Rush

Watching him place the glass on the table, I take a minute to sort my thoughts. “It helps me understand you. I knew you were in pain.”

“It’s that obvious?” His gaze darts to me.

“It’s in your eyes,” I say softly. “There’s a sad story there.”

With a nod, he reaches to run his finger over my chin. “Beautiful, compassionate, and insightful Emma Owens. I didn’t stand a chance, did I?”

“A chance?” I search his face for clarity. “What do you mean?”

Is he falling for me too? Is his heart in free fall the way mine is?

He glances at the table again. With a step forward, he taps his finger on the edge of the picture of Drake and Jane. “I haven’t seen this. Drake sent it to you?”

Frustrated that our conversation has shifted in an entirely different direction, I sigh. “He did. I had that printed. I’m going to frame it for a wedding gift.”

Reaching down, he carefully picks up the print. He tilts it slightly to the right and then the left. “Is this the only picture you have of them?”

Stepping closer, I nod. “Yes. Why?”

With a slight shake of his head, he looks at me. “She looks familiar.”

“Jane looks familiar?” I lean in so I can gaze at the picture too. “You know her?”

He moves the picture again. This time he brings it closer to his face. “It’s hard to tell.”

Anxiety pricks its way up my spine. I don’t know anything about Jane other than she’s now my sister-in-law. “I can ask Drake for another picture of them at the wedding.”

I offer that to appease not only Case’s curiosity but mine too.

“We’ll meet her soon enough.” He drops the picture. “I’ve never met a woman named Jane, so I think it’s safe to say I don’t know her.”

It’s not safe to say anything. A month ago, I would have said it’s safe to say my brother would live in New York forever and stay single for years.

“Enough about Drake.” Case tilts my chin up. “I need to go to work, Emma.”

I glance at the picture one last time before I focus on him. “I’ll frame the wedding photo and find something else to do.”

“I’ll have the contract to you by the end of the day.”

Startled, I search his face for a clue about where exactly I’ll be working. “By the end of the day, today?”

He nods. “I want you to have dinner with me so we can discuss it.”

This sounds too business-like to be an invitation to move to San Francisco with him.

My heart drops inside my chest. “Okay. You’ll let me know where and when?”

He presses his lips to my cheek. “I’ll text you as soon as I have the contract in hand.”

Why does this feel like the first step in a very painful goodbye?

“I’ll be waiting to hear from you,” I say softly.

With another soft kiss to my cheek, he turns and heads down the hallway to his bedroom. When the door shuts behind him, I look toward the windows.

As raindrops hit the glass, tears flow down my cheeks.

I knew this would hurt, but I had no idea how badly.

Chapter 59

Emma

I march up Park Avenue on my way to nowhere.

After I left Case’s apartment, I sent a group text to Bella and Delaney to see what they’re up to.

I know both of them have to work today, but I’m hoping at least one of them can spare me an hour at lunch.

I don’t know that I’ll confess anything to them about what I’m feeling concerning Case and me, but I need a friendly face and a chance to escape from the sadness I feel.

My time with Case is going to be over soon.

Drake and Jane will come back to New York, and then the three of us will fly to Seattle to finally tell my parents about the secret wedding.

I’ll share my news too.

I’m going to work at Cabbott. I’ll be moving to a new city.

This is the next chapter in my life. I should be over the moon, but I’m feeling nothing but loss.

I maneuver around a couple standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Their embrace is beautiful and tender in a way that speaks of deep love.

I slow as I move past them, taking in the expression on the man’s face as he stares at the woman.

It’s pure joy.

“Emma? Is that you?”

Startled to hear my name, I stop in place and spin in a circle.

I don’t recognize the voice until I hear it again. “I’m over here.”

I glance to the left to find Ruth with her hand in the air. She’s exiting the same building she disappeared into the other day.

“Ruth.” I approach her with a smile on my face. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”

She steals a look at the couple. They’re now walking down the sidewalk hand-in-hand. “Did you see that? The way he looked at her reminds me of Tommy. He always had that same look on his face right before he kissed me.”