I know he threatened to call her, but he certainly didn’t wait twelve hours. If he had, she wouldn’t be here yet.
I follow her to the elevator in silence. It’s taken a while to get here. Too many of my staff wanting to say ‘Hello’, and ‘Congratulations’. You’d think she wasbloodyroyalty.
While I’m waiting, I pull out my phone and fire my brother a message.
ME:
What the hell, Gabe
Three dots appear.
GABRIEL:
You’re welcome.
ME:
I told you in confidence. Told you I didn’t want Pen involved.
GABRIEL:
I warned you. And Pen is family. I wouldn’t share it with anyone else.
ME:
No, she’s not.
Although I know I’m lying. Pen is an honorary member of the Frazer family, and my parents and siblings all but adopted her years ago.
GABRIEL:
Not in your eyes, maybe, but to the rest of us.
GABRIEL:
Don’t be an arse. Be grateful. Pen has your back.
I sigh and stuff my phone back into my pocket.
The elevator arrives, and we step inside. Luckily, it’s empty.
“Gabriel tell you to stop being a grumpy bastard and accept my help?” Pen asks.
I look up and find her watching me.
I grunt. “You think you’re so clever?”
She turns and faces forward, but I don’t miss her grin. “That’s because I am. My IQ is?—”
“I know. You reminded me every day at university. You’re also a smart arse.”
“And don’t you know it? Smart arse meets grumpy bastard. I wonder who’s going to win?”
Before I can say anything more, the elevator pings, the doors opening onto a busy reception.
I ignore her. I know she’s trying to needle me, snap me out of my funk. She used to use the same tactic when we were at uni together, especially after I broke my ankle.
I hold out my arm, motioning for Pen to lead the way. She smiles over her shoulder, and I can practically hear her words.
