Chapter 4
I kicked off my sandals, the cool hardwood floor a welcome relief against my overheated feet. Depositing them in the closet, I hung my purse on the doorknob before returning to the living room. Ty”s eyelids drooped, his breathing slowing as he drifted off to sleep, a soft snore escaping his lips. Sadie”s mischievous giggle filled the room, adding a mysterious air to the scene.
We walked several blocks to my apartment building. I loved the heat, but I was uncomfortable and longed for the air conditioning. When I got upstairs, Sadie was lounging on the couch with the bag of pretzels between her legs. She threw them on the coffee table as we walked into the small entryway.
”Hey, Ty,” Sadie greeted.
Ty crossed over to the couch, bending down to embrace Sadie. She shot me a sly glance before releasing him.
”You look like you”re making yourself at home,” Ty remarked, straightening up.
”Of course. Care to join me?” Sadie invited, patting the cushion beside her. Ty accepted the offer, sinking into the couch with a contented sigh.
I slipped off my sandals, relishing the release from the day”s weight as I carried them into the dimly lit bedroom. The closet swallowed them whole, and I hung my purse on the doorknob, a silent sentinel guarding my belongings.
I kicked off my sandals and carried them to my bedroom, where I deposited them into the closet, hanging my purse on the doorknob. When I returned, Ty’s eyelids drooped as he laid his head back on the couch. He was asleep in a minute, softly snoring. Sadie giggled.
”That was quick,” Sadie remarked, her voice a whisper in the stillness.
”He only got a few hours of sleep before we met for lunch,” I replied, my tone hushed, as if afraid to disturb the delicate balance of Ty”s repose.
”Should we wake him up?” Sadie questioned, a hint of concern threading through her words.
”Leave him alone. We can hang out in my room,” I suggested, my voice barely above a murmur.
Sadie rose from the couch with silent grace, the pretzel bag in hand crinkling as she placed it atop the refrigerator. We left Ty to slumber, retreating to my room.
”What did you talk about at lunch?” Sadie inquired, her voice a gentle prompt, probing but careful.
I toyed with a loose thread on my comforter, my gaze fixed upon it as if it held the answers to all my unspoken fears. ”He asked me some questions about my father”s murder.”
”But you don”t remember anything,” Sadie stated, her voice a mix of sympathy and understanding.
I winced at the reminder, the ache of loss throbbing beneath the surface. ”I know, but it upset me. I know he”s trying to solve the case, but I don”t want to discuss it. It hurts too much.”
Sadie”s hand found mine, a silent gesture of comfort. ”I”m sorry,” she murmured, her words a soothing balm against the raw edges of my grief.
”It”s not your fault. It”s not anybody”s fault but the man that killed him,” I replied, meeting her gaze for the first time, the weight of my sorrow heavy in the silence between us.
”Maybe the case will never be solved,” Sadie offered, a tentative hope lacing her words.
”I hope not. Someone needs to pay for his death,” I declared, the conviction in my voice a testament to the justice I sought.
Sensing my agitation, Sadie changed the subject, a subtle shift in focus to ease the tension that hung between us. ”Dan called,” she announced, her voice a welcome distraction from the darkness threatening to consume us both.
”From work?” I questioned, my curiosity piqued.
I wanted to shake my head at her. Sadie had a bad habit of jumping into relationships with both feet, and when they didn’t work out, I had to pick up the pieces. But I couldn’t say anything because I knew I should be a supportive friend.
“He wants to have brunch tomorrow,” she said excitedly.
“Did you say yes?”
“Of course. He’s paying, and it’s all the mimosas you can drink.”
“Is that the only reason you’re going?” I questioned.
Sadie sawed her bottom lip with her teeth, smearing the light lipstick she wore. “That, and I’m curious about him. For all I know, he could be the one.”
I sighed. “You’re not even twenty-two yet and want to get chained down? What happened to enjoying yourself?”
“Unless Matt plans to ask me to marry him, I’ll have to find someone else.”
I frowned. “You haven’t even dated Matt. He can be a dick when he wants to be.”
“You say that because he’s your brother. I say the same thing about mine.”
I shrugged. “Forget Matt. He’ll break your heart.”
