“I thought you were moving to the US?” she says, looking up at me, gripping my forearms.
“After the wedding,” I say with a smile. “I was this side of town and thought I’d see if Elijah was free.”
Jules grimaces. “He’s in there, but he’s cancelled all appointments for today. He told me he doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
I rest a hand on her shoulder and give her a wink.
“And when has that ever stopped me? Can you get us some coffee? I’ll pop in and see him.”
“On your head, be it,” she says with no malice. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I know I’m the only one outside the direct family Jules would say this to. She’s loyal to Elijah, almost to a fault. But as a known friend of the Frazer family, as well as a client and supplier, I get added bonus points.
“Penelope,” her voice takes on a more serious note. “I haven’t seen him like this. Not since his divorce. Not since Darra and Lottie’s accident all those years ago.”
I give her shoulder a squeeze before letting it go.
“You get the coffee. Let me deal with Elijah.”
She nods, her expression sad. She cares about him.
I move towards his door. Knocking once and opening it.
“Jules, I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“I sent her to get coffee,” I say, stepping through the door and closing it behind me.
His head shoots up as I enter.
“Pen? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Is that how you greet an old friend?” I say, moving further into his office and dropping into the chair opposite his desk.
“Pen, I don’t mean to be rude, but I really don’t have time for this,” he says, turning back to his screen.
His face flushed, his brow wrinkled. He looks like shit.
“Well, make time,” I say, watching his scowl deepen. “I’m here to take you out to lunch.”
Elijah drops back in his chair with what sounds like a frustrated growl. The stress lines around his eyes are deep. He’s aged in the past four weeks since I last saw him.
“Now really isn’t a good time,” he says through gritted teeth before running a hand down his face.
“I personally think now is the perfect time,” I say, leaning forward, resting my hands on my knees. “Gabriel called me.”
Elijah sits up and groans, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“My bloody brother called you?”
“Yes, he did. Thought it would be a good idea if I took you to lunch since I flew in from the US this morning.”
“He had no right.”
“Is that what you think? Get your head out of your ass, Eli. You may be the eldest Frazer sibling, but you’re not an island.”
I’m shocked as I watch Elijah drop back in his chair, his head tilting back as he stares at the ceiling. I know he’s counting to ten.
“I—”
