Chapter Five

Xavier

Zoey:

We’re home now.

The text from my twin sister finally comes in at 10 p.m., and I wonder, for what seems like the hundredth time, why they’d been out for so long.

Zoey, Dan, and my five-year-old niece—the love of my life—Lisa, are still out. Which is unusual because it’s way past Lisa’s bedtime. I down the glass of red I’ve been nursing and head to the door, hoping this isn’t going to be another one of Zoey’s long-winded “chats” about settling down. I’m beat. I’ve just flown in from Miami, having concluded a four-hour business deal with the buyer of my latest GIS software.

As kids, Zoey and I had done everything together. We are now thirty-one, and while I’m more than comfortable in my single status, Zoey thinks it’s unhealthy not to want companionship. I have companionship, just not of the permanent sort.

Coming right down .

I text back as I head into the private elevator that would take me directly to Zoey and Dan’s.

When I bought the building three years ago, I wanted the top floor to be remodeled as my home. Zoey took one look at the breathtaking views when she came to see how the remodeling was going and fell in love. Dan wasn’t completely sold on the idea as they’d been looking for a house in the suburbs, and this place went completely against their plans, but when he saw how enamored his wife was, he gave in.

I didn’t mind in the least; quite the opposite. I was delighted to have my twin sister and Lisa close by. So, I went to town on the remodeling, transforming the top two floors into a luxury living space, connected by a private lift and with a rooftop garden, swimming pool, playpen for Lisa, and a helipad.

The elevator opens into their massive foyer, and I instantly note the darkness. Strange.

“Zoey,” I call out tentatively. “I thought you just—”

“SURPRISE!” chorus about half a dozen voices. The lights are suddenly blinding, balloons, streamers, confetti... and goofy smiles on the faces of my friends and family. I hate surprises but I can’t help smiling back.

“Zoey… you little…” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Come now, Xavi”—she envelopes me in a warm hug—“you seriously didn’t think we’d let that pass, did you?”

I kiss the top of her head, which comes just up to my chest. It’s almost unbelievable how this delicate woman is my twin sister. We both have dark hair and green eyes, but that’s where the resemblance stops.

I’m big and had hit six feet by the time we were sixteen, with wide shoulders and heavy bones, while she was a slight five foot four. But what she lacked in height, she more than made up for in sass. She could talk me round in circles, and there was no point in arguing with her. She’d win one way or another. Which is why she makes a kickass solicitor.

She’d met Dan seven years ago when she interned at his law firm, and he had been defenseless against her charms.

Dan claps me on the back. “Congrats, man.” He hands me a glass of champagne.

“Thanks. I was beginning to wonder where everyone was,” I say, looking around at my friends who are waving at me. I notice the brunette standing with them and suppress a groan.

“Uncle Xavi!” Lisa squeals, sneaking between her parents and barreling into my arms.

“Hey, buttercup.” Catching her, I plant a kiss on her rosy cheek. Lisa has Zoey’s dark hair and Dan’s golden eyes.

“Lisa, what are you doing out of bed?” Zoey chides gently.

“I know, I know, Mommy,” Lisa says. “It is a grown-up party. I just want to see Uncle Xavi.” She winds her little arms around my neck.

“Hi, Uncle Xavi. Don’t forget about tomorrow.”

“I won’t,” I reply.

Lisa hops down from my arms and runs to her room. I look at Zoey. “What’s tomorrow?”

“You have her this weekend, starting tomorrow,” she says. “You didn’t forget, did you? We’ll be going out of town.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” I forgot.

“She’s missed you,” Zoey says.

“I know,” I say. “I’ve just been working late lately. But hey, I’m all hers tomorrow.”

“All weekend,” Zoey says.

“All weekend,” I agree .

“Good,” she says. “There’s a new babysitter. She’s only going to be here for the weekend and she might need more help than usual. So be nice, Xavi.”

“I’m always nice!” I put my hands up. “What happened to the other babysitter?”

“Don’t ask.” She hugs me again, then disappears in the same direction as Lisa, presumably to ensure the little minx is firmly tucked in bed.

Vanessa, the brunette, approaches. I haven’t seen her in three months. She looks good, her slim figure encased in a tight black dress. I suddenly remember pulling down the zipper of another black dress and baring the rich, creamy skin with a mass of blonde curls tangling in my hands… Stop. I shut my eyes against the onslaught. When I open my eyes, Vanessa stands close—too close.

“Bennett.” Her voice is sultry.

“Nessa.” I smile regretfully, knowing she thought that reaction was for her. It was. Only it wasn’t. Shit, I need to get laid. I need to wipe that woman off my mind.

