Page 65 of Terms + Conditions
Nick almost drops his phone. Wide eyes meet mine, and I can’t hide my smirk anymore.
“She showed up to my graduation after you left.”
“That was nice.” Nick’s voice betrays him. He’s probably wondering what would have happened if he had stayed just a little longer at his brother’s graduation ceremony instead of rushing off to New York. “Alex, you better not be fucking with me.”
“I’m not! Mic and Elizabeth are with her. They’re checking out offices. Call MJ. I’m sure she can tell you—”
Nick doesn’t wait for Alex to finish, hanging up the phone and looking at me. “Did you know?”
“I may have heard something.”
“And you didn’t want to share that information?”
“Elizabeth just told me when I called her while you were in there.”
That part was true; shehadtold me she landed in New York a little bit ago, and they would be going to look at another office shortly. A space that just came up on the market, and Nina was sure it was the one. But I don’t have to tell him I knew they’d be coming to town last week, do I? I didn’t even know we’d be here until a few days ago.
“Nina found a new office at the last minute and wanted to check it out.”
Nick doesn’t wait. He dials another number. “Mic?” I can only imagine the struggle my sister is facing to keep a straight face while she stands next to Nina right now. That loudmouth is probably ready to shout from the rooftops that Nick is on the line. “I hear you’re in the city.”
Walking down Fifth Avenue toward the park, I can feel the nerves radiating off my cousin. It’s makingmenervous. Michaela called back about an hour ago to tell Nick that one, Nina had offered her the opportunity to take over the New York office, and two, Nina would be going for a run before dinner. And, according to Nick, the only place she’d go for a run in the city was Central Park. How he knew where to find her was beyond me, but he said he had a feeling he knew where she’d be.
“The fountain is about fifteen minutes through the park,” I say, standing on the corner of Fifth Ave and 59th. “You’re sure that’s where she’ll be?”
“Positive.” Nick takes a deep breath, staring into the green space before us. “I’m doing the right thing, right?”
“You’re doing what you should’ve done years ago.”
He stonewalls me.
“Yes.” I laugh. “You’re doing the right thing.”
“I’m gonna ask her to marry me.” It comes out in a quick breath, and at first, I think he must be joking.
“Wait. You’re serious?” I ask when he finally rips his gaze from the park to meet mine.
“Why not? I love her.”
It’s simple, but it’s honest and the only thing that matters. And it makes my heart ache at the thought.
I smile and clamp my hand down on his shoulder. “Go get her.”
Nick takes another breath before heading through the park. When he’s gone, I pull out my phone to call my wife. She answers, “Yes?”
Just like earlier, her answers are short and quick. Our relationship has been a little…strained recently. Work has been stressful and I’ve been spending more time in the office than at home. We’ve fallen into a bad routine. Being so busy at work, I’ve missed a few date nights, a few game nights, and a few spontaneous trips; leading to one big fight that we haven’t completely gotten over yet. That she hasn’t completely gotten over.
My job is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) issues in our relationship. I put in a lot of time at the office, not only because I enjoy my job, but because it proves I can be successful on my own. I was given this job because of my connection to the Villas—to my wife—and because of that connection, I’ve felt an even bigger need to prove myself worthy from the first day I started at QC Marketing.
Elizabeth doesn’t get it. How could she? She’s never had to work for what she has, not really.
It’s quiet for a brief moment before she tries to get off the phone.
“Liz,” I interrupt her. “I love you. I know I may not say it often or do the right things all the time…But I love you, Sugar. And I’m sorry.”
There’s a deep breath on the other end before, “Manhatta, eight o’clock. The reservation is under Nina.”
The line goes dead.
