Page 126 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

“Back atcha.”

I can admit the Christiansen brothers clean up well, but even messy, we can pull more than our fair share of attention.Thanks for the good looks, Cookie and Corbin.

He rests against the wall of the elevator as we ride down the twenty flights. I can feel the weight of his stare and turn back. “What is it?”

Grinning, he says, “I’m glad you decided to come.”

“You didn’t think I would?”

It’s a subtle shake of his head, but I notice. “I wasn’t sure.”

Maybe I do owe him some credit. “Thanks for inviting me.”

He reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. “Life’s passing by.”

Nothing more needs to be said. I know they want me to be happy.

Am I?

I’m not sure if I’ve felt that emotion in a while. I’ll have to think about that.

We travel the rest of the way in silence. Outside, we catch the last of the remaining daylight before the skyscrapers engulf it. “I’ve been here, what? Three weeks and you haven’t introduced me to your bar until now?”

“It wasn’t for lack of trying.” He pats me on the back. “It’s around the corner.”

It feels good to forget about work, to get out of the office, and not feel like I’m behind on a million things. I confess, “I miss the good ole days sometimes, too. What happened?”

“Life got in the way.”

“Work piled up.”

I was busy earning my MBA while working my way up the corporate ladder. There were rumors I got the job based on my last name, and I’m not stupid enough to think that didn’t play a big part in it. But my dad had expectations of Nick and me. We exceeded them, and that’s why we’re here today. Not at the bar, but sitting atop a company that we’ve given our lives to.

One night hanging out with my brother feels like old times. My mood has improved, and I’m actually looking forward to it. He says, “Let’s not let it get in the way again.”

I shake his hand. “I’ll hold you to that if you’ll do the same for me.”

“You’re on.” Holding the door open, he grins as if we’re about to enter a secret world that only he knows about. “This is where tycoons to tellers, day traders to corner shop owners hang out. You never know if you’re talking to a billionaire or someone just starting out in their career until you get into some drunken conversation with the stranger next to you. That’s what makes it so great.” He peers over the heads of the crowded bar and then adds, “Come on. You’ll fit right in.”

7

Andrew

My worriesabout work were forgotten the minute I walked into this place, my jacket discarded before the first game of darts, and my tie loosened after the second round of drinks.

The server tried to take up residence on my lap several times, pawing my arm and touching my hair. Margie’s cute, and I’m not opposed to hooking up for the night, but I am opposed to expectations in the morning. She’s already sticking to me like glue, which is not a good sign this early on. Add a jealous bartender scowling at me into the mix and I think I’ll stay clear.

“Andrew?”

I look up to find the guys staring at me. “What?”

Nick asks, “What the fuck was that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking—Oh.”Margie.“She’s not my type.”

Jackson asks, “Hot, flirting, and wearing a shirt that reads ‘ready when you are’ isn’t your type?”

Glancing a few tables over, she smiles at me just before my eyes go lower to the design across her chest. “I didn’t notice.”

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