Rush

He’s trying to help my brother by giving him an out.

“Newlyweds shouldn’t spend half their time apart.” He chuckles. “I don’t want that for Drake. He should be all-in on this marriage. Selling the apartment and setting up an office in London is the way to make that happen.”

Shocked, I stare at him. “You’re setting up an office for Cabbott in London so Drake can move there?”

“I’m helping your brother live the life he deserves.” His gaze drops to the floor. “He’s done more for me than I had a right to ask for, so this is my way of paying him back. A London office has been on our radar for a few years. I can’t think of a better time to make it a reality.”

I sit in silence, absorbing everything he just told me.

“Selling this apartment is the right move for Drake and me.” He inches toward me. “He’s lived here for this long because he knew I’d have a hell of a time letting this place go, but it’s time.”

“I didn’t realize the apartment meant that much to you,” I say, fishing for more.

“Not to me.” He shakes his head. “It meant a lot to someone I cared about, but that was years ago. It’s time to hand it over to someone else.”

Chapter 24

Case

I wait for her to ask me the question I know is sitting on the tip of her tongue. My gaze drops to her pretty lips.

The fire that was in her when she decided to step up to the plate and go to bat for her brother caught me off guard.

I like that she didn’t back down when she thought I screwed Drake over.

“Thank you for explaining all of that to me.” Her shoulders push forward. “You’re doing a lot for Drake. I know he’ll appreciate it.”

I didn’t expect her to skip past my declaration about this apartment holding special meaning to someone I cared about. I thought she’d press for more details.

Opening up to her about that isn’t going to happen. I’ve been hanging on by the barest thread since I got to New York. I need to leave this place in my past.

“When will you tell him?” She tugs on the hem of the tank top, stretching it taut over her breasts.

I force my gaze to her face. “Tomorrow. On his birthday.”

“It’s his wedding day too,” she adds.

Drake’s life is changing at warp speed. I’m happy for him. I don’t know anyone who deserves this more than he does.

“So Pam and Rod were looking at the apartment?” Emma nudges her knee closer to mine. “Maya mentioned someone named Anton. Is that another prospective buyer?”

Since I let the cat out of the bag, there’s no reason not to share the details with Emma. “Several people have looked at this place. Maya feels confident that she’s found a buyer. She’ll know more tomorrow.”

“It’s a beautiful apartment.” She lowers her gaze to the coffee table. “The first time I came to visit Drake, I almost fell over out of shock when I walked through the door.”

I felt the same way seven years ago when I followed a real estate broker into the apartment.

It was more than I ever imagined I’d be able to afford, but I made an all cash offer that day. It was accepted immediately.

It took sixty days to close on the deal, but once it did, all three thousand square feet belonged to me.

“He told you the place was his?” I’ve been meaning to ask her about that since the night we met. “What exactly did he say?”

She lets out a laugh. “It’s more about what he didn’t say. He didn’t correct my assumption that he owned this place.”

That sounds like Drake. He’s always strived for the best of the best. I knew when I walked out of here seven years ago that he’d pass off the apartment as his own.

I don’t give a damn.

If it did something for him, I won’t cut him down for that.

“He’s taken good care of it.” I choose my next words carefully. “When I moved to California, I left everything here in his hands. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.”

Her eyes scan my face. “You’re a good friend to him too. He’s told me as much since he talks about you non-stop.”

I doubt like hell she knows my full story. Drake once told me it wasn’t his to tell, and I’ve held him to that for years.

If she’s baiting me, I’m willing to bite. “What do you know about me?”

“You like surfing,” she sounds back.

I’d say it’s in my blood, but I didn’t pick up a board until a few years ago. I learned the basics and all my time on the water since has perfected my technique enough that I can hold my own.