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I plugged in my credit card number, hit the purchase now button, and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
That was less than two days ago.
I walk into the bathroom and grab my hairbrush and the clothes I was wearing when I arrived. A glance in the mirror brings a scowl to my face.
I’m tired, I’m frustrated, and most of all, I’m pissed at myself for thinking it was a great idea to surprise Drake. My brother is never far from New York City. The last time he took a real vacation was when he surprised our family with a trip to Hawaii. He came to Seattle months ago for our parents’ wedding anniversary, but he spent more than half of his time on the phone dealing with work issues. He was back on a plane to New York less than twenty-four hours after he landed in Washington State.
“I called Drake’s driver. He’ll meet you downstairs. He can take you anywhere you want.”
The sound of Case’s voice turns me toward the doorway.
“Can he take me to wherever Drake is?” I ask with a half-smile.
He shakes his head. “That’s the one place he can’t take you. Are you going to crash with a friend? Or do you need him to drop you off at a hotel?”
He can’t get rid of me fast enough.
His date must be due to arrive at any minute.
I’d say she’s lucky, but he’s not exactly the nicest guy I’ve ever met.
Not that I’d go for another nice guy after the hell I went through with the last one.
“My brother is the only person I know in New York.” I breeze past him into the hallway. “I was going to fly home, but my ticket is locked in, so I’ll find a hotel for the night. When I wake up tomorrow, I’ll price out return flights to Seattle. I’m hoping that I can find a deal on a seat back home. If I can’t, I’ll be spending the week in Manhattan.”
At this point, I’m thinking out loud, so I keep going. “I should download one of those travel apps. They’re always advertising that they can find the cheapest hotel rates.”
I can hear the sound of Case’s shoes on the floor as he follows me into the main living area.
I unzip my suitcase far enough to stuff my hairbrush and clothes inside of it. “One of them had a commercial during the Super Bowl last year. They have that incredibly annoying jingle, and now they’re advertising everywhere on social media. Everywhere. It’s overkill. I’m crossing that app off my list right now.”
“You’re talking about Duotrip.”
I spin around to face him. “That’s it. The name isn’t great either.”
His arms cross his chest. “Your brother would disagree with you.”
I drop my hands to my hips because I think I know Drake better than this guy ever will. They may be best friends, but I share a close bond with my brother. We’re a lot alike.
“Drake would hate the name,” I quip.
A wolfish smile settles on Case’s lips. Dimples. The man has dimples.
How is he real?
I glance down at the floor because a smile like that is contagious, and I sense we’re in the middle of an argument about my brother that I want to win.
I want at least one thing to go my way today.
“He named it.”
My head pops up. “What?”
“He named it.” He steps closer to me. “He developed it. He’s the last one to approve all marketing for it, so I’ll be sure to tell him that you think the commercial was shit.”
I raise a hand to stop him from talking. “Drake named it?”
“He stuck the word trip after his initials. D.U.O. Drake Ulysses Owens. The result of that is Duotrip.”
Speechless, I stare at him.
“Did I love the name when he brought it to me? No, but I gave him carte blanche on the project, so I let him take it to market,” he says with a sly grin. “It’s killing it, Emma. You should be proud of your brother.”
I exhale, trying to steady myself. “I thought Cabbott Mobile only developed games.”
“That’s how we started.” He nods. “We’ve branched out the last couple of years. I’m surprised that Drake didn’t mention Duotrip to you. He tells anyone who will listen about it.”
I’m just as surprised that my brother didn’t mention it to me. I had no idea. We used to tell each other everything.
Why do I suddenly feel so far away from Drake?
Tears threaten my eyes as I glance down at my phone. “I’ll download it and find a hotel unless you have one to recommend.”
When I look up, Case’s gaze is locked on my face. Rubbing his jaw, he tilts his head as he studies me. “Fuck it. Stay here. Drake would want it that way.”
Relief washes over me. The thought of being thrust into the clutches of a city I’m unfamiliar with is overwhelming. At least now, I can stay here until I sort out a flight home.
