My One And Only (Very Irresistible Bachelors 5)

“Exactly. We’ll deal with this one step at a time. Want to go for cake? I have some time before I need to head back to Manhattan for the fashion show.” It wasn’t a terribly important show, but I’d gotten a ticket, and I always found shows good for my creativity. I’d been in a lull lately, what with splitting my time between coordinating the delivery and assembly of the furniture and lighting devices for the new store, approval of website designs, and so on.

“I can’t. I need to pick up Jonas from Mom’s.” Biting her lip, she added, “I feel like I’m failing you, Tess.”

“What? Why?” I was shocked.

“It’s just that lately, you seem to do the brunt of the work, and I just keep missing out on things. Half the time, I’m not even sure where my head is.”

“Sis, you have a baby. You’re bound to need time to find your balance. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’ve got this.”

“So you’re not upset?”

“Do I seem upset?”

“I don’t know. I feel all over the place lately. I thought I was supposed to stop being hormonal once the pregnancy was over, but it seems not.”

“Skye! I’m not upset,” I assured her. I was so happy everyone still lived by the no-secrets policy. So, so glad.

“Okay. Thanks for being so supportive. I’m going to start an online yoga course this evening. Hopefully it’ll help me find my balance.”

“Yikes. Have fun.”

“One of these days, I’m gonna talk you into trying one with me.”

“I did try a few, remember? Nearly broke my neck.”

Skye rolled her eyes. “You and Rob are no fun. I can’t convince either of you.”

I nudged her shoulder. “Maybe you should try running instead.”

“Hell no.”

She kissed my cheek before flagging down a passing cab. Workouts were one area where Skye and I never agreed. Before she met Rob, we didn’t have the same views on love either.

That reminded me of another skeptic who would soon move to New York.

After Skye left, I walked leisurely toward the neighborhood and called Dylan. It was a gorgeous autumn day, and I wanted to stay outdoors for a while longer. I loved New York in the fall—the mix of golden, red, and brown leaves, the chilly air, and the multitude of cozy wintery snacks like pumpkin lattes and cinnamon rolls. Now that Isabelle mentioned Halloween, I saw signs of it everywhere. And speaking of lattes...I couldn’t resist and bought one from a mobile coffee cart while waiting for Dylan to pick up.

“Tess, what a surprise,” he said instead of hello.

“What’s this I hear about you and Ian moving to New York?”

Dylan chuckled. “Which sister spilled the beans?”

“Isabelle. Why did you not say anything when we were at the cabin?” We’d all been there at the end of summer.

“Because it was still in the planning phases. Why are you calling? Is everything okay with Isabelle?”

“Yes, Skye and I were at her practice, giving her tips for organizing an event for her clients. One thing led to another, and we started talking about you.”

“Of course.”

“She mentioned that you’re still a bit moody.”

“Tess...”

“No, this is just a warning so you know Isabelle is on your case.”

Usually, I liked to call things like they were, but Dylan needed a more veiled approach.