“Newsflash, Stewart, your brother is hot. Both of them are hot, but Matt is more my speed. Finley is sort of a nerd even though he’s a gorgeous nerd.”
“He’s married to his business right now anyway; I doubt he has time for women.”
“I bet he gets plenty to share his bed.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Gross. I don’t want to think about my brother sleeping with women.”
“What about sleeping with me?” Sadie asked.
I put my fingers in my ears and started to sing a song. Sadie loved to push the envelope when it came to sex. She started tickling me, and I had to take my fingers out of my ears to push her hands away.
“So what time is this brunch?”
“11 am at The Wyatt. They serve champagne brunch buffet.”
I arranged my pillows against the headboard and leaned back. Sadie averted her gaze because she knew I might chastise her.
I raised my eyebrows. “The Wyatt? That place is expensive. How much does Dan make?”
“His parents have money. They own a few restaurants and car dealerships in New Jersey.”
I frowned but didn’t comment about money. I know Sadie wanted a better life than she had growing up. She didn’t have what I did, but her parents loved her and tried to give her whatever they could afford.
“Does he drive a new car?”
“It makes no sense to drive in the city, you know that. He told me he has a BMW at his parent’s home.”
I heard Ty grumble and we both looked out the bedroom door to see him repositioning himself, so he was stretched out on the couch. We left him alone and let him sleep. I felt sorry for him with his schedule. I didn’t know how he did it each week.
“Ty seems happy.”
“As far as I know, he is.”
She caught my gaze, a look of knowing. “He would probably be happier if he could date you.”
“How would you know?” I asked.
“Because he loves you.”
“He has a crush on me. He doesn’t love me.”
I knew that wasn’t true because he did love me, and he was in love with me. But his love was unrequited. I would never feel anything more than sisterly love for Ty as much as he wanted it to be different.
“Keep telling yourself that. You never told me if you found any of the guys interesting at your office. Anyone you could see dating?”
“Not really. I don’t know many people.”
“Have you seen Oliver Fox?”
I thought back to my disappointment when I didn’t see him all week. I think I had a case of puppy love or infatuation, but nothing would ever happen between us.
“Yesterday, when I was coming out of the building. He was getting in his car.”
“Wouldn’t it be crazy if he asked you out?”
I could see the wheels turning in her head. You would think she had a chance to date Oliver Fox.
I scowled. “Are you nuts? What would he want with me?”
She nudged my leg. “Why wouldn’t he want you? You’re young, smart, and beautiful.”
I snorted, feeling uncomfortable. I always did when people talked about my looks. “Says you.”
“So you’re not young?”
“I’m smart but not beautiful. I guess I’m a little above average.”
Sadie chuckled. “You’re fucking kidding, right?”
“Not at all.”
“Do you know how many guys wanted to date you at school?”
“I can’t imagine since I haven’t had a date in months.”
She continued. “Plenty.”
“Then why didn’t they ask?”
“You would have to ask them.”
I was curious about the droves of men who wanted to ask me out because none seemed interested.
“Like who?”
“Rick Chalian. He had a big case of the likes.”
Rick was my lab partner in one of my business classes. Nothing told me that he wanted anything but a platonic relationship.
“He never acted on it. I think you’re wrong.”
“Believe what you want.”
My cell began to ring. I hurried to retrieve it before it woke up Ty and saw it was Matt calling.
“Hi. Not working today?”
“I just got finished. What are you doing?”
“Nothing really. Ty is here with me and Sadie. He’s sleeping.”
“He should get a job that doesn’t keep him out until all hours of the night.”
I laughed. “Shut up, Matt. You work fifteen-hour days. You’re not one to talk.”
“I need you to take care of Blackie.”
Blackie was my brother’s French Bulldog and I loved that little dog besides, being at Matt’s luxury apartment was like a spa day.
“For how long?”
“Until Wednesday. I have a client in Dallas I need to see.”
“Can I bring Sadie?”
“Yeah, I expected you to with your nightma…”
Matt stopped talking and I waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, I finished his sentence.
“Nightmares. I don’t have them as much. Can we order food?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Do whatever you want but make sure to clean up Blackie’s mess when you walk him, or you’ll get fined.”
