“Hey there, handsome.” She laughs as he kisses her cheek and then hands her a card.
“From Nate and I.” He smirks.
“Where is that hottie?”
Thankfully our floor is key access only—our conversations always sound inappropriate.
Lauren has been with me since day one, and she’s formed a unique, different friendship with each of us.
“He’s in Dubai with Seb, working on the new hotel, and I leave for Copenhagen in about five minutes.”
She opens the envelope, looks up, looks down, and then squeals so loud I’m sure my eardrums have burst. “Holy fucking shitballs! Thank you, thank you!” she yells and starts running around in circles until her ankle almost gives out from the heels she can never walk straight in. “Is this real life?”
“Let me see.” I hold out my hand and smile when I see it’s something to do with the Broadway show Hamilton.
“Leo. Two premiere seats and dinner with the cast. How the hell did you even pull this off?”
He waggles his brows. “I have to keep some secrets to myself.”
She looks at me. “How will your present ever top this?”
“Maybe I didn’t get you anything.”
Now I’m going to tease her and wait to give her the Chanel bag she’s been dying for, for years.
She widens her eyes. “Don’t even joke like that.”
“Hey, you look like shit,” Leo chimes in, glancing over my face.
“Yeah, he’s about to go off the deep end. You better be ready to resuscitate because I draw the line at doing mouth-to-mouth with him.” She sticks out her tongue and fakes a gag.
“Yeah, thanks a lot. Get back to work,” I snap. “Actually, both of you get the fuck out. Playtime is over.”
She salutes me, then leaves.
Leo stands there staring at me with a pensive look on his face.
“What?” I demand.
“Could this possibly have something to do with Jules?”
“Not this fucking crap again, Leo. You know my deal with Seb. I’m trying to work it out, but mind your business.”
He takes a meaningful breath. “Unfortunately, it is my business.” He puts his hand in his suit jacket and pulls out a pink envelope.
I step back. “What is that?” I ask although I don’t need to. I recognize it right away.
He doesn’t need to explain.
I’ve given one to Seb when he hit rock bottom, and I have a stack for Claud for when she’s older.
Leo places it on my desk. “Love you, brother, but it’s your time for one.” Then, he walks out of my office without another word.
Fuck.
Slowly, I step closer to the envelope like it’s going to bite me, and then eventually, I sit and pick it up, staring for what feels like forever.
The envelope burns a hole through my skin, and as bright as I am, I feel foolish. I should be running to read her words.