“Congratulations,” she breathes, leaning in to kiss my dimple and my chin. It’s something Vanessa alone does to me. Suddenly I don’t want her mouth anywhere near me, however innocent.

The boys—Ryan, Wyatt, and Lee are making faces at me from behind her. This thing between Vanessa and me has been going on for a couple of years now. An interior designer, she remodeled Wyatt’s office space two years ago and he’d introduced us. I was honest with her from the beginning and told her I wasn’t in the market for a relationship and wouldn’t be looking for one in the future.

Three months ago, she told me she was in love with me and that my being spotted with random women was hurting her feelings. I told Vanessa none of those girls could hold a candle to her. She was smart, sexy, and any man would be lucky to be with her. She’d replied that if what I said was true, why wasn’t I with her?

I didn’t have an answer for her, so she’d left. And now she’s back.

“You look great.” Her eyes roam over me.

“You too,” I say.

The boys come over before we can say more and start clapping me on the back. Vanessa moves to chat with Dan.

I’m surprised they restrained themselves this long. Ryan and I go way back, growing up in Seattle. Our families are close. While Ryan was being groomed to become CEO of his family’s shipping company, I was to take over the Bennetts’ hotel and real estate business. Unlike me, my twin wasn’t the least bit interested in the family business. Ryan and I became like brothers, having shared similar upbringing and interests and having the weight of the future of the family business on our shoulders. We had a falling out in high school when he found out about his sister’s crush on me. I’d been out cold in Ryan’s bed when she’d impulsively jumped into the bed and kissed me. Ryan walked in, fists flying first before asking questions.

We reconnected at NYU, where we also met Wyatt, an investment banker. Lee’s firm handles my accounting, and I swear he gets a kick out of giving me orders, which he likes to call “financial advice.” Lee and I formed a friendship when he became the youngest partner in his company and took over my account.

“So,” Lee says. “Five hundred million, huh? You trying for gazillionaire, Xaviboy?” I’d sold the GIS software for that much.

Wyatt chips in, “I mean, with the way you suck at poker, it’s either you do something like this or end up on the streets.”

My friends hoot loudly.

“Piss off,” I say. When it came to poker, my friends could wipe the floor with my ass. I know they cheat, but I just haven’t figured out how.

“Knock it off, idiots. He’ll start crying now,” Ryan says, and I shake my head.

I can tell they want to party. Wyatt and Ryan have been throwing me hints to come up with something so we could leave.

“Just hear me out.” Ryan points meaningfully at the ceiling. My helicopter is on the roof. “One word. Vegas. We’ll take the heli to the airport. I can have my jet ready in thirty. A mini party mile high and hit Vegas in four hours.”

“Actually, I was thinking of the club, but Vegas will also do nicely,” Lee adds.

“We are not going to Vegas!” I say before Zoey hears them.

“Can you guys pretend you at least want to be here?” Zoey has returned from tucking Lisa in and apparently heard us.

“Of course we want to be here,” Lee says. “We’re enjoying the party.”

Wyatt and Ryan sip their champagne to avoid lying to Zoey. Lee is less of an asshole compared to the others.

“You’re too nice, Lee,” Zoey says. “But I know those two would rather have music loud enough to burst their eardrums. I just wanted to show my brother how very proud of him we all are.”

“And I appreciate it,” I say, hugging her from behind. She ruffles my hair.

“Does that mean we can go?” Wyatt says, and Lee elbows him.

“They’re having a moment, dickhead,” Lee says .

“It’s fine.” Zoey sighs. “You can have him. I have to pack for the trip anyway.”

Dan dislocated his shoulder three months ago in a skiing injury in Aspen. He’d gone on the trip with the other senior partners at Morgan Walton & Saunders as a yearly tradition. Dr. Pereira, the firm’s orthopedic surgeon in Aspen, had repaired the dislocation non-operatively but advised he might need surgery on his rotator cuff if he continued to have pain. Dan had been fine for the first couple weeks while he kept his left shoulder rested, but once he returned to his usual activities, he found he struggled with swimming and golfing.

Everyone starts gathering their things, saying goodbye to Zoey and Dan, and wishing them a safe trip.

“Vegas!” Wyatt yells.

I give Zoey a reassuring look. “We are not going to Vegas. I have Lisa tomorrow.”

“All weekend,” she reminds me.

“Vegas, Vegas, Vegas.” Wyatt is still chanting in the hallway, and Lee and Ryan are right behind him.

“Did you miss me?” Vanessa links her hands to mine as we walk out.

“Of course I did,” I say but without meaning what she wants me to mean. I care for Vanessa, but that’s where it ends. I want to be careful not to stomp on her heart, though.

We take the limousine to Olympus, one of my more exclusive nightclubs.