“We just missed spending time with you as a group,” Skye said.
We hadn’t had another Ballroom Gala since the one in March, so we’d spent even less time than usual together. Since the last one raised a hell of a lot of money, we’d almost made our yearly target. We just needed one more event this season, and it would take place in June.
“We’re here,” Cole said through yawns. “Sorry. Date yesterday went until late, but I’m all yours now.”
“Following in Ryker’s footsteps, Cole? Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one surprising us at the next gala, bringing a woman,” Tess said.
“It was just a date,” Cole said. It was my turn to laugh.
“Well, if the Flirt can get serious about a woman, I’d say the Charmer also stands a good chance,” Josie said. Only a few months ago, I would have laughed this off, but now I could see myself in that position. More than that, I wanted to.
“Ryker, this would be the moment for you to step in and save my ass,” Cole said loudly. “Hunter, you can help too.”
Hunter held up his hands, shrugging. “Can’t contradict my wife this early in the morning. It’s bad luck.”
“And I’m enjoying this too much. So, is there any work to be done, or are we just catching up? I’m okay either way, just want to know.” I’d been so hungry that I’d already finished my food.
Skye sighed. “No, we actually do have shelves to put up. Tess and I were going to do it ourselves, but I feel like my arms are going to fall off from carrying boxes around and folding merchandise.”
Josie looked between my sisters for a beat before announcing, “Spa day tomorrow. My treat. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Skye blinked at her. “You’re not taking no for an answer? I see our cousin’s bossy ways are rubbing off on you.”
Hunter looked very pleased with himself.
Josie grinned brilliantly. “I’m a fast learner.”
“You know what? I’m actually all for it. Can we go tomorrow evening?” Skye asked.
Tess pouted. “Skye, we have inventory to do.”
Skye waved her hand. “We’ll do that... whenever.”
“Tomorrow works,” Josie exclaimed.
Well, fuck. If Skye willingly tore herself away from the shop, it meant she was exhausted.
“Okay, let’s get to work now,” Tess said.
“By the way, Ryker, how did Heather’s dinner turn out?” Skye asked.
“Did you tell her to cook the roast for ninety minutes?”
Skye widened her eyes. “Oh my God. I did? I meant sixty. Crap. She didn’t realize that was too long?”
“No. I thought you did it on purpose, as a joke or something.”
“Ryker. I’m not that cruel.”
“Noted. Anyway, Avery was at her grandmother’s house for spring break, and Heather and I practically spent the whole time together.”
Skye widened her eyes. Tess’s jaw hung open. Even Cole, Hunter, and Josie looked perplexed.
“Holy shit, this is amazing,” Skye exclaimed. I would have taken it as a compliment, but her voice was so incredulous that it sounded almost like an insult.
“You know, one great thing about Hunter and Ryker leaving the bachelor pack is that I finally don’t have to compete with you guys anymore on our evenings out,” Cole said before adding, “Not that I wasn’t always winning by a decent margin.”
Everyone burst out laughing. As if on cue, a group of women stopped in front of the shop, looking at the merchandise... and then right at my brother. One of them even winked at him. As if only then noticing the rest of us, they hurried away. I was laughing so hard, I was afraid I’d crack a rib.
“Aaaand I rest my case,” Cole said, and I couldn’t contradict him for once.
We started on the shelves right after that. I could feel my sisters’ gazes boring into the back of my head. I was sure that one of them would volunteer advice before the morning was over. My money was on Tess.
It turned out, both of them thought I needed advice. They flanked me while I was setting up some extra shelves in the back.
“Sooo... what’s your next move?” Tess asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll play it by ear,” I said.
“Sounds good. If you need advice, you can always call us.” Skye was smiling brightly. There was something different about her this morning.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I pointed a finger at Skye after I finished securing the shelves I’d been working on. “You look more cheerful. Any reason for that?”
She exchanged a glance with Tess, and even with Josie, who looked our way when she heard my question. Wait a second, what was going on?
“Well, things with our investor are going great,” Skye said.
“And?” Cole urged. Clearly, he’d picked up on this strange energy in the room. Even Hunter was paying attention.
“If you must know, I’m dating someone. And it’s going really well,” Skye declared.
“Define really well,” I said.
“He’s not dating someone else at the same time. That’s a winner in my books.”
Cole groaned. “Sis, your standards are just too low.”
She shrugged. “I’m not demanding. I’m hoping he’ll join me at the next Ballroom Gala. Then you’ll all get to meet him.”
That meant they were serious. Things were changing for everyone. I’d come in here thinking I just had to put up some shelves...
But then again, things in the Winchester clan rarely went according to plan.
We finished just in time for Skye and Tess to open the store. I was the first to leave, because I had an early meeting at the office. On the way, I took out my phone, calling Heather. We hadn’t made plans after our dinner on Sunday, but after the conversation with my family, I wanted to see her tonight.
She didn’t answer, but I shot her a message.
Ryker: Dinner tonight, if you don’t have plans?
Heather: YES! Now I finally have something to look forward to. It’s going to be a crazy day.
I was right there with her. Wall Street was a fast-paced environment to work in even on calm days, but when international key performance indicators were confusing, fast-paced turned to breakneck speed. It was paramount to calm everyone down, talk them out of hasty transactions.
After my twenty-third phone call for the day, I went for a coffee break. Several of my colleagues were gathered there, discussing today’s developments in hushed voices. Most had their shoulders up to their ears from stress. I was just bone tired.
“How can you be so relaxed?” one of them called to me while I filled a cup with coffee.
I shrugged. “When you’re relaxed, you pass that calm on to the clients.”
“I’m shitting my pants right now,” he said.
“Stop. They’ll feel it. That’s the only piece of advice I can give you.”
He rolled his eyes. “Drinks after hours? To blow off steam?”
“I already have plans,” I said before strolling back to my office.
Meeting Heather and Avery for dinner sounded a million times better than going out drinking and mourning over the day.
Only a few months ago, I would’ve looked forward to performing tonight, or just enjoying a glass of whiskey in the quiet of my apartment. But now the things I was looking forward to were different.