“I’ll tell you all the details as soon as I have them. But he’s moving from LA to San Francisco, so he won’t be staying in a hotel.”
“Oh, okay.”
I nod, my mind back to Audrey as we reach the row of treasure-hunting games. I choose the diamonds-themed one, and then we head to the cashier line. The stack of magazines next to the counter catches my attention. Two gossip magazines show Alex on the cover, looking very low-key, even sporting an unkempt beard
in one. The titles underneath are as speculative and cutting as ever: “No real-life superhero. Why did Amy leave him?” And “Lose the hobo look, Alex. No wonder Amy left you.”
My stomach sinks. I hope Alex isn’t seeing everything that’s being written about him. Next to me, Daniel shakes his head, his gaze on the headlines as well. We pay quickly, heading out of the store. We parked next to each other, and as we reach our cars, Daniel says, “Just one thing. Promise you won’t be starstruck around Alex.”
My brother knows me all too well. Among my many, many faults, the top are: only realizing a guy is an ass too late, a chronic inability to stop after eating one muffin, and... being starstruck whenever Daniel introduces me to one of his clients.
“I promise I’ll try,” I say truthfully, pushing my hair out of my face as a gust of wind ruffles my shoulder-length dark hair.
Daniel presses his lips together, smiling. “You’re lucky I love you so much.”
“You have no choice. I’m your baby sister.”
Even though I’m twenty-eight, I still love the sound of baby sister. So much sweeter than youngest sister.
“And thanks again for getting him to agree to the visit,” I add before Daniel can admonish me more. Plus, I really do intend to keep the fangirling to a minimum. I have a feeling Alex needs peace and quiet. The guy agreed to visit St. Anne’s when he could have easily declined, so I’m determined to make an effort.
“No problem. Do you want to go grab dinner?”
“Nah, I have to go back to the gallery. I just wanted to get to the store before it closed.”
“Okay. I’ll send you all the details about Alex’s visit as soon as possible. And remember your promise, okay?”
Sighing, I stand on my tiptoes, kissing my brother’s cheek. “Yes, yes. No need to be insufferable about it. Kiss Caroline and the kids for me.”
“Will do.”
As I climb into my car, I’m mentally planning the party. I arrive at the gallery after closing time. All the patrons have left, and my colleagues Jacob and Diana are already wrapping up the Monet collection. We’re shipping it back to Paris tomorrow.
“Olivia’s already gone,” Jacob informs me, mimicking the act of wiping sweat from his brow. Our boss isn’t the easiest person to work with. Grabbing the Bubble Wrap, I help him cover one of the larger paintings.
“Hey, don’t be so brusque,” I admonish when he turns the painting so abruptly it nearly slips between his fingers.
“I have a date tonight, and I don’t want to be late. New girl, first impression counts.”
I point a finger at him in warning. “Not a good enough reason to do a half-assed job. The paintings must be handled with love and care.”
Diana narrows her eyes at him. “Summer, I suggest you and I finish the job before Jacob mucks it up because he’s hurrying.”
Jacob grins. “That was exactly my plan.”
“Go, go, go. Don’t unleash your non-humor on the poor girl right away,” Diana says, shooing him away. Then she pouts in my direction. “Why is it that he gets more romantic action than we do?”
I bite back a laugh. “Must be his non-humor.”
I don’t remember the last time I went on a date, and it doesn’t look like my luck in the dating department will change anytime soon, but I’ll be seeing the one and only Alex Westbrook in the flesh. How is that for a silver lining?
Chapter Two
Alex
“I can come straight to your house after the viewing and deal with the movers,” my sister says into the phone.
“Sophie, stop fussing over me. I’ll deal with them.”