“Whatever,” he mutters. “You know I always get those two mixed up. My point is, all that is not nothing. Also, you have a degree, and now you have that baller apartment. There shouldn’t be anything keeping you from making a move now.”
“Not even the bachelor pact?” I tease, and Adam snorts.
“Yeah, with me married, Henry engaged, and now Cory and his girl getting together, I think it’s safe to put the pact to rest.”
“It had a good run, though,” I say wistfully, remembering all the casual sex I had over the years. That all seems so superficial now. Especially when I see how happy my brothers look coupled up.
“Talk to me, bro,” he pushes, clearly sensing my melancholy.
“It’s nothing earth-shattering. I just feel a little jealous. And you’re my little brother, so that’s ridiculous. But playing ball didn’t leave a lot of time for relationships. Kendra’s elite status, but I don’t know the first thing about dating or being a boyfriend or anything!”
He chuckles softly.
“I won’t pretend to be some relationship expert just because I got married. A year and a half ago, I was right where you are. All I can say is follow your gut. If she seems different, she probably is, and that’s worth pursuing. You don’t need to wait until you buy a house in the Hamptons or become the new head coach at Fordham. You’re already a catch.”
A beat of uncomfortable silence passes. I clear my throat.
“Uh…thanks,” I mumble, still embarrassed to be sharing feelings like these with my little brother.
“No problem. And, uh, sorry I haven’t been around as much as usual.”
“I get it,” I interrupt. “No one’s going to begrudge you spending time with your new wife and focusing on your life together.”
I really do get it. Our relationship is changing because it has to, and I’m happy for my baby bro. But it is taking some adjustment.
“I’m just trying to say that, even when all of us as married with families of our own, you’ll still be my number one brother.”
“What did you do? Watch a Lifetime movie right before you called me?” I joke.
I can’t help but make light of a conversation that’s getting way too heavy. I may be coming to terms with my baby bro growing up, but I’m not ready to even imagine all of us married off, having kids, moving away…
“Asshole,” he grumbles, and I laugh.
Maya calls from the background for Adam’s help moving a box—they finally found a place together after months of searching—and we say our goodbyes. Things are definitely changing, but hopefully, for the better. First, I got my place. Fingers crossed, I’ll get the job. But it’s the thought of actually having a chance with my dream woman that puts a smile on my face as I head for the shower.
Chapter five
Kendra
“Oh my God! I still can’t believe you’re working with me on this!”
I roll my eyes good-naturedly and push through the door into Denise’s apartment.
“Girl, you havegotto stop. I’m just a person with contacts in the industry who believes in your vision.You’rethe brilliant designer.”
She smiles ruefully and motions for me to take a seat with her at the kitchen table.
“Sorry. I’m sure I’ll get over the shock eventually. This line has been my dream since my days at Pratt, and now it’s finally happening.”
I set my purse on the chair beside me with a heavy thud—I could live out of this bag if necessary—and steeple my hands in front of my chest.
“So! Show me what you’ve been working on since the Maxwell show. Do you have more sketches? A general theme for the line that will inspire all the pieces?”
Denise races to her drafting table, grabs a folio as thick as a Bible, and rushes back to sit next to me. My jaw literally drops.
“I know,” she says sheepishly. “My problem is actuallytoo manyideas after working on this for so long, but I do think I have a theme.”
She opens the folio and starts flipping through the pages.