I wrinkled my nose. I wasn’t keen on cleaning up Blackie’s poop, but it was a necessary evil.
“I know the drill. When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“I have to work. I won’t be able to walk Blackie during the day.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll ask the concierge to take care of it.”
“I’ll be there by noon.”
“Awesome. Thank you. I’ll bring you back something, Texas.”
“Like what? A steak?”
Matt laughed loudly into the receiver. “How about a whole cow?”
“As long as you keep it in your apartment.”
“I’ll talk to you when I get back. Love you.”
“Love you too. Have a safe trip.”
“Will do.”
I hung up the phone and saw Sadie’s face in the mirror; she was grinning from ear to ear while rubbing her hands together. She’d stayed with me at my brother’s place before. We had more space to move and two bathrooms.
“Matt is going away?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yes. He wants me to watch Blackie.”
She clasped her hands together. “I can’t wait. I’m ordering a black truffle burger for dinner.”
“He said we can order whatever we want.”
“I’m excited. Should I go pack?”
“We’re not going over until noon tomorrow.”
She pursed her lips. “Fuck. I have brunch with Dan. I won’t be home at noon.”
“Just pack your bag, and I’ll bring it over with me.”
“Works for me.”
She bounced up from my bed and went to her room. I could hear her drawers and closet door banging as she packed her clothes. Matt’s apartment was ten times the size of ours. It made me wonder if he got lonely living in such a big place with only Blackie to keep him company.
Matt”s apartment was a mansion compared to ours, a sprawling oasis in the heart of the city. With ten times the space and amenities to match, it made me wonder if he ever felt a pang of loneliness in such a grand place, with only Blackie to keep him company.
The lavish residence boasted a large terrace overlooking Central Park, a luxury that seemed unimaginable in our modest surroundings. Three bedrooms ensured that Sadie and I could each have our own space, a rare indulgence in our cramped city living.
The floors gleamed with dark wood and light marble, a testament to Matt”s impeccable taste. But the pièce de résistance was the wall of glass that framed the park, offering a breathtaking view of the lush greenery beyond.
Peeking out of my bedroom door, I observed Ty still nestled on the couch, his slumber undisturbed by the flurry of activity around him. It afforded me the opportunity to focus on the task at hand: packing my suitcase for tomorrow. As I folded clothes and gathered essentials, Ty began to stir, his awakening signaled by a resounding yawn that filled the room.
“Did you have a nice nap?” I asked.
“I’m sorry. I was exhausted.”
I exited my bedroom to sit near him, “We didn’t need to have lunch today. It could’ve been dinner, so you could sleep later.”
“I’m fine. Are you going somewhere?” he said as he gestured to my suitcase that I left outside my bedroom door.
“I’m spending a few nights at Matt’s place. I need to watch Blackie.”
“You’re leaving tonight?” Ty asked.
I shook my head. “No, tomorrow afternoon. He has to go to Texas.”
“Will you be all right in that big apartment by yourself?”
“She won’t be by herself,” Sadie said as she came out of her room.
“You’re going?”
“Of course. I’m not passing up the chance to sleep in that place.”
Sadie grabbed a soda from the refrigerator and returned to her room, leaving me alone with Ty. I heard her talking a minute later, which meant she was on the phone.
“What are you doing tonight?” Ty asked.
“Nothing, really. I’ll probably watch some television and order a pizza.”
“Pizza sounds good. You don’t have anything going on tonight?”
He smiled. “You ever feel so lazy that you don’t want to do anything? That’s how I feel right now. I just want to decompress for the rest of the day.”
“You can hang out here. What do you want to do?”
“Nothing. This couch is comfortable.” He moved over to the chaise and kicked off his shoes. “I’m sorry I had my shoes on your couch.”
I flicked my hand. “It’s fine. I’m sure you won’t be the last person to do it. Matt and Finley got us this couch. The whole living room was a graduation gift. They also gave us a couple of gift cards to get other stuff.”
“That was nice of them. How is Finley?”
“As busy as ever. You know him; he’s worse than Matt regarding work.”
“Your brothers are workaholics,” he stated.
