Page 77 of Greed

I’ve encouraged her to make time for self-care, but she’s always told me she’ll have time for that when she’s older.

“Tonight is the night all of that changes.” I point at the hotel room key she’s holding. “You’ll check into the Bishop Hotel in Tribeca. They’ll be a bottle of champagne waiting in your suite. You’ll spend the weekend enjoying their spa and all the other amenities the hotel offers.”

She glances at me again, but this time there are tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe this.”

I take a step closer to her. “Believe it. This weekend is just for you.”

“It is Friday night,” she mutters. “I don’t really have any plans for tomorrow or Sunday.”

I know her standard Saturday and Sunday schedule. She always takes a morning walk through a farmer’s market a few blocks away before indulging in a cup of coffee at her favorite café. Her weekend afternoons almost always involve her curled up on the corner of the couch with a book in her hand.

Every weekend is a carbon copy of the one before it.

“You have plans now.” I smile. “I want you to enjoy this break. Think of it as a mini-vacation.”

Her gaze drops to the keycard again. “Am I doing this alone? You’re staying here?”

I nod.

The corners of her lips edge up toward a soft smile. “Is the guy with the big shoes coming over tonight?”

I shrug a shoulder. “If he is, that’s not the only reason I’m sending you on this self-care sabbatical.”

With a tilt of her chin, she lets out a laugh. “I take that as a yes, and I think I may be happier for you than I am for me right now. Don’t get me wrong. I’m super excited to be heading over to the Bishop because that’s the definition of luxury, but my heart is bursting right now, knowing you have a boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I say, even though I’m unsure how I’d define what’s happening between Declan and me.

“He’s your lover,” she corrects herself.

“Yes,” I acknowledge with a brisk nod.

“With the possibility for more?”

“Yes,” I say again while I fight off a smile.

She closes the small distance between us with short steps. “Are you falling for him, Abby? Are you falling in love with this guy?”

“Yes.” This time my answer is barely audible because admitting what I’ve been holding in my heart is terrifying.

“Good,” she whispers back. “You know how happy I am for you, right?”

I reach for her shoulders to squeeze them. “I know, Carrie.”

She pulls me in for a quick embrace. “I’m going to pack an overnight bag for my solo adventure. Thank you for the gift, even if it was just a way to get me out of here so you can have sex.”

I swat her right arm as we both step back from the hug. “It’s not just a way to get you out of here. I want you to pamper yourself.”

“I will.” Her eyes scan my face. “I hope whoever this guy is that he pampers you tonight too.”

“He will,” I say with assurance. “He always does.”

* * *

Declan takesanother hearty bite of the lobster roll. “This is delicious, Abby.”

I can’t hold in a prideful smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Sean and I used to eat lobster rolls all the time from this restaurant in the West Village.” He takes another bite, swallows, and then grins. “Cloutiers was the name of it, I think. Something along those lines. It closed up shop years ago.”

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