He looked exhausted. Worse than before somehow, if that was even possible. I frowned up at him. “What did you need to see me about?”
“I just didn’t get a chance to thank you,” he said. “For being there for Jane back in New York.”
“Oh,” I said softly. “Of course. It’s not necessary to thank me for that.”
“It is,” he said firmly. “She appreciated it and so did I.”
I smiled, feeling a strange tinge of sympathy for a man I never thought I’d feel anything for at all. “How is she doing?”
His expression shifted into fondness and exasperation at the same time. “Honestly? She’s more upset about slowing down at work than she is about being sick. She’s been throwing up for three weeks straight, but for some reason, the part that bothers her most is having to take a step back.”
I winced. “That sounds miserable.”
“It is, but she’s tough.”
“That she is,” I agreed easily. “I may not know her that well yet, but I already know that to be true. Is there anything I can do for her?”
Alex’s face softened. “We’re staying in our penthouse at the St. Regis. You should come by. She’d love to see you.”
I nodded immediately. “Of course. I actually forgot my dad mentioned you lived in the same building. I’d like to pop in sometime.”
“Do,” he said, his tone surprisingly friendly. “Charlotte and Trent are flying in for a few days too, to help out wherever they can.”
My eyebrows rose. “Your sister and her husband, right?”
He nodded, grimacing like he couldn’t believe he’d missed something. “I’m sorry. I forget you probably haven’t had a chance to meet them yet, but you’ll love Charlotte. Everyone does. She’s like sunshine.”
His features softened so much, he actually seemed human again for once, and I smiled. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve heard a lot about her and I’m sure extra support will make a big difference for Jane.”
“Definitely.” He gave me a tired smile in return, then excused himself. “I should get going. I’ve still got a few more stops to make in the office before I can go home. See you around, Kate.”
Before I could even respond, he was heading down the hall with the slightly rushed, distracted energy of someone whose thoughts were already somewhere else. I stood there a moment longer, watching him go.
So much was going on right now that I honestly didn’t even know where to begin. Jane was sick. Alex was taking a step back. Nate, Will, and I were all stepping up. The acquisition was moving at lightning speed and a wedding had just been shoved into the middle of it all like a final, glittering complication.
I pressed my lips together and exhaled slowly.One thing at a time. I have to get my laptop first.
After retrieving it from the conference room, I tucked it under my arm and made my way back to Nate’s office. There was still so much we hadn’t talked about, but we just didn’t have time to do it before we got married.
That was the part that gnawed at me. Every instinct I had wanted to slow down, sort through the emotional wreckage, figure out what we were doing, and how to make it work. Instead, we were sprinting straight into our vows.
Nate was behind his desk when I got back, sitting now but with his phone in his hand. He looked up immediately, smiling when his gaze landed on mine. I slowed slightly as I approached, wondering why he looked so pleased all of a sudden.
“What?” I asked after he set the phone down.
He leaned back in his chair, considering me like I was a puzzle he was enjoying solving. “I was just wondering whether you’re going to remain a Yankees fan now that we’re getting married.”
I frowned. That wasnotwhat I’d expected. “A Yankees fan?”
“Yeah. Are you?”
A soft laugh came out of me. “I was neverthatserious about it.”
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “No?”
“Nah, I went to a few games and I own a hat, but that’s about the extent of my devotion.”
Relief trickled across his features. “Good.”
