the apartment door shut behind Case and Gavin, I put the call on speaker.

“How are you?” I ask him, hoping that it will lead to a confession.

“Happier than I’ve ever been.” His voice is joyful. I can hear the emotion in every word. “I’m so fucking happy right now.”

Tears form in my eyes.

“Tell me why,” I whisper.

I don’t know if Case gave Drake a heads-up that I know about his elopement, but I want to give my brother the chance to tell me in his own words. I need that. I sense he does do.

“I’m getting married, Em.” His voice quakes. “Can you believe I’m getting married?”

I thought he was married by now.

“You’re getting married?” I manage to ask.

“I can’t believe it either.” He laughs softly. “I thought you’d tie the knot before me.”