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Nineteen
By Friday morning, Bran couldn’t figure out what the hell was wrong with him.
He should be in a phenomenal mood. The week had started with conference room sex, last night he’d fallen asleep next to Addi on her couch, and now they had the weekend to look forward to.
And next week was... Fourth of July weekend.
It suddenly dawned on him what was bothering him.
That warning bell that’d rang in Tahoe was back. He couldn’t ignore it. The last time he’d ignored his gut had been when he and Taylor were dating. When he’d ordered a Tiffany & Co. diamond online.
Who ordered an engagement ring online?
A desperate guy, that’s who.
There was no reason for him to freak out, which might be why he was freaking out. Royce and Taylor and Gia knew that Addi and Bran were dating. They didn’t care. Mom and Dad were retired. They sure as hell didn’t care.
The only person who seemed to have an issue was him.
He hadn’t officially invited Addi to his parents’ house at the vineyard—and now he wondered if he shouldn’t. She might not care if she went or not. Maybe a family gathering was too much too soon for both of them.
He blew out a breath of relief that brought his shoulders out from under his ears. He felt better now that he’d let himself off the hook. God, when was this day over?
He glanced at his wrist only to find, again, his watch missing. He’d left it at Addi’s, he was sure of it, but every time he thought to ask her, he’d been in the middle of something else work-related. He was glad it was Friday—he needed a weekend like his next breath.
“Boxing tomorrow?” he asked Royce, poking his head into his older brother’s office.
“No can do.” Royce stood from his desk, his leather laptop bag in hand.
“Where the hell are you going? It’s only—” Bran glanced at his wrist again before consulting the clock on the wall “—two o’clock.”
“Home. I’m the CEO and I say none of us needs to stay another minute.” He cocked his head, staring down Bran as if he could see through him. “Why are we boxing? Have some pent-up rage you’d like to take out on me?”
“Exercise this time, promise.” Bran held up a hand and swore the truth. The last time he’d invited Royce out to his backyard boxing ring, they’d worked out some unfinished business. They’d both been feeling the pressure about who would be chosen CEO and their father had joked that they should box it out. There might also have been a come-to-Jesus talk from Bran that led to Royce breaking up with Taylor, but it all worked out in the end. Boxing had helped sort out the brotherly stuff between Royce and Bran, though.
“Everything okay?” Royce asked.
Not really, but that made no sense. “Of course. See you tomorrow.”
“Yep. Have a good one.”
Addi was at her desk when Bran entered their semiprivate corner. He stopped in front of her, nearly forgetting what he was going to say. Blame the low-cut top. She’d never worn low-cut tops before, unless he hadn’t noticed. He was certain he would have noticed.
“I left my watch at your apartment.”
“Yes. I noticed.” Her tender smile reminded him of that night. She’d found a new toothbrush in her hall closet and invited him to stay over. He hadn’t planned on staying, but she was so damn sweet, he hadn’t been able to say no.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t slept much that night. He’d laid there for a long while, mind racing, eyes watching the ceiling. Addi staying at his place had never caused that reaction, so what made him itchy about staying at hers? His head was a jumble lately—maybe he was just stressed about work.
“I’m having the battery replaced and the face cleaned,” she said. “You ruined your surprise. I’ll pick it up after lunch.”
The warning this time was a blare. Having his watch serviced and delivered as a surprise sounded like something she’d do for a boyfriend. Boyfriends led to marriage, which led to babies. See: Taylor and Royce. Then again, they weren’t even dating when Taylor discovered she was pregnant and they weren’t married yet.
Bran was suddenly overly warm.
“Thanks, uh, I appreciate it.” He pasted on a smile. “I’ll just... be in there.”
He followed his pointing finger into his office where he drew the blinds and shut the door. Then he stared at his desk for a long while.
