Stealing Rose (The Fowler Sisters #2)(86)

I reach up, touching the stones absently. I regret wearing it. All I can think of is Caden.

Of course, I think of him always, necklace or not.

“Oh, stop trying to flatter us, you big flirt,” Lily teases good-naturedly.

“Hey, hey, no flirting allowed. I’ve given it up for good. I’m here tonight with my new lady friend.” His smile grows wider if that’s possible. “She’s a real beauty, Lil. You’d like her. A little ditzy, but I think that’s my favorite quality of hers.”

They both laugh and I try to do the same, but I just can’t. It’s as if I’m … broken inside. Nothing’s funny, and I feel so crappy it’s all I can focus on. I’m also thirsty. As in, my throat has turned into the Sahara Desert. I’m about to excuse myself to go in search of something to drink when the women’s bathroom door opens and a beautiful older woman glides through it, a serene smile on her face, her eyes lighting up when she spots Cash.

“Darling.” She comes toward us and stops at his side. Cash slips his arm around her waist and pulls her in close, sending her a look of pure adulation.

Seeing it makes my heart hurt. Caden used to look at me like that.

“This is my lady friend, Cora. Rose and Lily Fowler, meet Cora Kingsley.” Cash sends me a knowing look that confuses me for a brief moment.

Until I get it.

My head spins and everything starts to fade. Cora smiles at me—God, I recognize that smile—and reaches out her hand to shake mine. But I don’t grab it. I feel like I’m frozen. My ears are roaring with my thundering heartbeat and I hear Lily call my name, but she sounds so far away.

“Rose. Rosie!” I hear just before my eyes roll to the back of my head.

And I collapse on the floor.

Chapter Twenty-five

Caden

“Met someone you might know,” Cash says conversationally as I sit across from him. We met on my lunch break since he called me first thing this morning, saying he wanted to see me.

We’re at a crowded restaurant that’s close to where I work. Yes, work. I have a job. A job that I love. One that’ll pay almost enough to maintain Mom’s many expenses, though I’m guessing the man sitting across from me might help me with the load considering they’ve been dating hot and heavy since I returned from London.

Weird but true. They finally made it happen. Mom is head over heels in love and I think Cash is, too. They’re already talking marriage. At the very least, they’re going to move in together. Mom’s already preparing to sell the condo.

“Who was it?” I ask just as the waitress sets my plate in front of me. I lift the bread off my turkey sandwich to check for pickles and yep, there they are, the offending little bastards. I pick them off, wipe my hands on my napkin, and then take a big bite. I’m starved.

Only just got my appetite back, too, since I’ve been a miserable little f*ck the last two months.

“I went to this rooftop party. Got invited … not sure how, but I’m not questioning it. Big shindig. Took your mom and she was dazzled. She met your friend, too. Once we got over the initial shock of her passing out cold, Cora found her a truly lovely person.”

I go still. I have no idea who he’s talking about and he’s being evasive. Drawing this out. I know lots of women in Manhattan and most of them I’ve done wrong. Hence my happiness that I’m working in Brooklyn. I know hardly anyone here and I like it that way.

“What do you mean? Are you talking about Mom?” Worry consumes me and I set down my sandwich. “Is everything okay with her?” She’s getting older. Her health could be failing for all I know.

“She’s fine. Stop your worrying.” Cash waves a hand and grabs his sandwich, taking a bite. His expression is contemplative as he chews. “Though maybe you should start worrying once I tell you what I found out,” he says after he swallows.

I push my plate away. “Quit being so mysterious and just spit it out.”

“So cranky. Jesus, you haven’t been the same since you returned from England—you know that, right?”

“I have my reasons,” I mutter, wishing I could have a beer. Not that I’ve been drinking excessively or anything, but a few beers help numb the pain. Help me cope with my troubles. Help me forget I’m missing a particular woman so much my entire body aches.

“Well, maybe I can push you out of that shit mood once and for all.” Cash leans over the table and lowers his voice. “I saw Lily and Rose Fowler Saturday afternoon.”

What the f*ck? “Are you serious?” I swallow hard, trying to get past the lump that formed in my throat. “You met Rose?”

Cash nods, looking smug. “So did your mother.”

Holy shit. “Wait a minute.” My mind is racing, going over everything Cash just said. “Who passed out? Was it Lily or—”

“It was Rose,” Cash says, interrupting me.

My heart grows heavy and I absently rub at the center of my chest, messing up my tie. Now that I’m a working stiff, I have to dress like one. I bought a few new suits and dress shirts and a handful of ties. Though I usually come to work in trousers and a button-down shirt with the tie, nothing too formal. I like my boss, Stanton, and I like my job. I’m damn good at my job.

Considering it’s pretty much all I have, I put my heart and soul into it, vowing I wouldn’t f*ck it up. I can’t afford to f*ck it up. I refuse to go back to my old lifestyle.