“Keep it,” I tell her. “You can give it back … another time.”
She nods, pulling the coat tighter around her shoulders. “Another time,” she echoes, and then turns toward the entrance. The doorman opens it for her, nodding a greeting.
She pauses, glancing back at me with a smile that makes my heart race. “Thanks again, Wes. For everything.” And then she’s gone, disappearing into the building with my coat and, it feels like, a piece of my heart.
I stand dumbfounded for a few moments, the realization seeping in.
I might be in total awe of the most off-limits woman ever.
The best I can ever do is be her friend…
And even that seems like a privilege.
Chapter Seven
Brittany
“Come on!” Parker shouts at the TV, and I jump sideways with my coffee, spilling it down the front of my white blouse.
Oh no!
I let out a sharp breath as I dive for the paper towels, ripping way more than necessary off the roll. I dab furiously at my chest, already knowing that it’s a waste. Pursing my lips, I set my coffee back down and then make my way into the living room.
“Is there a reason you’re yelling at the TV?” I demand, folding my arms across my chest. I get that this isn’t my house, but still … I want to know why my brother is being so obnoxious.
Parker gestures to the screen from the couch, where I expect to see sports…
“The Price is Right?” I gape, making a face. “Are you serious right now?”
“These people clearly don’t study up enough before they get on this show.” Parker reaches for the bag of chips sitting beside him. “I would dosomuch more research. In fact, I’d probably win if I was picked.”
“I had no idea your ego was so big.” I snort, shaking my head.
“What happened to your shirt?” Parker eyes the fresh stain, his blond brows furrowing.
“Just coffee,” I say, deciding not to point the finger. Like I said, it’shishome. If he wants to yell at the lady who messed up the price of a new Mercedes, then that’s on him. However, it does confirm that … “I really need to go apartment hunting.”
Parker grabs the remote and pauses the TV, looking up at me. “It’s only been a week since you moved in. You don’t have to rush out of here before you’re ready. I had the movers take your things to my storage building.”
“I know, and I appreciate it…” My voice trails off as I tighten my grip around myself, the heartbreak squeezing my chest. “But I also think that if I stay here, then I’ll keep wallowing. I don’t want to do that. I need a fresh start, you know?”
“Ah, yeah, I guess.” He purses his lips. “I hate apartment hunting.”
I sigh, raking my fingers through my hair and messing the waves I just so carefully put in it. “Well, who else is gonna go with me?”
“Dad?” Parker offers, giving me an amused look.
“No,” I say sternly. “We both know his standards arewaytoo low. Plus, he’s still convinced he needs to send one of his friends’ kids to go beat up Cal. I don’t want to encourage that kind of behavior.”
“I mean, I have to say…” Parker grins. “This might be one of the few times I agree with him. Also, there’s nothing wrong with a budget-friendly apartment.”
“Says the man who lives in a penthouse,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I don’t want to evenhearit from you.”
He chuckles, his shoulders bouncing before it fades along with the amusement on his face. “Are you planning on going out looking for one today, or…?”
I rock back onto my heels. I’ve still yet to put on my Nikes. “Well, I mean, itisSaturday. I don’t have a lot of free time; we have a big case coming up next week. I don’t really need to be dipping out to go house hunting.”
“Apartmenthunting.”
