“Downstairs where?”
“The lounge at the St. Regis.”
I closed my eyes. “You did not.”
“What? It’s a nice place.”
“It’s members only, Will. You’re not a member. Unless you’ve moved in now too and forgot to tell me?”
“Nah, but I’m with a member,” he said smugly. “You.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Fuck. Now? Can’t you call Alex if you’re bored?”
“Alex?” He scoffed. “What do you think I am, a monster? I’m not going to pull him down here while he’s got a sick wife at home. Jeez, bro. Have a heart.” He paused for a beat. “So, are you coming down or am I drinking alone and telling the bartender your entire life story?”
I shoved my free hand into my hair, but I already knew there would be no getting out of this. “Give me five minutes.”
“Make it three. This whiskey is expensive and I want you to suffer with the check.”
I hung up before he could say anything else, doubling back for a shirt and shoes before I headed down. The lobby wasquiet at this hour, the lighting soft enough that it kind of gave the impression that the building itself was trying not to disturb anyone.
Too bad my brother didn’t catch a hint from it.
The lounge was tucked behind a discreet doorway that most people probably walked past without noticing, but that was the point of it. Members only, it was supposed to offer privacy and exclusivity, creating the illusion that whatever happened inside stayed there.
When I walked in, Will was sprawled in one of the leather chairs like he owned the entire building. He spotted me immediately, lifting his glass in greeting. “Finally. Took you long enough.”
“It’s mywedding night,” I said as I dropped into the seat across from him. “You’re lucky I came at all.”
“Yeah, yeah. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.” His head cocked as he swept his gaze across my face, lingering on my mussed hair before he smirked. “It looks like you’ve already enjoyed your wedding night, so I don’t feel too bad about interrupting.”
“It looks like I was about to go to sleep.”
He arched an eyebrow at me, then lifted his hands with his palms turned toward me. “Hey, man. If that’s how you want to play it, that’s fine by me. You don’t have to give me any details, but?—”
“You have thirty minutes.”
“Wow. You’re so generous.”
A server appeared and I ordered a whiskey. She left and Will leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Emma.”
I groaned. “That’swhat you’re doing here?Now?”
“Yes, now.” He gave me an exasperated look. “Last time we talked, you were convinced this whole thing was a disaster waiting to happen. You were going to meet with her to set therecord straight and I never heard anything after that. If there’s a scandal heading our way, I need to know, Nate.”
“Don’t worry about it. The crisis has been averted.”
“Just like that?” He shook his head. “Nope, you’re going to have to do better.”
When my drink arrived, I stared into my glass for a long moment, watching the ice settle and trying to decide how much to tell him. “Things changed.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
He snorted. “Bullshit. Something happened and I need to know what.” Will’s eyes narrowed when I didn’t respond. “Oh my God. Somethingdefinitelyhappened.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
