I’ve shared a lot with my brother since he moved to the east coast. He did the same, although he was always so focused on work that almost everything he told me revolved around that.
“I first heard London mentioned last month during a phone call with our branding manager here in New York.” He exhales slowly. “He told me that Drake was throwing out ideas about working remotely from London. He planned to be in the office here two weeks a month and then spend the other two with Jane in London.”
“She lives there?”
He brushes a hand over his knee. “Her family does. They have a business that’s ready to change hands to the next generation. Jane’s the one to take that on.”
“You never talked to Drake about any of this?” I sigh. “Why wouldn’t he discuss this with you?”
His gaze floats around the apartment. “I believe he thought he’d be letting me down. He’s kept the New York office running on his own for years. Doing that remotely isn’t an easy task. I’m learning that firsthand. Things are piling up back in San Francisco that I need to take care of in person.”
He’s trying to help my brother by giving him an out.
“Newlyweds shouldn’t spend half their time apart.” He chuckles. “I don’t want that for Drake. He should be all-in on this marriage. Selling the apartment and setting up an office in London is the way to make that happen.”
Shocked, I stare at him. “You’re setting up an office for Cabbott in London so Drake can move there?”
“I’m helping your brother live the life he deserves.” His gaze drops to the floor. “He’s done more for me than I had a right to ask for, so this is my way of paying him back. A London office has been on our radar for a few years. I can’t think of a better time to make it a reality.”
I sit in silence, absorbing everything he just told me.
“Selling this apartment is the right move for Drake and me.” He inches toward me. “He’s lived here for this long because he knew I’d have a hell of a time letting this place go, but it’s time.”
“I didn’t realize the apartment meant that much to you,” I say, fishing for more.
“Not to me.” He shakes his head. “It meant a lot to someone I cared about, but that was years ago. It’s time to hand it over to someone else.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Case
I waitfor her to ask me the question I know is sitting on the tip of her tongue. My gaze drops to her pretty lips.
The fire that was in her when she decided to step up to the plate and go to bat for her brother caught me off guard.
I like that she didn’t back down when she thought I screwed Drake over.
“Thank you for explaining all of that to me.” Her shoulders push forward. “You’re doing a lot for Drake. I know he’ll appreciate it.”
I didn’t expect her to skip past my declaration about this apartment holding special meaning to someone I cared about. I thought she’d press for more details.
Opening up to her about that isn’t going to happen. I’ve been hanging on by the barest thread since I got to New York. I need to leave this place in my past.
“When will you tell him?” She tugs on the hem of the tank top, stretching it taut over her breasts.
I force my gaze to her face. “Tomorrow. On his birthday.”
“It’s his wedding day too,” she adds.
Drake’s life is changing at warp speed. I’m happy for him. I don’t know anyone who deserves this more than he does.
“So Pam and Rod were looking at the apartment?” Emma nudges her knee closer to mine. “Maya mentioned someone named Anton. Is that another prospective buyer?”
Since I let the cat out of the bag, there’s no reason not to share the details with Emma. “Several people have looked at this place. Maya feels confident that she’s found a buyer. She’ll know more tomorrow.”
“It’s a beautiful apartment.” She lowers her gaze to the coffee table. “The first time I came to visit Drake, I almost fell over out of shock when I walked through the door.”
I felt the same way seven years ago when I followed a real estate broker into the apartment.
