The Allure of Julian Lefray (The Allure #1)(57)

She sighed, exasperated by my lack of enthusiasm. “Uh, clearly you have not read the texts I’ve been sending you.”

I cringed. “No, sorry. I was at work. Why?”

“Guess who just put in her two weeks’ notice at work?”

I stopped walking midway between steps so that the person walking behind me completely knocked into me. I didn’t even flinch when they cursed at me and told me to get out of the way. Who the hell cared? I was in complete shock as I tried to process the fact that MY BEST FRIEND WAS MOVING TO NEW YORK.

“Is this a joke right now? So help me god, do you realize how much I’ll kill you if this is a joke?”

Lily laughed. “This is not a drill, my friend. This is happening. I’m about to purchase a Greyhound ticket and everything.”

“Lily, you just completely saved the day!”

Yes. Yes. Yes. Things would work out. If Lily was moving to New York, that meant she’d be able to cover half of the rent. I’d have way less expenses when she moved to town and maybe, just maybe, I’d be able to have my peach cobbler and eat it too.

In two weeks’ time, I’d head down to Texas to visit my parents and then ride back on the bus with Lily. I’d take her around and show her everything I knew. We’d hit the town together and I’d instruct her on which subway lines to avoid if she didn’t want to step in a puddle of urine, which street vendors had the saltiest soft pretzels, and which apartments to avoid if she didn’t want to stumble upon a random swinger’s party. I could hardly wait.

“We have so much to plan, Lil,” I said, unable to contain the giant smile spreading across my face.

She laughed. “Yeah, starting with how the hell we’re going to share that damn futon.”





Chapter Thirty-Two


Julian





It wasn’t a big deal that Josephine was late for drinks. I didn’t watch the door of Dean’s bar like she was going to stumble in any minute and I definitely didn’t hold my breath every time a brunette stepped through the doorway.

Those would be the actions of a man in love. Me? I was just a regular guy having regular drinks with a regular friend.

“You look paranoid. Do you need another drink?” Dean asked, drawing my attention back to our table.

I held up my scotch, still half full.

He smirked and shook his head.

“Are we expecting someone else?”

“Jo,” I answered.

“Ah, the lovely Josephine.”

I glared at him over the rim of my scotch.

“I thought this was supposed to be guys’ night,” Dean said, swirling his glass on top of the teak tabletop.

“She’s sorta like one of the guys.”

He narrowed his eyes, clearly calling bullshit on me. “I’m fairly sure the double Ds you’re so infatuated with make that the most asinine comment I’ve ever heard.”

I shook my head and took another sip of scotch. Agreeing to drinks with Dean had been a bad idea. He loved calling me on my shit, even when I preferred to brush everything under the rug. I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. My mother must have had fifty rugs in her palatial townhouse, all with secrets and lies shoved so far beneath that they would never see the light of day again.

“Yeah, well, tonight she’s just a friend,” I said, putting the cork in the subject.

He nodded slowly, eyeing me with poorly veiled skepticism.

“Have you thought about what you’ll do after your sister gets released? Will you still help her with the company?” he asked, moving the conversation on to another subject I hardly wanted to think about, much less discuss.

“I’m not sure. We’re right in the beginning stages of building her store. I might stick around for that and then see what other investment opportunities come my way.”

“In Boston?”

I stared down at my drink and shrugged.

“Well if you’re thinking of staying in New York long term, I have a few projects I’d love your help on. I’ve been wanting to expand on a restaurant idea, but I need a partner before I even consider it.”

My brows perked up at the idea. Would I be willing to extend my stay in New York to hang around and see what sort of trouble Dean and I could get ourselves into? The idea sounded pretty tempting.

“There she is,” Dean said with a smile as he held up his drink in greeting.

I turned to the door and watched Jo walk into the bar, stealing the attention of every guy within a ten foot radius.

I had a full grin stretching across my face before I even realized how happy I was to see her. She was dressed differently than usual in tight black pants and a thin black t-shirt. It looked like some kind of work uniform, but I didn’t mind the darker look on her.

By the time she’d wound her way toward us, I’d already forgotten my promise to Dean that Jo was just one of the guys tonight.

“I’m sorry I’m late, guys!” she said, coming to stand beside my chair and tossing her purse down onto the table. She seemed worn out, but she looked great. Her bright red lips stood out in the dim light of the bar.

“Long day?” Dean asked.

Jo laughed and scrunched her nose. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry, I got caught up.”

“With another one of your prior commitments?” I asked with an arched brow.