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“Too bad we don’t always get what we want, huh?” Everly smirks, giving him a playful slug on the shoulder. “Why don’t you stay and watch a movie? We just startedWhat Happens in Vegas.”
“How fitting,” Theo snickers. “I’ll stay, but I’m sitting in the middle.”
I give him an amused scowl as he heads into the living room.
At least he’s warming up to the idea of us being together. Now, we just have to find the right way to break the news aboutthe acquisition to him. Even though it was the reason for Everly and me staying married, it’s no longer relevant… at least not to me.
25
CASH
EVERLY HAS BEEN IN HIGHspirits since Theo stopped by our apartment last week. It’s been fourteen years since the three of us have hung out together, and it felt like old times. Since then Theo has texted me a few times, and even suggested we all go out for drinks once he gets back from his current business trip.
It’s Sunday morning, so I surprised Everly with a full-body massage at the spa on the second floor of the High Rise. It’s one of the many perks of living in one of London’s most coveted complexes. However, the penthouse apartment is the only one with a private gym, which is why I couldn’t resist buying it when it became available last year.
I’m finishing up a weightlifting session before meeting Everly downstairs when my phone pings. I set the barbell to the groundand retrieve my phone from a nearby bench to find that I have a text.
Presley: Are you awake?
Cash: No, I’m texting in my sleep.
Within seconds, my phone rings with an incoming video chat, Presley’s name popping up on the screen.
“Hey, Pres,” I answer, taking a seat on the bench.
She appears on the screen, lounging in bed, her hair tied in a messy bun. She’s wearing an oversized button-up shirt, which I assume belongs to Jack.
“It’s early in London. I’m shocked you’re awake,” she says.
“It’s the middle of the night in New York. What areyoudoing awake?” I counter.
“You’re such a smartass,” she remarks in a snarky tone. “One of Jack’s clients in Chicago has a critical issue with a multimillion-dollar project launching on Tuesday, so he had to spend his weekend helping them in person. I have an important presentation tomorrow afternoon, so I couldn’t go with him.” She pouts as she leans back against the headboard.
I chuckle. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“We’ve only spent the night apart from each other a handful of times, and I can’t sleep without him here,” she admits.
I can relate. I’ve grown so used to sleeping next to Everly, and I don’t like thinking what it would be like if she wasn’t there anymore.
“I’m touched you’d call your big brother to keep you company,” I say, grabbing the towel next to me to wipe my brow.
“I would have called Dylan, but I’m sure he’s asleep, and Harrison’s likely up working late or on a call with a client overseas, even on the weekend.”
“Glad to know I’m your last resort,” I say wryly.
We both know I’m the one she reaches out to first when she needs to talk to someone.
“Honestly? I miss our daily phone calls.” She sighs. “Getting married doesn’t give you the right to disappear on me.”
“Oh, you mean like you did when you and Jack first got together?” I ask with a raised brow.
“What are you talking about?”
“Pres, when you two started dating, we didn’t talk on the phone for an entire month after you went back to New York.” I grab my sports drink from the ground and take a big gulp.
There’s silence on her end as she looks at me with a perplexed expression. “Okay, fine. I guess you’re right.”
“I’m sorry. What was that?” I cup my ear.