Page 25 of Never Till Now

Is she still using that moment to her advantage?

“I’m just saying, best friend or not, you shouldn’t have to rearrange your day for someone else’s kids.” This man never sleeps and still manages to smile and fill a parental role.

“Come on, they’re like family to me too.”

I vow to not associate with Lauren for the next couple of days and focus on family. She wasn’t supposed to take up this much of my free time. Yet, I enjoy my time with her. That would be a red flag if I knew she wasn’t as strict as me with our rules.

“Why didn’t my mom watch the kids?”

“Helen went with Kelsie, and you had your meeting.”

“Thanks, Max. Kelsie better know how lucky she is to have you as a friend.” His eyes flash something unreadable for a moment but my stomach grumbles and I don’t care to ask. “Mallory and James love you. Sometimes I wish you were our brother instead of Emmett.”

“Emmett will come around. He just needs time.”

“He’s had plenty.” I don’t bother to hide my annoyance. “I’m grabbing lunch. Do you want something?”

“Nah, I better get this little guy down for a nap before Mallory gets home from camp.” He heads to the elevator.

I make my way across the street to grab a sandwich. I order and take a seat reflecting on the past years.

If there was any guy out there too good for anyone, it would be Max. I’ve never asked why he hasn’t settled down, but I don’t need him asking me that question either, even though he witnessed my main reason. I think back to the days we’d go to clubs or on my parents’ yacht to party it up with college women. Kelsie would turn her face up in disgust and lecture us about being better. He started to leave me to party on my own while his friendship grew even stronger with my sister. That was also around the time Kelsie met her piece-of-shit husband.

The door chimes, pulling me out of thought as my grandfather enters and takes the seat across from me. Meeting here has been our weekly tradition since I started working for the company. I stir my coffee, knowing his next sentence verbatim.

“You ordered my favorite, right?”

“Pastrami on rye, no onions.” The staff knows our order without us having to open our mouths. Over the years, it’s never changed.

“You missed last week.” His eyes crinkle inquisitively. “You’ve never rescheduled our lunch a day in your life.”

“I promised a friend to be a tour guide.” I choose my words carefully. “I didn’t want to cancel since they’re new to the city.”

“Ah, yes.” His smile has been passed on for generations and I know why Lauren calls me Charmer. “The princess practitioner.”

“Lauren.” An odd warmth waves through me as her name leaves my lips. “And she’s nothing like a princess.”

But my list of past women had been princesses. Thinking that their prestigious family names entitled them to be waited on. The women expected to be spoiled for the lame-ass reason that they deserve it. Lauren gives her time to people. She wasn’t worried about having a full face of makeup or needing her hair and outfit done to the nines in order to walk outside. She wore confidence as her sex appeal and holy fuck does it work. Even though her taste in lingerie is pricey, she isn’t flashy in the least.

“You really like this woman.” My grandfather leans forward with a smug grin.

When did our food arrive?

“It’s not what you think,” I defend and pick up my sandwich. “She’s barely even a friend.”

“It’s exactly what I think.”

“And that is?”

“Now, what kind of wise old man would I be if I told you?” He stares through me, reading more than I think I can hide. “I need to start traveling again. The legacy we’ve created needs to transfer responsibilities.”

This is either about our new Aspen building or the dreaded great-grandchild talk again.

“How about the days when we used to not focus so much on work and expansion?” I changed the subject. “Remember when we’d all venture to the cabin a few times a year? We don’t need more responsibility transfers yet.”

“You’re right.” He clears his throat. “We need to connect as a family again.”

The smell of rubber and the clanking of weights surround me as I make my way to the fitness classroom. I set up the different circuits for my class as a blonde ponytail and long legs catch my attention passing by the door. I peek my head around the corner. A yoga mat is tucked under her arm and I can’t fight my smile when I noticed the oversized hoodie she’s wearing. The one she swore she would return. Lauren catches up with one of the females from my class. The short one that my niece could surpass in height next year.