Page 69 of Yours, For Now

"Hey! I heard you're getting the results for the shortlist now? I think my dad and Jake are joining us."

"Yes. The results should be shared publicly on that website—" I pointed to my screen— "and we should get an email with a copy of the official letter attached as well."

"Sounds good. I hope we get it. The contract between yours and our companies is almost ready; hopefully we're shortlisted so we can keep moving forward, full steam ahead."

"And if we don't get shortlisted?"

"Then we'll spend this weekend at the lake making each other feel better and try again."

I chuckled. "That's exactly what your brother said he would do."

"Yes. That's our style." She smiled. "Did my brother feed you well for lunch? So boring, having lunch at work. Good food is the least he could do."

He'd ordered Cuban for us, and it had been good, but I didn't think of it as a boring date. Maybe because it was fake, or maybe because Gabe and I were both workaholics, or maybe because I enjoyed his company no matter what…

I frowned. "It was good. You have a good brother, Vi."

She opened her eyes wide. "Oh, I know that! He's the best. I just also like you very much, and I hope you stick around for a bit. A work lunch is no way to romance your girlfriend, that's all."

I leaned on the back of the couch. "Where do you get your romantic ideals, Vi?"

"Romance novels, of course. And my parents. Doesn't matter, really. Romance should be the basic standard. How are you supposed to fall in love, otherwise?"

"What about having things in common, and spending time together, no matter if it's at the office?"

She grinned, the gesture so pretty on her, and so much like her brother's, her dad's. "Then maybe you'll stick around, if that's your idea of romance. That's what matters most. What your idea of romance is. I just hope it's the same as Gabe's."

I cocked my head. "You don't know me that well, Vi. What if I'm not good enough for your brother? I thought you'd be more protective of him."

"If he broke his singledom for you, you must be a pretty big deal. I asked him once, you know, when we'd both drunk a bit too much— I don't think he remembers this— but he told me he wouldn't get together with someone until he could make sure this place was strong—" she pointed around her and the building— "and he could build a relationship like my parents'. And he's a man of his word."

I gulped. A flutter of nerves moved under my skin. "That he is, I've come to learn."

She squinted at me. "So, unless a determined, value-driven, loyal man scares you… I hope you'll stay for a bit."

The change in tone lifted the veil over her statement. By instinct, I squared my shoulders as if expecting more word volleys from Vi. I even tightened my abs, like her comments would turn into punches. Somehow she'd managed to share a few warnings with me, hidden in between a kind tone and what seemed like encouraging messages.

Don't play with him. Be strong for him.

The realization made me chuckle. "Oh. Now I get it. This is how you're protective of him."

She continued to smile as she nodded. "That's right. I want him to be happy."

"I want that for him and I, too."

Gabe returned, and his eyes jumped from Vi to me.

He gave me one of the mugs he carried. "What did you do, Vi?"

"Only my duty as your sister. I gave her a bit of a talk." She lifted a shoulder.

Gabe frowned. He sat on the arm of the sofa next to me. "What did she tell you?"

"That she wants you to be happy," I replied, "and that she hopes that I stick around."

"Oh." His shoulders relaxed. He drank from his coffee. "That's not so bad."

Vi was the one to watch us closely, this time. "I also said that I hope there's enough romancing going on, so that you two fall deeply in love."