I can’t prevent the single tear that escapes and tracks its way down my cheek.
Kris catches it.
“I’ll get them to prepare the jet. It’s time for you to go home.”
Home—a surprising warmth spreads through my chest at that one word.
I shake my head.
“No, I’ll book a flight. I can’t take your jet.”
“Pen, let me do this for you. Youareand always will be my friend. It’s what friends do.”
He pulls me into his arms, and I relax against him, absorbing his strength. I hold on, letting his belief eat away at my self-doubt. I’m not sure how long we stay there, but the comfort of a friend when you’re in need. There’s nothing like it.
CHAPTER 36
ELIJAH
“Have you spoken to Pen?” Gabriel asks.
“What do you mean, spoken to Pen?” a beautifully tanned Caleb asks. “Why would he speak to Pen? Isn’t she in the US with Kris, preparing for her big day?”
I shoot Gabriel a warning look.
“Hang on. What did I miss?” Caleb asks, his gaze flipping back and forth between us.
“Nothing important,” I say. “We’re out talking about your awesome honeymoon.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. No deflecting, big bro. What did I miss?”
The look Caleb sends me tells me he’s serious.
“We’ve put up with silence for fifteen years. You promised, after your divorce, no more secrets.” He turns to his twin. “Gabriel, if mean and moody here won’t tell me what’s going on. It’s up to you, brother.”
Gabriel looks at me and raises an eyebrow. Rebuilding relationships is what I’m doing, I remind myself. It’s why I’m now letting myself be interrogated by my younger brothers.
“Fine,” I say, running a hand through my hair and down my face. “While you were away, someone tried to sabotage my newrelease. Not only sabotage but leave all my clients vulnerable to industrial espionage. I uncovered the plot by accident, and Gabriel contacted Pen. She came and helped me rectify the problem.”
When I look up, Caleb is staring at me wide-eyed.
“And this is the first I’m hearing about this because?”
I shake my head. “Because, little brother. You were on your honeymoon, and Pen resolved it within a couple of days.”
“So, the news articles I was about to question you on? The ones that I’ve been reading since we landed?”
“True, but limited. It could have been a lot worse had it not been for Pen,” I admit, closing my eyes briefly.
The weight in my chest since Pen left has not lifted. The time we spent together reopened old wounds.
“How was Pen?” Caleb asks, his eyes never leaving my face.
“Good. Getting ready for her wedding. Only six weeks now,” I say, trying to add some enthusiasm to my tone. Wanting, no, needing desperately for my brother to shut up and move on. It’s been bad enough with Gabriel and Leah dropping her name at every opportunity. Even little Callum missesAnt Pen.
The last thing I need to think about is Pen, who is back in Kris’s arms, preparing for her wedding. Not when it hurts this much.
I sense Gabriel’s eyes on me. He’s been very quiet, too quiet. Assessing me.