I chuckled. “Look who’s talking?”
He bit his lip. “I want to apologize again for the thing at lunch. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s forgotten. I wish I could help.”
“I’m exploring a few things, but I can tell you about them later if they pan out.”
I sighed loudly and grabbed the remote from the table, switching on the large flatscreen television. I stretched out and had the top of my head against Ty’s thigh. He began to stroke my hair and I closed my eyes. If I had those feelings for him, I would go for it.
As I stirred from sleep, the apartment enveloped in the fading light of dusk, I found Ty still lost in slumber. With a groggy sigh, I sat up, rubbing the remnants of sleep from my eyes, my mind foggy with the remnants of dreams. Where was Sadie? My gaze wandered around the dimly lit room, searching for any sign of her presence.
A flash of yellow caught my eye, and I spotted a sticky note resting on the coffee table. I reached for it with a curious frown, unfolding the message scrawled in Sadie”s familiar handwriting.
Hey sleepyhead,
Didn”t want to wake you or Ty. Dan wanted to meet for drinks. I”ll be back later. Have fun.
Love ya,
Sadie
It seemed it was just Ty and me for dinner then. Crumpling up the note, I gently shook Ty awake, his form stirring as consciousness slowly returned.
”Shit, did I fall asleep again?” Ty”s voice was rough with sleep, his eyes blinking blearily as he took in his surroundings.
“So did I. Sadie isn’t here, so it’s just us for dinner. What do you want on your pizza? I’m starving.”
“Pepperoni and meatball.”
My mouth watered. “Mmm, that sounds good. Let me call Guiseppe’s around the corner. They deliver.”
“Where’s the bathroom?”
I pointed. “Down the hall, the middle door on the left.”
Ty rose from the couch with a lazy stretch, his yawn reverberating through the quiet apartment as he navigated the short hallway toward the bathroom. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly dialed the pizza place, placing an order while Ty was occupied.
By the time he emerged, rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes, the order was in. He reached for his wallet, and I intercepted him with a determined stance.
”You paid for lunch. This is my place, so I pay for dinner,” I insisted firmly, my tone leaving no room for negotiation.
”I insist,” Ty countered, his expression equally resolute.
”Tough. I”m paying,” I declared, unwilling to back down.
Ty relented with a resigned sigh, and I slipped to my room to retrieve a twenty from my wallet. He was waiting in the doorway as I returned, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings of my room.
”Cute room. I like the comforter. You always did like blue,” he remarked, a hint of nostalgia coloring his words.
My room was a sanctuary of varying shades of blue, a reflection of my lifelong affinity for the calming hue, though the walls remained white per the landlord”s decree.
”Thanks. Mom helped me pick out the bedroom stuff,” I replied, a fond smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
As I passed through the doorway, Ty followed me into the kitchen, his presence comforting.
”What do you want to drink?” I inquired, turning to face him.
”I don”t suppose you have any red stout in there,” Ty replied with a playful grin, his eyes dancing with mischief.
I wrinkled my nose. ”Absolutely not. If you”re a regular visitor, I might consider it,” I teased in response.
”I”d like to be,” Ty replied, his voice soft with sincerity.
I could feel the warmth of his body beside me as I reached for two water bottles, preparing to set them on the small breakfast bar. But before I could react, I found myself enveloped in Ty”s embrace, the drinks slipping from my fingers to thud against the counter. His lips met mine in a tender kiss, igniting a spark of familiarity that danced between us.
For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But then I surrendered to the kiss, allowing myself to be swept away by the familiarity and warmth of Ty”s touch. He was a great kisser, a fact I knew all too well from our shared history of adolescent experimentation.
He pulled me against him and stroked my partially bare back with his fingers. I was lost in the moment and ran my hands through his hair before I finally returned to reality and backed away.
Ty was apologetic. “I’m sorry. I really like you Ryleigh.”
I clenched my jaw. “We can’t.”
“Tell me, why not?” he demanded.
“Because you’re like my brother. I’ve known you my entire life.”
“Then you just kissed your brother,” he said with a grin.
“That’s not funny.”
He clucked his tongue. “It’s kinda funny.”
“Just don’t do it again. I love you, Ty, but not in that way.”
