I snort a laugh and briefly consider what it would be like to go away somewhere with Will. Like me, I know he enjoys traveling to Europe, although he’d probably make me go on hikes or adrenaline-fueled adventures involving quad bikes and bungee jumping.
I, on the other hand, would happily settle for a good book and a lounge chair.
“No, we aren’t going on a vacation. In fact, it’s a business trip to Brooklyn. I’m accompanying Will on an away series. He has a big sponsorship meeting while he’s in town.”
Vesper looks impressed. “Nice. So, you won’t be sharing a hotel room then?”
I squeeze my thighs together. “Absolutely not. Will is staying in the team’s hotel and rooming with Silas.”
At the mention of his name, she looks away, a flash of discomfort in her eyes.
I take another sip of cocktail, the alcohol already loosening my tongue. “Can I ask you something?”
I’m met with a side-eye. “If it’s about the Rogues captain, then no. Nothing good can come of me talking about him.”
If her aim was to suppress my curiosity, then she’s only succeeded in piquing it.
“Is there … history between you and Silas?”
Vesper bursts out laughing. “What?! As in a romantic history? Hell no! Like I told you before, I’m dating his brother—have been for a while. Silas is a unique character, and he and my boyfriend don’t always see eye to eye.”
I’d buy her story if it wasn’t accompanied with a crimson flush across her cheeks. That said, Vesper doesn’t strike me as the type of girl who would get involved with another guy while still seeing someone else, and especially not his brother.
She’s too straightforward for that shit.
“You know I’m here if you ever want to talk about things, right?” I lift my eyes from the cocktail glass to the gorgeous girl standing in front of me.
I hope she can read between the lines and decipher that I’m not only referring to Silas, but also the boyfriend who doesn’t give me great vibes. I’ve never met him, but from my brief interactions with Silas, I feel like he is a good judge of character—case in point: he doesn’t like Lydia.
“I know, and I appreciate that.”
Another Manhattan slides alongside my half-full glass when I feel a vibration in my shoulder bag.
Reaching inside, I pull out my cell and pause when I see Kate’s name on the screen.
What does she want?
Kate
Hey, girl. So, a little birdie told me you’re heading to Brooklyn tomorrow night with the team. What are your plans after the meeting with Repeet? It feels only right that we invite you and your dad to a night hosted by the Jones family. Sometimes, a good charcuterie board is the only appropriate remedy for working with my son. He can be a handful, I know.
On Saturday night, we’re going to have dinner at the Japanese restaurant Will hasn’t stopped talking about. That said, how am I supposed to tell her that without it sounding like a date? Or maybe I’m reading way too much into this. We could be going out for a business meal to decompress after the meeting.
Hitting Reply, I begin typing out a response and then delete it. I begin typing again when another message lands from Kate.
Kate
And if you’re wondering about the Japanese meal Will booked for you both, he said he’ll just treat you when you get back to Seattle. My advice would be to take him for all he’s worth. He’s got more money than sense, that boy.
I chuckle and breathe a sigh of relief that she already knows about the meal.
Me
I assume he told you about his latest car.
Kate
The Ferrari? Yes. That money was supposed to be invested and not wasted on a supercar he absolutely does not need, but there’s no telling Will sometimes.
