Reaching across the counter, she took a washcloth out of a basket and rinsed it under the faucet. She still couldn’t believe Noah had paid Emanuel’s legal fees. Protecting his company’s reputation, even if it destroyed another person’s life, must mean more to Noah than uncovering the truth.
What Cassie didn’t know was why the case had gone to trial. If Noah’s brother was able to investigate her life, why didn’t he look into Emanuel’s accusations? It would have been less expensive to compare the two jewelry designs and settle out of court, rather than spend seven months trying to prosecute her father.
She threw the washcloth into another basket and lifted her chin. No matter how miserable she felt, it was time to leave. She needed to get back to Noah’s apartment, grab her clothes, and go to the airport.
And if anyone wondered why she was upset, all they had to do was wait for the next storyThe New York Timespublished.
“Cassie! Wait.”
Her footsteps slowed as Jack raced toward her.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to Noah’s apartment.”
“Are you all right?”
Cassie bit her bottom lip. The kindness in Jack’s face made her want to cry all over again. “I’ll be okay. I just need to find a taxi.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind taking a taxi.”
Jack stuck his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know what’s happened, and I don’t need to. But I’m worried about you. It’s not safe to walk anywhere at this time of the night. Especially when you’re on your own.”
“I’ll be fine. I lived in Los Angeles for most of my life.”
“My car isn’t far away.”
Cassie glanced at the crowded sidewalk and the cars traveling along the busy road. After living in Sapphire Bay, the traffic in Manhattan was as bad an IndyCar race. Vehicles filled each lane, honking their horns and competing for the lead position at the traffic lights.
With a resigned sigh, she turned to Jack. “I wasn’t looking forward to finding a taxi. Thank you. I’d appreciate a ride.”
“Thank goodness. I was worried I’d have to sling you over my shoulder and carry you to the parking building.”
Jack was trying to make her feel better, but it wasn’t working. She followed him along the sidewalk, lost in thoughts that only made her feel more miserable. “Did Noah ask you to drive me back to his apartment?”
“Was I that obvious?”
“Only a little.”
Jack sighed. “I don’t think ‘ask’ is the word I would have used. He told me to find you or he wouldn’t be going to Shelter Island.”
“Why is it important you all go there?”
“This Christmas, it will be twenty-five years since Mom and Dad died. We used to spend a lot of time at the Island but, after they died, we hardly went back. Noah thought it was time we resurrected a family tradition.”
Cassie shivered as a cold gust of wind raced along the street. “Why don’t you go sooner?”
“This way.” Jack pointed to the left-hand side of the parking building. “We’d like to, but our schedules fill up too fast.”
As they walked behind the parked vehicles, Cassie frowned. “Did Noah tell you I’m going home?”
“I think he was hoping you’d eventually call Manhattan home.”
Jack’s softly spoken words brought more tears to Cassie’s eyes. “I don’t know how I feel about anything at the moment.”
“It happens to all of us.” Jack unlocked his car and opened the front passenger door. “We wouldn’t be human if someone didn’t let us down every once in a while.”
