Gabriel
"Who knew dad was only worth low six figures." Caleb waves me into his office. "How much do you think I'm worth?"
"A buck ninety-nine on a good day."
"Fuck you," he shoots back with a grin. "You're funny now, too? Who the hell is this woman you're sinking your dick into? She needs a goddamn medal."
I've yet to introduce Isla formally to any of my family. She did have that awkward meeting with my mother at my office, but the moment I explain that she's Lady Amherst's granddaughter, Isla will become the apple of my mother's eye. I already know that. I saw it when my mother listened to Isla playing in the atrium that evening weeks ago.
"Have you spoken to Roman about Caterina?" I walk towards the windows. His office isn't nearly as spacious as mine and the view pales in comparison, but he's content here. His life has evolved the past few months since he married. His time here, in the building, is limited to nine-to-five, no more, often less.
"I broke his heart last night." He shifts restlessly. "I sent him the emails we exchanged with her and an image of the cashed check."
"Will he speak to us again?" I already know the answer to that. My father, although a proud man, is aware of his appeal to the younger women he courts. He knows that they're not drawn to his greying hair and sizable paunch. He may have believed otherwise before today. The fact that his fiancé took a check worth much less than I was prepared to offer is pro
of of her motivations.
Caterina Omari actually took our first offer, with little fanfare. I could almost hear her drooling over the phone. That problem is solved.
"He's coming into town next week." He taps out a message on his smartphone. "We'll do dinner. You can bring the woman who unearthed your personality."
"Fuck you."
"We're done." He gestures back towards the door. "I don't get to dismiss you often so I'm taking pleasure in this."
"How's Rowan?"
"Pregnant."
That pushes me to sit in the chair in front of his desk. "What?"
"You heard me old man." It's the nickname he hasn't since we were in high school. "I'm going to be a dad. Me? Wrap your mind around that."
I can't. Literally, I cannot imagine my younger brother as a father. "She's pregnant?"
"Three months pregnant." He beams. "We don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl, but I don't give a fuck what it is. I'm going to have a child, Gabriel."
I stare at him across the desk. He's only two years younger than me but every time I look at him I see the same eight-year-old kid who used to sit next to me on the stoop of the brownstone we lived in. He'd ask me about all the constellations and I'd point them out, one-by-one, while he sat quietly listening.
Somewhere between then and now he grew up. He got married and now, he's going to be a father. He'll be a good one; an honest and protective one. He'll be remarkable.
"I'm happy for you both." I stand again.
He reaches out his hand as an offering but I ignore it. Instead I round his desk, push his chair back and pull my younger brother into a warm embrace.
***
"Isla flashed her underwear to a customer, sir." Cicely shoots Isla a look across the boutique.
"Did she now?"
She turns towards where I'm standing. "I think that's breaking a rule, sir. She's always breaking the rules."
I study the receipts for yesterday's sales. "I should punish her for that."
"Just look at her now." She nudges her elbow into my side. "Her dress is practically falling open."
I tap my finger on the front counter. "Isla's sales are still the most impressive, Cicely. Yours could stand some improvement."