I snatched one of the water bottles from the counter, opened it, and took a swig. My heart was pounding, and even though I’d just told Ty I didn’t think of him that way, I was aroused. I tried to ignore it as I got plates from the cabinet. The pizza arrived ten minutes later, and before I got off the lobby phone, Ty was out the door. I yelled at him when he got back.
“I wanted to pay. Take this,” I said as I thrust the money at him.
He put his hands up. “Nope. I’ll let you pay the next time we have lunch.”
“You better.”
As Ty set the pizza down on the small dining table, a chuckle escaped his lips, his easygoing demeanor diffusing the tension that had simmered between us moments before. With appetites whetted by anticipation, we dug into the cheesy slices with gusto, the savory flavors momentarily distracting us from our kiss.
Conversation flowed freely as we discussed our plans for the upcoming week, Ty tactfully sidestepping the sensitive topic of my father. His considerate gesture didn”t go unnoticed, and a sense of gratitude welled within me, tempered by the lingering unease of our earlier kiss.
As the clock neared 10 p.m., Ty bid his farewell, pressing a chaste kiss to my cheek before disappearing into the night. Alone once more, I found myself grappling with the conflicting emotions that had stirred within me at his touch.
The unsettling realization lingered in the recesses of my mind: perhaps my body knew something that my heart was unwilling to acknowledge. But this was Ty, my steadfast confidant and unwavering support. I couldn”t risk jeopardizing our friendship by entertaining romantic notions.
Sadie wasn’t home when I went to sleep, and I prayed I wouldn’t have a nightmare.
When I woke up, Sadie’s door was closed. It was just after 9:30 a.m. and I knew she needed to be up to get ready for her brunch. I knocked on her door and heard mumbling from behind it.
“What?” she asked, her voice thick with sleep.
“Time to get up. Don’t you have brunch with Dan at 11?”
“Shit, I forgot to set my alarm.”
I opened her door as she sat up in bed. Her hair was a tangled mess, and clothing was strewn on the floor. I knew something happened last night while I slumbered away.
“Did you bring Dan back here?”
“For a while.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Did you have sex?”
She gave me a sheepish look. “Not quite.”
“What’s not quite?”
“We did other things, and then I asked him to leave.”
I shook my head. She was getting into the same pattern she always did, but I didn’t want to get into an argument, so I let it go.
“I won’t even ask. Do you like him?”
“He’s really nice.”
“Could you see yourself with him?”
She shrugged. “I think so, but I’m not deluding myself yet. He could be a jerk, and I just haven’t found that part out yet.”
I decided to change the subject. “Do you want coffee?”
“Yeah,” she yawned. “What happened with Ty last night?”
My heart skipped a beat. “Happened? Nothing. We ordered pizza and watched television.”
“You’re a fool. That man is in love with you.”
I didn’t want to rehash this conversation. “I’m making coffee. Go shower.”
“Yes, Mom!” she called as I walked to the kitchen.
I was eating an English muffin and sipping coffee when Sadie came down the hall dressed in a cute peach dress with a plunging neckline and short hem.
“How do I look?” she said as she twirled around.
“Dan will want to eat you for brunch,” I teased.
“He already did that last night.”
I held my hand up. “Oh God, I don’t want to hear it.”
She widened her stance and crossed her arms. I waited for her to chastise me.
“Why are you such a prude about this? It’s not like you’re a virgin.”
I gulped my coffee, wincing as it burned my tongue. “It’s private. I don’t tell you about my sexual exploits.”
“I would listen if you did.”
“No. Have a cup of coffee.”
“I think I’ll pass. I’ll probably have one with brunch.”
She kissed me on the cheek, wiping the lip gloss she deposited there.
“I’m leaving at 11:30. Come to Matt’s after you finish,” I said.
“I’ll be there. There’s a black truffle topped burger with my name on it for dinner. I have my suitcase packed.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just the one suitcase?”
“And my small overnight bag.”
I snorted. “Jesus, Sadie, we’re only staying for three nights.”
“I don’t want to return here if I can help it.”
I put my cup down. “I’m taking a shower. I’ll see you at Matt’s. Have a good brunch.”