Page 4 of Loving the CEO

"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."

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