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Jake steps over to Lana. “Babe, Ethan and I are going to grab you two a couple more glasses of champagne. We’ll be right back.”
“Sounds good,” Lana says, kissing his cheek.
Jake steers me toward the bar. After we are out of earshot of the women, he turns to me. “Has the private investigator given you an update on the case of Liz’s stalker? Any leads?”
I hold up my hand to get the bartender’s attention and then turn to Jake. “Actually, she texted me a few minutes ago. She said she had some news and asked if we could meet tomorrow. She didn’t say why she wants to see us, so I haven’t said anything to Liz because I don’t want her to worry about it tonight.”
“Do you need me at the meeting? You and Liz shouldn’t have to carry this burden alone.”
“No, really, Liz and I can handle it. We just don’t have a lot to go on right now.”
“Okay, just let me know if I need to get involved. I’m happy to help. I don’t even want to think about something happening to Liz. And now you have the baby to worry about, too.”
“I know. I’m taking care of them. I have a security detail on them at all times.”
Jake leans forward and rests his arms on the bar. The bartender is busy getting our drinks and Jake is looking at me like he wants to say something.
It doesn’t take long to find out what’s on his mind.
“I’ve tried to stay out of your business up until now,” he says. “You know I’ve known Liz for a long time, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I introduced you two back in the day. She’s a good friend, and she’s been through a lot. I feel like I have some responsibility towards her. That stuff with her ex really messed her up for a while, and I don’t want her to go through that again.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes at my brother. I know he’s worried for her, but he doesn’t need to get involved like this. “Are you about to ask me what my intentions are?”
“Not in those exact words, but yeah. Do you have a plan?”
“I asked her to move in with me. I told her that I wanted to take care of her. She said no.”
“Of course she said no, dumbass.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Jake sighs and looks at me like I’m an idiot. “It’s like you don’t know her at all. Liz has never accepted help from anyone, not even me. Did you know that I offered her a job straight out of college? Her parents had just cut her off and canceled the payment they made for her to attend law school. She refused my job offer. Said she didn’t have the necessary job experience and wasn’t going to take handouts.”
“How did she end up working for you then?” I ask curiously.
“It took four years, but she eventually made her way up within the company. I had nothing to do with the promotions she earned along the way. While she waited for a position in the legal department to open, I had an opening for an executive assistant. She applied, and I hired her. She never would have accepted it had she not worked so hard for it. That’s the type of person she is.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me wanting to take care of her and the baby. I’m not giving her a handout.” I try not to let my exasperation show.
“Did you ask Liz what she wants?”
I rub the back of my head in a nervous gesture and sigh. “No. But I know she’ll eventually want marriage.”
“And you don’t?”
A year ago, that would’ve been a quick and easyno. I care for Liz more than I want to admit to myself. Losing her would hurt. But do I wantmarriage? “I don’t know. I no longer shiver in complete revulsion at the thought; however, I just don’t think it’s right for me.”
Jake shakes his head. “You can’t let your past relationships continue to interfere with your life. You were cheated on a really long time ago. So what? Shit happens. Move on. Don’t let it ruin your possibility for future happiness.”
Annoyance at Jake hits me hard. He would never understand. He wasn’t cheated on by a fiancée. He doesn’t know what it’s like to love someone, trust them, and find out they are cheating on you with a friend. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to trust someone like that again.
“I can’t expect you to understand. You’re in love with Lana, and you think everyone else should have that type of relationship, too. I just don’t see that happening for me.”
Jake looks like he’s about to comment further. He opens his mouth to speak, then looks away from me. I am not surprised when he changes the subject. “We better get back to the women. They’re going to think we got lost.”
