Rush

“Are you sure?” I ask, even though I don’t want to give him an out to change his mind. He may be a stranger, but I feel safe here.

“I’m sure, but there’s one condition.” His gaze drops to my laptop bag and suitcase.

“I’ll put all of that in the guestroom,” I say hurriedly. “I’ll stay out of your way. You won’t even know I’m here.”

“I need you to not be here five minutes from now. You can grab a drink. There’s a pub across the street. Eager Pour is the name of it.”

His date. I almost forgot that a woman is meeting him here. I like his suggestion. I can use a cocktail after the day I’ve had. I deserve the treat.

“Drake took me to a pub across the street called Durie’s the last time I was here.” I shrug. “Could that be the same place you’re thinking of?”

“Shit. Maybe the bar changed hands since I left the city.” He slides his thumb across the screen of his phone. “Give me your number. I’ll text you when I’m done. She’ll be in and out of here in fifteen minutes.”

Fifteen minutes?

I think I found Case Abbott’s one flaw. He’s a rushed lover.

I no longer consider the woman meeting him lucky at all.

After calling out my phone number to him, I grab my laptop bag and the handle of my suitcase. I turn to him because I want him to know I’m grateful. “Thank you, Mr. Abbott.”

I have no idea what to call him. He may be my brother’s best friend, but he’s his boss too. I’ve learned in life that you should always show respect to the people who help you.

“Case,” he corrects me. “Call me, Case.”

I grin because that contagious smile of his is on full display again.

A tap of his finger on the face of his watch breaks the spell. “It’s time to get moving, Emma. My guest will be here in ten minutes.”

I roll my suitcase over the floor as I walk toward the guestroom that I’ve stayed in before. This isn’t how I thought today would play out, but I have a bed to sleep in tonight. For now, that’s all that matters.

Chapter 5

Emma

I snuck into the washroom at Durie’s before I took a seat at a table in the corner.

As I was rushing out of Case’s apartment, I tossed my makeup bag into a clutch that I packed in my suitcase. With the addition of a couple of hair elastics, my wallet, and the keys that Drake gave me, I was set.

I applied a touch of makeup before I twisted my hair into a messy bun. The lighting in the bar’s washroom wasn’t ideal, but I look presentable.

I’ve already been mistaken for an eighteen-year-old once tonight. I don’t want a repeat with the server.

I grin at her as she approaches me.

“What can I get for you?” she asks with a bright smile.

I go for a repeat of what I had the night Drake brought me here. “A lemon drop martini, please.”

“My favorite.” Her blue eyes widen. “You have excellent taste, Emma.”

Furrowing my brow, I lean back in my seat. I haven’t handed over my credit card yet, so how does she know my name?

Smiling, she rests a hand on my tense shoulder. “You’re Emma, aren’t you? Drake Owens is your brother?”

Stuck on a stalled breath, I nod. “I am.”

“We met when you were here with him last year.” Her hand drops to her side. “He talks about you sometimes when he stops in for a beer.”

I study her face. Her eyes are blue. Her hair is a dark shade of blonde. She’s pretty. She’s exactly my brother’s type.

“I’m Kendall, by the way.”

“It’s good to meet you again,” I say with a soft laugh. “Does my brother come in often?”

I’m hoping small talk will bury the subject of our first meeting. I rarely forget a face. It’s part of my job to match faces with names.

“When he wants a beer, he shows up.” She shrugs. “I have a feeling that once he gets back from his trip, he won’t be popping in as often.”

Even this woman knew that Drake was headed out of New York City.

Maybe she can fill in the gaps that Case was unwilling or unable to.

Just as I’m about to interrogate her, a man at the next table calls out her name and what sounds like a complicated drink order.

“I’ll grab your martini.” She slaps a dark blue cocktail napkin on the table in front of me. “I’ll put it on Drake’s tab.”

“That’s not necessary.” I reach for my clutch. “I can pay for my drink.”

With a shake of her head, she huffs out a laugh. “Not according to your brother. All friends and family of Drake Owens drink on his dime. Those are his exact words.”