Dirty Wedding

"I'll admit," he says, "I asked your assistant if you were seeing someone. She invoked her NDA, of course, but the way she giggled—"

"She has a crush on you."

"It wasn't that kind of giggle."

"You're an expert?"

"On when a woman wants me? Yes."

"It must be painful, being so irresistible."

"It is. Thank you for acknowledging it."

My laugh eases the tension in my jaw. This isn't about Laura. He isn't here to berate me for keeping her secret.

He doesn't know I kept her secret.

That guilt is mine and mine alone.

His inability to trust, his need to run from intimacy—

Maybe I'm not completely responsible, but I certainly didn't help things.

I clear my throat. Take another sip of cold brew. Try to forget his ex-wife's name.

Ian is happy now.

He's in love.

He trusts his girlfriend.

That mistake I made, keeping his ex-wife's confidence—

I thought it was for the best. That it would hurt him the least. It wasn't all selfish.

Was it?

My brother places his hand on the armrest. He gives me a chance to confess, tease him, brag about making Indigo come.

When I don't, he continues, "If you want me to go, I will. I'll tell Mum you're fine. I'll tell Eve you're fucking interns in the break room—"

"Don't."

"You care what she thinks of you?"

"She's good company."

His girlfriend is passionate, witty, intelligent. She can discuss classic literature or punk rock for hours.

And she knows.

I told her I kept his ex-wife's secret.

I thought it would help her understand why Ian can't trust anyone. Why he'd ask more than was fair.

It did. It must have. She's still here.

But—

I push it aside. Try to tease him back. "She's smart. Too smart for you."

"Undoubtedly," he says. "But she doesn't like me for my intellect."

My laugh eases the tension in my shoulders. Maybe he's only here to say hello. Maybe this isn't an inquisition.

He doesn't need to know. It will only hurt him more.

Even so—

Ian won't approve of my arrangement with Indigo. And if he finds out I withheld any part of the truth—

No matter how badly I want to tell him, I can't.

"What did she say about the pictures?" I ask.

"It's nine o'clock. It's her summer. I doubt she's seen them."

"When she does?"

"You saw her three weeks ago."

And when Ian was in the bathroom, she told me casual didn't suit me. She supported whatever I wanted. But I looked exhausted. Worn. Like I was tired of running in circles.

She's right. Of course.

She is a smart woman.

Don't get me wrong. I don't approve. She's nineteen now; she was eighteen when he offered her half a million dollars for her virginity.

It's all very complicated. He fell in love with her via her online journal. He didn't know how old she was until he was smitten.

He had no intentions of meeting her. Of doing anything except reading her anonymous posts. But when he found out someone else was trying to buy her, he stepped in.

I don't approve, but it's hard to blame him.

If I found out someone was trying to pay Indigo for sex—

I'm not sure I'd step in and outbid the man the way Ian did, but I'd do something to stop him.

"Mum is worried about you," he says. "But I'm sure she's told you that."

I nod. "She still believes I'm a gentleman."

"You are. In your way." Ian looks to the crowded office. He stands. Moves closer. "You were honest with all your conquests."

"Conquests?"

"What do you call them?"

"Partners."

He chuckles if you say so. "Tell me to fuck off if you'd like, Ty. Tell me you're keeping this to yourself. If not, well… you know I love details."

"Fuck off."

Again, he chuckles. "You like her."

"Of course."

"No. You like her."

"I wouldn't fuck someone I don't like."

He shakes his head I don't think so. "Maybe you liked some of your… partners. But not most of them. I know the look you have when you fuck someone you like."

"How do you know that?"

"Am I wrong?"

Not exactly. I did enjoy the company of plenty of women. But I wasn't proud of myself after. That changed things. "Yes, I like her."

"Is it serious?"

"It is."

"And you didn't tell me. Arsehole."

I flip him off.

Which only makes him laugh. "How serious?"

"Serious."

"Cam likes her."

"Cam likes everyone."

"Cam hates everyone." Ian chuckles.

"Her sister plays football."

"He mentioned a cute sister," Ian says. "I imagine he wanted to convince you he has eyes on her."

He might. I can't tell with him. "Does he?"

"Who can tell with Cam?" He lowers his voice. "I realize you were fucking someone else two months ago."

"And?"

Ian nods whatever you want to tell yourself. "That's an abrupt change."

"You're one to talk."

He nods true. "What's her name?"

"Indigo."

"Indigo…"

"Indigo, I don't want you spying on her."

He chuckles. "If I promise I'll be on my best behavior?"

"So you'll only spy on her a little?"

He chuckles in that you've got me way. "What is she like?"

"Strong." My eyes go to my watch. She's supposed to arrive soon. Paloma is taking her to a few venues. They book early in New York.