“I heard about that.”
Lisa was a really sweet person, but she could be somewhat oblivious to those outside of her immediate world. “You did?”
“I read the paper—or at least Yahoo! news. How are his brothers? Are they okay?”
Emily sent her sister a knowing smile. “You mean Hunter?”
Lisa’s mouth twisted in mock annoyance. “I meanallof them.”
“I’ve only seen Wes and Levi, and Wes came across stressed. Those guys…well, I don’t want to say they’ve taken on a lot, but…”
Lisa gulped her wine and held up her hand. “The four of them running the resort? What was Mr. Cade thinking? Levi’s a firefighter—”
“Ex-firefighter.”
“—so what does he know about running a classy resort? Their dad must have been out of his mind when he made that decision.”
Emily tapped her toe and dragged her workbag to the side of her lap, her eyebrows knitting together. For some reason, Lisa’s doubts about Levi and his brothers bothered her. “Ethan Cade was a very smart businessman. He wouldn’t have made that choice if he didn’t have faith in his sons. They’re good men, and they seem hardworking.”
Lisa snorted, which only irritated Emily more.
Emily stood and walked to the kitchen island. She poured some red wine into one of Lisa’s fancy crystal glasses. “Don’t underestimate Levi. He can do it, and I’m going to help him.”
Lisa tracked Emily’s progress, swiveling in her stool to face her. “No offense, sister, but a one-year internship at an international hotel doesn’t make you a miracle worker.”
Emily hammered the cork back on the bottle with the heel of her hand, her eyes widening. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Lisa’s face scrunched. “It’s true.”
Emily might not have CEO experience, but she knew what she was doing. She could help Levi.
“So”—Lisa reached for a coaster without looking up—“does he hate me?”
Emily took a sip of wine, making her sister wait it out. She loved Lisa, but her sister had royally screwed up when it came to these brothers. And Emily was pretty sure it was a part of the sister job description to give her a hard time. “Which Cade are you referring to?
Lisa cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Levi, of course.”
“I didn’t ask him. But would you blame him if he did?”
“No,” she said sulkily. “Though I didn’t mean to hurt him.”
Emily set her glass on the counter. “Did you think about that before you hooked up with Hunt?”
Lisa winced. “It’s not that simple. I didn’t realize I’d been looking for a way out of my relationship with Levi until it was all over.”
And that was the most unimaginable part of Lisa’s history with Levi Cade. She’d actuallywantedout of a relationship with one of the most handsome, eligible men in the area. Emily hadn’t understood it then, and she only marginally understood it better now.
The door creaked open and Jared entered the apartment. “My two favorite ladies.”
Jared was a financial guy at one of the casinos in town, so he was in a full suit and looking handsome as ever.
He kicked off his dress shoes by the door. “You guys started the party without me?”
“Just wine, baby.” Lisa grinned from ear to ear as Jared walked over. “We waited to bust out the hard stuff until you got home.”
Emily could think whatever she wanted about Lisa’s past relationships, but her sister truly loved Jared. He was the reason Lisa had recovered from the drama over Levi and Hunt all those years ago. Jared was the guy who finallygother.
Lisa needed attention. Lots of it. But her beauty was distracting for some guys. They’d suck up to her in order to get into her bed, but she was a good person and needed a good man. One who genuinely cared for her and gave her the attention she craved.
