Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Emma
Case Abbott is almost too good-looking.
His shoulders are broad, his chest is wide, and his face is utter perfection.
A sharp jawline combined with full lips and piercing green eyes hit every mark for me.
The skin on his forearms and face is tanned. His hair is a blend of medium brown and what looks like sun-kissed streaks.
Drake once mentioned that his boss likes to surf. It’s impossible not to imagine Case shirtless standing on the beach before he hits the waves.
I shake my head.
What am I doing?
Why am I daydreaming about my brother’s boss when he just kicked me to the curb?
I have to figure out where to go.
Home. I need to go back to Seattle as soon as possible even though that’s the last place I want to be right now.
I scroll through the emails on my phone as I walk down the hallway toward the washroom.
I haven’t even been in New York City for a day. I don’t know what the airline’s policy is about the exchange of return tickets, but they will be my first call.
With any luck, I’ll be on a flight back to Seattle tonight. If that can’t happen, I’ll have to find a cheap hotel to stay at until my travel plans can be altered.
Clicking the phone number link in the reservation email from the airline, I listen while it rings.
I press my way through their automated menu until I’m on hold waiting for an agent.
“We value your business. Please note that your current wait time is approximately…”
I hold my breath, hoping by some miracle, I’ll be talking to a customer service agent in the next twenty seconds.
“Fifty-two minutes.”
“Dammit.” I end the call. “I’ll try changing it online.”
Scouring the email for a link to take me to their website, my gaze lands on the fine print.
Squinting, I read it aloud. “No ticket changes and no refunds permitted.”
This is what I get for buying a discount seat at the last minute. I vaguely recall a warning popping up on my laptop screen about the ticket being non-refundable and changes not allowed, but I quickly skipped reading that in full so I could grab the low price seat.
I plugged in my credit card number, hit the purchase now button, and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
That was less than two days ago.
I walk into the bathroom and grab my hairbrush and the clothes I was wearing when I arrived. A glance in the mirror brings a scowl to my face.
I’m tired, I’m frustrated, and most of all, I’m pissed at myself for thinking it was a great idea to surprise Drake.
My brother is never far from New York City.
The last time he took a real vacation was when he surprised our family with a trip to Hawaii.
He came to Seattle months ago for our parents’ wedding anniversary, but he spent more than half of his time on the phone dealing with work issues.
He was back on a plane to New York less than twenty-four hours after he landed in Washington State.
“I called Drake’s driver. He’ll meet you downstairs. He can take you anywhere you want.”
The sound of Case’s voice turns me toward the doorway.
“Can he take me to wherever Drake is?” I ask with a half-smile.
He shakes his head. “That’s the one place he can’t take you. Are you going to crash with a friend? Or do you need him to drop you off at a hotel?”
He can’t get rid of me fast enough.
His date must be due to arrive at any minute.
I’d say she’s lucky, but he’s not exactly the nicest guy I’ve ever met.
Not that I’d go for another nice guy after the hell I went through with the last one.
“My brother is the only person I know in New York.” I breeze past him into the hallway.
“I was going to fly home, but my ticket is locked in, so I’ll find a hotel for the night.
When I wake up tomorrow, I’ll price out return flights to Seattle.
I’m hoping that I can find a deal on a seat back home.
If I can’t, I’ll be spending the week in Manhattan. ”
At this point, I’m thinking out loud, so I keep going. “I should download one of those travel apps. They’re always advertising that they can find the cheapest hotel rates.”
I can hear the sound of Case’s shoes on the floor as he follows me into the main living area.
I unzip my suitcase far enough to stuff my hairbrush and clothes inside of it.
“One of them had a commercial during the Super Bowl last year. They have that incredibly annoying jingle, and now they’re advertising everywhere on social media.
Everywhere. It’s overkill. I’m crossing that app off my list right now. ”
“You’re talking about Duotrip.”
I spin around to face him. “That’s it. The name isn’t great either.”
His arms cross his chest. “Your brother would disagree with you.”
I drop my hands to my hips because I think I know Drake better than this guy ever will. They may be best friends, but I share a close bond with my brother. We’re a lot alike.
“Drake would hate the name,” I quip.
A wolfish smile settles on Case’s lips. Dimples. The man has dimples.
How is he real?
I glance down at the floor because a smile like that is contagious, and I sense we’re in the middle of an argument about my brother that I want to win.
I want at least one thing to go my way today.
“He named it.”
My head pops up. “What?”
“He named it.” He steps closer to me. “He developed it. He’s the last one to approve all marketing for it, so I’ll be sure to tell him that you think the commercial was shit.”
I raise a hand to stop him from talking. “Drake named it?”
“He stuck the word trip after his initials. D.U.O. Drake Ulysses Owens. The result of that is Duotrip.”
Speechless, I stare at him.
“Did I love the name when he brought it to me? No, but I gave him carte blanche on the project, so I let him take it to market,” he says with a sly grin. “It’s killing it, Emma. You should be proud of your brother.”
I exhale, trying to steady myself. “I thought Cabbott Mobile only developed games.”
“That’s how we started.” He nods. “We’ve branched out the last couple of years. I’m surprised that Drake didn’t mention Duotrip to you. He tells anyone who will listen about it.”
I’m just as surprised that my brother didn’t mention it to me. I had no idea. We used to tell each other everything.
Why do I suddenly feel so far away from Drake?
Tears threaten my eyes as I glance down at my phone. “I’ll download it and find a hotel unless you have one to recommend.”
When I look up, Case’s gaze is locked on my face. Rubbing his jaw, he tilts his head as he studies me. “Fuck it. Stay here. Drake would want it that way.”
Relief washes over me. The thought of being thrust into the clutches of a city I’m unfamiliar with is overwhelming. At least now, I can stay here until I sort out a flight home.
“Are you sure?” I ask, even though I don’t want to give him an out to change his mind. He may be a stranger, but I feel safe here.
“I’m sure, but there’s one condition.” His gaze drops to my laptop bag and suitcase.
“I’ll put all of that in the guestroom,” I say hurriedly. “I’ll stay out of your way. You won’t even know I’m here.”
“I need you to not be here five minutes from now. You can grab a drink. There’s a pub across the street. Eager Pour is the name of it.”
His date. I almost forgot that a woman is meeting him here. I like his suggestion. I can use a cocktail after the day I’ve had. I deserve the treat.
“Drake took me to a pub across the street called Durie’s the last time I was here.” I shrug. “Could that be the same place you’re thinking of?”
“Shit. Maybe the bar changed hands since I left the city.” He slides his thumb across the screen of his phone. “Give me your number. I’ll text you when I’m done. She’ll be in and out of here in fifteen minutes.”
Fifteen minutes?
I think I found Case Abbott’s one flaw. He’s a rushed lover.
I no longer consider the woman meeting him lucky at all.
After calling out my phone number to him, I grab my laptop bag and the handle of my suitcase. I turn to him because I want him to know I’m grateful. “Thank you, Mr. Abbott.”
I have no idea what to call him. He may be my brother’s best friend, but he’s his boss too. I’ve learned in life that you should always show respect to the people who help you.
“Case,” he corrects me. “Call me, Case.”
I grin because that contagious smile of his is on full display again.
A tap of his finger on the face of his watch breaks the spell. “It’s time to get moving, Emma. My guest will be here in ten minutes.”
I roll my suitcase over the floor as I walk toward the guestroom that I’ve stayed in before. This isn’t how I thought today would play out, but I have a bed to sleep in tonight. For now, that’s all that matters.