Page 75 of Greed

I shake my head. “He’s very handsome. That’s why my heart does that.”

“It’s more than that.” Her hand drops to her lap. “Give it time and space to grow, Abby. That small seed will one day wrap itself around your heart, and you’ll know it’s love. You’ll know.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

Declan

Work,time with my family, and a night spent watching Kirby while Rook entertained a new client at dinner have meant that I haven’t seen Abby in days.

We’ve talked.

That happened two days ago on a crowded elevator on our way to our respective jobs. We’ve also had a few text conversations where the woman I’m crazy about told me her boss assigned her a string of mundane tasks to keep her busy until Kalina’s new counsel reaches out.

I’d be pissed at Rook for monopolizing her time, but I know how deeply Abby values her career. It’s one of the things I love most about her.

Or like…or maybe this is the first stirring of love I feel?

I shake my head while my brother continues talking about children’s books.

We’re in a bookstore in Brooklyn while he picks through a stack of books written and illustrated for curious young minds.

Since the bookshelf in Hailey’s nursery is already stacked with hundreds of books just waiting to be read to her once she arrives, I pat him on the shoulder.

“Maybe you should consider investing in some books for kids in their teens.” I smile. “I’m pretty sure you own a copy of every book ever written for a kid under ten.”

He shoots me a look that includes a perched eyebrow. “Who is about to be a parent, Decky?”

I pat the middle of my chest. “You’re looking at a future godfather, so I think I can weigh in on this.”

His hand moves to tap my cheek. “From the day she’s born until her fifth birthday, that’s a hell of a lot of nights that require bedtime stories.”

“To be precise…” I interrupt what he was about to say. “It’s one thousand, eight hundred and…”

He returns the favor by cutting me off. “Who the fuck cares? It’s a lot, so I need a lot of books. I don’t want my daughter getting bored.”

“Some kids love repetition.” I raise a hand to stop him from saying anything. “Kirby has one favorite book about a girl and her dog. I’ve read that to her hundreds of times.”

“Seriously?”

I laugh. “Seriously. So I think you can step away from the books, Saint. For now, at least.”

He sets the brightly illustrated hardcover book in his hand back on the table in front of us. “I can do that.”

A chime from my phone lures my gaze down.

Sean’s eyes follow. “Is it about the shipment? Has the issue been resolved?”

I glance at him. “No. It’s Abby.”

“Abby?” He pushes on my shoulder. “My future sister-in-law requires all your attention, so focus on her while I look at the thriller section.”

I smile. “I’ll do that.”

I read the text again.

Abby: Are you busy tonight?

If I were, I’d cancel whatever the fuck I was planning on doing to be with her.

---