It had grown dark by the time Darren walked out. He stood several paces away, hands deep in his pockets, eyes avoiding mine. I’d already attempted to make peace. He had to be the one to talk first now.
After several moments of pacing back and forth, he stopped and turned toward me. “Help me understand, because I can’t fathom how you could do this to me.”
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Believe me when I say I tried everything I could to avoid this.”
“Except fuck her. You couldn’t seem to avoid that. Oh, and then you let someone else fuck her too. Sounds like this all just happened. I’m sure you didn’t coax any of it along at all.”
I cursed under my breath. He wasn’t going to make this easy for me. “I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Good, because I’m pretty sure I’m never going to understand how you can disrespect my sister this way and still have the balls to face me. After everything we’ve been through. I mean fuck!”
I met his glare with resignation, because all I had was the truth. “Darren, I’m in love with her.”
His lips thinned as he worked his jaw. “You can’t love her. I know you.”
“People change. You stood here not that long ago and told me to stop wasting time and focus on her, to see where it could go.”
He shook his head. “That’s before I knew the woman in question was my sister. I would have given you different advice had I known.”
I stood and faced him. “You changed. For the right person, you changed. She’s that person for me. I can’t help that she’s your sister any more than I can help the way I feel about her.”
“And Will? You expect me to believe he feels the same way and he’s not just taking everything he can get from her?”
“It’s not my place to speak for Will, but I’d never let him hurt her.”
“Is he touting this love shit too?”
“He cares about her. We both do.”
He leaned his head back and pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes. “This is so fucked.”
“If you step back and look at what’s happening right now, the only people who are upset are you and Cameron. Will, and Liv, and I…we’re fine, outside of dealing with your goddamn death threats and judgment. But before all this blew up at the ribbon-cutting, we were fine. So stop and ask yourself if it’s worth jeopardizing her happiness.”
“You’re not going to talk me into thinking this is good for her.”
“Putting her through hell over this isn’t good for her. You’re one of my best friends. I don’t want to lose that, but right now, her happiness comes first.”
“If you’re making a campaign to get my blessing, give it up. I’m never going to support this.” He sliced his hand sideways through the air.
I sighed, feeling more defeated with each passing minute. “Whatever. But don’t make her miserable over it. Hate me. Hate that I’m with her. But think about what all the anger is doing to her. She doesn’t deserve to bear the brunt of your judgments. She’s a good person, and she’s got a good heart. She’s figuring shit out, same way all of us are. If you care so damn much, cut her some slack. Let her live her own goddamn life.”
Those last words seemed to render him silent. He simply shook his head and left me alone. At least we hadn’t come to blows again, which I counted as a small victory.
I breathed a sigh of relief, even knowing my friendship with Darren was forever changed. I hoped to hell that Liv was worth it…that she wouldn’t give up on us.
I took my phone out and contemplated calling her. She’d asked for space. I had to give it to her. I couldn’t be another person barking at her, trying to tug at her when she wasn’t ready. I wanted her to know I was still here, though. Waiting for her to be ready.
I pulled up my texts and attached the photo of the sunset with a message.
I: Sky made a beautiful canvas tonight. Made me think of you. Haven’t been able to think about much else.
A minute later a reply came back.
L: It’s beautiful, thank you. I’m thinking about you too.
I hesitated with what to say next. I didn’t want to push her, but the smallest communication made me want more.
I: I want to see you. When you’re ready…
L: Soon. Be safe tonight.
I released a frustrated sigh. If she only knew… The dangers of the city and this job had nothing on the damage she could inflict on me right now.
Chapter Fourteen
WILL
David Reilly strolled into the office. Dressed in a suit that cost more than most people made in a month, he exuded the kind of confidence that threatened a lot of people on Wall Street. He didn’t affect me that way. I registered little more than disgust as he approached but knew I had to keep it to myself if I was going to get through this meeting.
I rose from my father’s desk and greeted Reilly with a firm handshake. “Let’s talk in the conference room.”
“Sure.”