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He glances at a black leather couch against one of the walls. I instantly spot his missing suit jacket. It’s balled into a makeshift pillow. “I was working. It was too much effort to go home.”
“Why don’t you head there now?” I suggest. “You should think about grabbing some take-out on the way.”
He scrubs a hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah, I should. I will.”
I’m tempted to join him for the journey home and the meal, but that’s a bigger step in our relationship than I’m willing to take right now. I doubt he’d be receptive to it either.
I point at his jacket. “Are you going to grab that?”
He glances at it before grabbing his phone and keys from his desk. “I’ll rescue my wallet from it, but it needs a drycleaner. I’ll have my assistant drop it off tomorrow.”
“Good plan.”
“Speaking of assistants.” He looks at me. “You need one, James, unless you’re not planning on sticking around.”
I laugh. “I’ll start the search tomorrow. I’m not going anywhere, Holden.”
“Good,” he whispers. “That’s good to hear.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Sinclair
“Thanks for bringing Stevie home.” Berk smiles as he watches his daughter climb the stairs in their brownstone. “She’s off to find Sully.”
Sully is the family cat. She’s as sweet as can be, but her fear of Dudley means a friendship between the two animals will never happen.
I shove my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. “Where’s your bride-to-be?”
“In the recording studio,” he says proudly. “She’s been working hard, Sin. Writing, recording, planning the wedding.”
I’m in awe of my future sister-in-law’s talent. Astrid is a soulful singer who had a big break when a video of her singing a song she wrote about my brother went viral. It resulted in a recording contract for her and a future that’s as bright as the stars.
“I can’t help with anything musical.” I laugh. “Tell her to call me if she needs wedding planning help.”
“I’ll do that.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder to tug me closer. “How are you and Jameson making out living together?”
“All right.”
“The emphasis of that question was on the making out part, Sinclair.” He chuckles. “Stevie and I interrupted something last night.”
I step back and scratch my cheek. “What? No!”
“The clues were there.” He tilts his chin up. “You both look flushed, and you were nervous as hell.”
Shit. I didn’t realize we were that transparent.
“It was a kiss,” I admit. “We played spin the bottle, and it landed on him, so I kissed him.”
“You kissed?” His voice softens. “That’s a big step.”
It felt that way to me. I’ve kissed men in the past, and it’s never held as much weight as it did when I kissed Jameson.
It didn’t last long, but it was life-altering.
I shake my head. “I don’t know what we’re doing, Berk. A few days ago, I was so angry with him. Now, it’s different.”
He studies my face. “Just to clarify, it’s a good different, right?”
I nod.
“You’re my sister, and I love you.” He reaches to rest both hands on my shoulders. “I should caution you to be careful, but I won’t do that. I know you’ve got it covered.”
I have no clue if I do or not.
I’ll leave here, go back to the penthouse, and face Jameson. I’m not sure if we’ll pick up right where we left off last night.
“I’m a phone call away if you need me. Sin.”
“Daddy, come see this!” Stevie calls.
Berk glances toward the staircase. “I need to run and see my girl.”
“Go.” I pat his back. “Tell her I love her.”
“I will.” He kisses the top of my head. “She loves you too. We all do.”
I took fifteen minutes to steel myself before I walked into the penthouse.
I did that by taking a few extra trips around the block on foot to try and quiet my thundering heart.
I drop my keys on the foyer table and listen carefully, hoping to hear footsteps on the approach.
I hear them in the hallway, but I instantly recognize that Dudley is racing toward me, not Jameson.
Feeling slightly disappointed, I clear my throat, hoping that it will catch my roommate’s attention.
It doesn’t.
As soon as Dudley comes into view, I walk toward him, scooping him up and into my arms.
I kiss his head and look around the room.
I immediately spot something out of place.
My stomach knots as I move toward the dining room table with quick steps.
Strewn out in the middle of the table are dozens of multi-colored candy hearts. Each has a letter on it.
Off to the left, I spot a line of candies that instantly brings an uncontrollable smile to my face. They’re spelling out a message.
MEET ME HERE FOR DINNER AT EIGHT
My chest tightens as emotion bubbles up inside of me.
“You found the candies.”
The deep voice that seemingly comes out of nowhere turns me instantly to the right.
