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Ben sat in front of his door, the dog’s gums pulled back from his teeth.
He patted Ben’s head. “What are you laughing about?”
For all he knew, Asia had already found someone else. He gripped the doorknob so hard his knuckles cracked. The thought alone made him violent.
No. He’d promised himself he’d make a clean break. He owed her that and more. She had to be relieved to be rid of him for good. Who could blame her? Maybe she slept better at night.
Asia hugged Matt for the tenth time where they stood in the Cartagena airport terminal. “I wish I could go with you already.”
He shifted the weight of his bag on his shoulder. “I’ll be fine, Sis.”
“If the room in the uni hostel isn’t clean or comfortable, you call me immediately. Understood?”
He rolled his eyes. “The room will be fine. Plenty of other students live there.”
“If the food is bad, you—”
“Asia.” He gripped her shoulder and gave her a smile. “Everything will be perfect.” Glancing at the announcement board, he said, “I’ve got to go.”
“Yes. Right.” She sniffed, biting back her tears. “I’ll miss you, Matt.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
“You can have a beer. Just don’t get drunk. Or not too drunk. I’m not saying it’s right to drink, I’m just saying you’re old enough to make the right choices.”
“Sis, I get it.”
She held onto his hand. It was so hard to let go.
“You did a great job as a substitute mother.” He gave her fingers a squeeze. “Just trust me.”
“I do.” Darn it. She’d sworn she wouldn’t cry. “Oh, come here.” She hugged him again.
“I’ll let you know when I arrive. Take care.” He pulled away and studied her face. “Find out what it is you want to do with your life.”
“I know what I’m going to do.” She took a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “I’m going to get this meeting with Cain over and done with—God knows, it took long enough for him to react—and then I’m coming home. I’ll find a job and get us an apartment.”
“Sis, I think I’m kind of moving out now.” His grin was boyish. “I’m not going to bring my dates to your apartment. I’d rather entertain them in my hostel room.”
She swatted his arm. “Matt!”
“Better get used to it.” He winked. “I’m growing up. I’m not a boy any longer.”
“No, you’re not.” She patted his cheek. “You better go catch that flight of yours.”
An announcement that his flight was boarding came over the system. Matt made his way to passport control with excitement in his step. Asia pressed her hand on her heart as she watched him go. He was doing the right thing. He was following his passion. He turned and waved, and then he was gone.
She stood on the spot, suddenly alone. It hit her harder than ever. Everyone had moved on, except for her. She was still running in place—in a place she didn’t belong. She felt like an alien in the middle of the airport, surrounded by people who embraced loved ones as they walked through the arrival gates. She’d never felt lonelier in her life. Emily was gone. So was Matt. Suppressing a fresh bout of tears, she made her way to the taxi zone.
The driver dropped her off in front of the property she now unwillingly owned. She was ten minutes early for her appointment with Cain. It had taken him four months to come out and sign all the papers. Why he couldn’t just use a courier beat her. She didn’t look forward to seeing him again.
Using the key that an agent had delivered to her apartment shortly after Emily’s funeral, she unlocked the door and walked into the neglected space. It felt wrong in a way, like she was trespassing on Sean’s territory. Everything was left exactly the way she recalled it. The tables and chairs were pushed against the walls. A thick layer of dust covered the furniture. She stopped in front of the photo of Sean and Jerry. She remembered meeting Sean for the first time like it was yesterday. He’d been angry. He’d wanted the bar so badly.
A noise by the door made her turn. Cain stood in the entrance, wearing a white suit, tie, and waistcoat. She’d never seen him in any other color. He had to own ten of those shirts and suits.
He rested his cane against the wall and looked around the room as he crossed the floor. “It was a dump.”
“Sean should’ve kept it. At least he would’ve turned it into a decent cocktail lounge. It was all that ever mattered to him, after all.”
“Do you know why it was so important to him?” Cain asked, stopping short of her.
“Because he’s the best mixologist in the world?”
Cain lifted two chairs from a stack and wiped the seats clean with his handkerchief. “Please.” He indicated one of them.
