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I held out my suit jacket. “Thanks. Is there somewhere I can check my message? I don’t want to disturb everyone.”
“Living room is right through there.” She pointed in the general direction. “But it’s fine. The name of this place is chaos.”
From what I’d observed, the name seemed apt. I kept a firm grip on Trish, afraid if I let go, something would come between us again. I couldn’t let that happen. Not so soon after she’d forgiven me.
“Make your call,” she said, looking at me like I was strange when I tried to take her from the kitchen.
“Come with me.” Something in my voice must have kept her from arguing because she gave a swift nod.
The living room was cavernous, definitely the best of the best, but it wasn’t ostentatious. The space was comfortable. Homey. Not a word I’d thought could describe a tens of millions of dollars penthouse.
Instead of listening to the voicemail, I dialed my brother back. He answered on the second ring.
“What’s up?”
“Can you meet for dinner?” he asked. His tone was casual, but there was an undercurrent of urgency that gave me pause.
I glanced to where Trish and my hands were joined. I needed her, but my brother needed me. We might be years apart, have been separated by a lot of miles, but I knew him. He didn’t ask me for anything. If he was, it was important.
“Yeah. Where?” I frowned at Trish.
“Dino’s?” Relief was evident in his voice.
“I’m on my way. See you there.”
I ended the call and dropped my phone in my pocket. I took Trish’s other hand in mine.
“You have to go.”
I hated but was pleased at the same time at the disappointment on her face.
“It’s Holt. He sounded off.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry.”
Her angelic features lit. “Don’t be. I love that you’re there for him when he needs you.”
“It’s inconvenient right now,” I said good-naturedly.
“Let’s get your jacket, and I’ll walk you out.” She led me back to the kitchen.
“Vivian, I’m going to need my jacket back,” I said regretfully.
“We haven’t had dinner yet.”
Daniel gave me an irritated look at her displeasure. I’d been on the receiving end of quite a few of those today. Apparently, disappointing his wife earned me the most disgusted of them so far.
“My brother needs me to meet him for dinner,” I explained.
“He can come here.” Vivian said happily. Problem solved.
“No.”
Everyone looked at Baker. Her face flamed from the outburst.
“You don’t like him, either?” Sonya asked.
“My guess is she likes him too much,” Vivian said with a mischievous grin. “We could vote. See who wants the brother to come over.”
“V, don’t make Baker uncomfortable,” Muriella scolded.
