Page 99 of Bad Luck Club

She ate several bites before she responded. “Sometimes I still feel like that little girl. The one who could never do anything right. Maybe I’ll always be a dreamer who accomplishes nothing.”

Lee had shaken his head. “No. He was wrong, and so was I. You’re so talented, Addy. You’ll have an exhibit here soon, I promise.”

And now it was happening. He hoped the sundae gave her the confidence she needed, and that she felt his approval, but he still lived with his guilt and his shame, even though he was grateful to be part of her life again.

Now, when he wasn’t traveling to breweries, he was used to seeing her nearly every day. What would happen to their relationship if he moved away? Georgie was right. It wouldn’t be the same.

Before he knew it, the cab pulled up in front of the building. Lee got out and walked into the large lobby layered in gleaming marble and chrome, but he didn’t feel as at home as he’d expected, and he attributed it to his concern for his sister.

His stomach was a ball of nerves as he climbed into the elevator and pressed fifty-three. It occurred to him that he was only a few blocks from the office he’d worked at for years with his father. The scab over his heart tore, and pain leaked out.

No. He couldn’t think about that now. He had to put on his game face and win over Jeremy Rousseau so he could get his life back on track. So he could be himself again.

He walked into the office waiting room at 2:59 and gave the receptionist his name. She told him to take a seat. He scanned the room, taking in the original high-dollar artwork and the leather sofa and chairs. The wool rug probably cost twenty grand. The opulent furnishings confirmed this was a company he wanted to work for.

Didn’t it?

An older man wearing a tailored suit and a blue silk tie emerged from a hallway. He smiled when he saw Lee, extending his hand. “Lee, you have no idea how happy I am that you could make it to our appointment today. Unfortunately, I’m leaving town tomorrow, which is why we couldn’t reschedule the meeting. I’m Jeremy Rousseau. It’s so great to finally meet you.”

Finally? But Lee let it go. Maybe he’d heard of Lee before Buchanan Luxury came crashing down.

“Well, I’m glad our flight finally took off,” Lee said with a chuckle as he shook his hand.

“How about we get started, then?” Jeremy asked. “You seem like the kind of man who will wow me, and I can’t wait to be wowed.”

Lee was thrilled to hear that—wowing was his specialty—but he couldn’t help detecting a glimmer of anger in Jeremy’s eyes. Then it was gone, and Lee decided he was imagining things. He really needed this job.

So he wowed him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

When the plane was delayed earlier, part of Blue had been relieved. Not because she didn’t want Lee to get the job, although selfishly she didn’t, but because she feared what it might do to him. Something had changed in him already. She’d seen it at the airport—his posture was more rigid, his expression a bit lost, like he was again the rumpled man who’d teetered toward her and thrown up on her shoes.

This job, she sensed, would not be good for him.

If he took it, his soul would slip back into misalignment.

Whether he saw it or not, working with his siblings was good for him, being around them even more so.

But it was six p.m., several hours after his interview, two hours before the opening, and there was still no sign of him. No one had heard from him either, although Blue had texted him at least three times and had noticed Adalia bowed over her phone too. They were gathered in a restaurant around the corner from the studio. Finn had chosen it, and he’d clearly selected it solely to make Adalia laugh. The walls were covered with framed photos of dogs posed to look like superheroes, capes and all, the menu full of offerings with silly names, like Chow Chow Mein and German Shepherd’s Pie. Maisie was delighted, of course, and she’d taken half a dozen pictures to send to Iris, who was always coming up with new ideas for how to promote the dog shelter. No doubt there were dog-themed bake sales or dinner parties in their future.

Iris had needed to remain in Asheville, much to her disappointment, because she had an exam on Friday. She was staying with Beatrice, from the dog shelter, along with Hops, River and Georgie’s dog, and Adalia’s dog, Tyrion. Iris and Beatrice had already come up with a dizzying number of ideas for future fundraisers, and Maisie kept clucking her tongue as if annoyed as she passed along the latest message to Jack and the others. Her supposed annoyance was undercut by the pride in her eyes. Maisie’s dogs were staying with another employee at the shelter, Dustin, and Harry had swung by to pick up Buford. He’d looked a bit nervous the first time Buford hopped toward him and sniffed his shirt. “Are his teeth supposed to be that big, Blue?” he’d asked doubtfully. “Maybe he needs some carrots to chew. Or sandpaper.”

Jezebel, the cat tyrant of the Buchanan house, had been allowed to stay at home. An unsuspecting cat sitter had been paid to fill her food and water, having been instructed to avoid contact with the “subject” as much as possible, for her own safety.

And now they were seated, waiting for an appetizer called Dog Chow. She could imagine Lee rolling his eyes, saying he hoped it didn’t taste like it sounded—and also that the entrees named after dogs hadn’t, in fact, been made with them.

“Chin up, dear,” Dottie said in an undertone, giving her a little nudge with her elbow. They were sitting at the end of the table, an open chair between Maisie and Blue, like a missing tooth.

“Sorry,” she said, trying to shake the shadow she’d felt draped over her all afternoon. “I’m just… I’m happy for Adalia.”

She didn’t want to make this about her, about Lee. It was Adalia’s big day, and the strain of it could be seen in the corners of her eyes, the tightness around her mouth. They’d been allowed into the gallery to see the exhibit before coming here, and it was, simply put, remarkable. She’d seen most of the pieces in her studio, of course. Adalia had stopped hiding them months ago. But the gallery had created a perfect setting and arrangement for them, placing the piece Adalia had created for Finn—the metal anatomical heart—in the middle.

“That one’s not for sale,” Finn had said proudly, gesturing to the sign. At the bottom it read in small letters:On loan from Finn Hamilton.Adalia had made that piece for him months ago. Seeing it, the two halves melded together as one, had put tears in Blue’s eyes. She felt that way about Lee—that their hearts were healing each other.

But if he moved back to New York, she feared he would indeed slip back into the mold his father had cast. Would that sever their joined hearts? Would they again become two pieces?

Would he want, again, a woman to match the man he had been?

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