Chapter One #2
She opened her mouth and closed it. "You remember that?"
"It's coming right up.”
I walked up to a waiter and gave him our order, adding an espresso for myself.
"Where are you sitting?" he asked. "I would have come and taken your order."
"Over there." I pointed in the direction of our table. I hadn't wanted anyone to see Tory crying. This way she'd have a chance to compose herself by the time they brought our coffees.
"I'll be right back with the drinks," he assured me.
"Thank you."
Turning around, I walked toward our table. Tory's shoulders were hunched forward. Not good.
When I sat down, she sighed. "I… I'm sorry for—"
I immediately cut her off. "Don't be." Tory had no need to be embarrassed around me.
She started gesticulating with her hands. "I just… It's been so stressful lately, and…" She looked at her hands and stopped midair, then folded them and put them in her lap.
"What was that?" I asked.
"Walter says it's bad manners to talk with my hands, so I try not to do it."
"Tory! What the hell!" I was so close to going off about the dude, then remembered she was marrying him and it wasn’t in my place to say anything. "It's me, okay? Relax. Tell me what's going on. Or don't tell me. Whatever makes you feel better."
"That's it, though. I don't know what it is. Or how to calm down. I'm not even sure what's gotten me in this state."
"I'm sorry. I've got nothing." I had no clue what to say. It made me wish I could call one of my brothers’ women and ask them for advice.
Tory laughed. "You know what? I don't want to talk about me at all. Just tell me a bit about your family. Catch me up."
We hadn't spoken in a few months or so, and I tried to remember the last time I’d updated her.
"Last I knew," she said, reading my mind, as usual, "Gabe had found a lady, too, so it was just the half-brother trio that was single."
"You can take Maddox off that list now."
Tory burst out laughing. "You're joking."
I shook my head.
"How is it possible?"
"I honestly don't know. I don't want to even think about it."
She narrowed her eyes and playfully hit my arm with the back of her hand. "Aren't you afraid you’re next?"
I cleared my throat just as the waiter came with our drinks.
"Espresso for me," I said.
He set mine down, then put the almond milk cappuccino in front of Tory.
"Thanks," she said, smiling from ear to ear at the waiter before he walked away, then turning to me. "So, Jeannie’s still going strong with her matchmaking efforts?"
"Why did I tell you about that?"
She wiggled her brows. "Because you tell me everything."
That was true… except one thing. I had one secret I’d never shared with her.
The first time I’d met her during orientation day, I’d instantly been attracted to her.
But she'd had a boyfriend, and I had the golden rule—no poaching. I absolutely never hit on someone who was taken. We became close friends… but I’d never stopped wanting her.
"Yeah, well, I called Gran to update her right before I came to see you. She reminded me that she’s still got plans for me and Nick."
"God, she never changes, does she? I'm so happy she’s in good health. Both her and Abe, of course."
"So am I."
"Isn't Nick as stressed about her plans as you are?"
I chuckled. "He’d tell you no, but he's shitting his pants. We all figured it was just the other Whitley batch who had the relationship gene. But once Maddox fell, too, we started to question our assumptions."
"I miss Nick too."
"You're always welcome to come to Boston. Both of you," I added quickly even though I’d be ecstatic if she came alone.
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say, because her smile faded again.
"Yes, maybe I’ll come visit you."
I. Not we.
She took a sip of her drink, crossing and uncrossing her legs. She was wearing long jeans and a light sweater. The weather in New Orleans might be pleasantly warm in April, but the AC in the hotel was absolute shit.
"Tory…," I began.
“Don’t say it," she whispered.
"You don't know what I was about to say."
She looked up at me. "You weren't going to ask how things are between me and Walter?"
I swallowed hard. "It's not fair. How can you still read my thoughts?"
"Because they’re written all over your face."
I’m a dead man.
"Things have become progressively more strained between us. Honestly, ever since we started planning the wedding, things have felt off. He's losing patience, and—” Her eyes were welling up again. I hated this.
"I don't like how he talks to you." There. Now it was out in the open.
"I saw that on your face. He only used to snap at me in private. Now he's been doing it in public too. Almost to belittle me…" I thought she might say more, but she stopped.
I blinked, trying to choose my words very, very carefully. "In private, huh? So, he's always been like this with you?"
"It's been more strained lately. I don't understand why the wedding is stressing him so much. I've been doing most of the planning anyway."
Fucking Walter. "Want me talk to him?"
She gave me another of her megawatt smiles. "What? To put the fear of God in him? I think it's a bit late for that, Leo."
Damn it. I knew I should have pulled him to one side the day she introduced him to me and threatened the shit out of him. Made sure he’d take good care of my girl. But hindsight is what it is.
"If it helps, he's always felt intimidated by you," Tory volunteered.
"Why?"
"Because he knows I care about you and that you've always been important to me."
"I can let him know that he'd better treat you like a princess or else." I cocked a brow. My tone was lighthearted, but I was only semi-joking. I didn't like what I was hearing at all.
Tory closed her eyes, leaning her head back, then took another sip of her cappuccino. "I'm sure things will get better after the wedding.”
“Are you going on a honeymoon?”
She shook her head. "No. God, no. I need to focus on work right away. I put it on the back burner this past month or so, and stuff is piling up. Walter wants to go at a later date anyway. At least we agreed on that."
Her phone rang, startling her. She took it out of her back pocket and groaned.
"It's the wedding planner," she said. "She needs me back in the ballroom." She put her half-drunk cappuccino on the table. "Thanks for the coffee, Leo. Just having you here to talk to has made me feel so much better."
"Sure. I'll see you around. And don't stress too much."
"I'm trying not to, but I can't make any promises." She turned around, and her shoulders hunched forward again.
I didn't like this one bit.