Chapter Six

Knox

I couldn’t help but wonder why I was sitting in a Soho cigar lounge with my best friend, Noah. “I should really be home packing, not smoking,” I pointed out, looking at the rolled cigar in my hand, not enjoying it as much as I should have.

I rested it on the ashtray divot in front of me and sat forward, my eyes scanning the place. It was pretty basic as far as decor went—brown everywhere.

Laughter in his eyes, Noah drew the smoke into his mouth, enjoying the flavor I just didn’t care for, and exhaled. “Go figure. Your job takes you all over the world and I’m stuck sitting behind a desk, listening to old people talk about their estates,” Noah complained, but I knew he didn’t mean it. He loved his job.

I reminded him, “Hey, man, you’re the one who went to law school.” Again, something he’d loved.

He threw his head back—for effect—and closed his eyes, a snore rolling off his lips. “Sorry, just thinking about it makes me conk out.”

“Why are we here anyway?” I asked, looking around at the men of varying ages who were sitting on the brown leather chairs, enjoying a smoke. One middle-aged man in a suit sitting by the door was particularly funny to watch—the way he looked at his cigar and held it in his hand like it was the most special thing in the universe. Meanwhile, I almost couldn’t believe people did this. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but let’s just say it wasn’t my thing.

Noah stopped puffing and I hoped that meant he would let his flame die down. I already had, switching over to savoring my single malt Scotch until he was content and we could leave. Finally, he answered, “Oh, because Crystal’s mother is visiting and she’s as looney as that rabbit. I had to get out of there.”

Holding my glass between my hands, I looked at Noah. “You know, one of these days you’re actually going to have to talk to your mother-in-law.”

“Sure, I’ll do that,” he conceded, leaning forward, his elbows coming to rest on the top of the table. “How about I pencil it in? Say, in fifty years from now?”

The sun was practically gone, retreating for the night, and I still had to get home and pack. Sure, I had waited until the last minute, but what was I supposed to do, have my bags ready for London days ago? I wasn’t that organized. Besides, it was a work trip to boost ad revenue for the fashion blog I worked for, not my own personal vacation. Not that I would’ve packed early for that, either.

“I still have to pack. Maybe we can call it a night?” I asked with another glance at my watch.

“How long are you going to be gone?”

Calculating it in my head didn’t feel worth it. “Long,” I said simply. “I’ll be staying in Europe in between shows, it’s easier that way.”

“Are you worried about seeing that batty, selfish ex of yours who’s working in fashion in Europe. What’s her name?”

“Rina,” I supplied, shaking my head. “She’s not that bad.” I wasn’t sure why I was defending her. She’d put herself and her aspirations above everything else, even us.

“Whatever.”

Shifting in my seat, I found myself suddenly incredibly uncomfortable. Maybe it was the turn our conversation had taken. “Our paths might cross, but I doubt it.” I had no idea what she was even doing these days. It wasn’t like we kept in touch or anything.

Shrugging, he repeated himself. “Whatever.” Then he finished off his drink. “Maybe you should find yourself a girl when you’re there. A bombshell model, one with legs that go on for days.”

“Watch out, you’re starting to drool.” Looking at him pointedly, I wiped at my chin, and laughed. “You know, I’ll never understand how you married before I did.” Noah definitely had a particular appreciation for the opposite sex—not unlike my own—but he was just a little more obvious about it.

He shrugged casually. “What can I say? I got tired of playing the field.”

“No you didn’t,” I insisted, finishing my drink, too.

“No, I didn’t, you’re right. But Crystal is one hell of a woman and she’s enough to satisfy all my needs.”

“All right, well, this has been fun.” I put my hands on the small mahogany table between us, ready to head out. “But I have to get home to pack. I have an early flight in the morning, which means this little procrastinating bit you’ve got going on just so you don’t have to see your mother-in-law has to end.”

“You’re leaving me? Just like that? Not even a goodbye kiss? When will I see you again? Will you call? Text?” Noah’s face grew serious, his eyes sad—ever the goofball.

“Shut up and let’s get out of here. You can walk me out.” I batted my lashes, playing along as I stood up, in desperate need of fresh air in my lungs.

Following suit, Noah stood. “All right, but we’re getting beers when you get back.” Then he added, “On you.”

“Aren’t you the lawyer?”

“Fine, on me. If I’m even alive by the time you get back. Crystal’s mother has it out for me and now you’re throwing me right into the lion’s den.”

Laughing at the imagery, we walked to the door. “I’m going to leave and you’re going to go home to your family.” And remember how lucky you are to have them , I almost added, but didn’t.

My life was pretty amazing, I reminded myself, instead. I was earning great money, living in a great place, and had great friends (yes, Noah included).

I didn’t know why I was thinking this way.

It was all that talk of Rina.

I blamed Noah.