All the Way (Romancing Manhattan #1)(55)

“I hope this works for you, Kyle. I mean that.”

“Thanks, sis. I’ll keep you posted.”

He hangs up, and I just sit and stare at my phone in complete shock. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that was someone else’s brother.

Because it sure as fuck didn’t sound like mine.

And suddenly the tears begin, and I can’t stop them. How many years have I lived my life wishing that my brother were different? Praying for him to see that the drugs were killing him, and that he would want to get help?

I never dared wish for an apology.

Not to mention, until today, I don’t remember Kyle ever telling me that he loved me.

I’m a sobbing mess, letting all of the hurt that I’ve kept inside for so long come out of me. I wish my parents were still here to see this. They’d be ecstatic.

Maybe I should take some time to go down there with him. I’m sure I could move some things around and make it work.

Finn walks through my door, sees me crying, and immediately runs over, cupping my face in his hands.

“What is it? Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, unable to answer him, and he pulls me against him, rocking me back and forth for a long few minutes, letting me get it all out.

When I’ve calmed down, he hands me a tissue.

“What’s going on, baby?”

“Kyle called.”

“He decided against rehab?”

“No.” I shake my head and wipe the tears from my cheeks. “He asked if I could come down with him when he checks in. I told him no, and rather than blow up at me, he said he understands.”

“Okay.”

“And then he apologized.” I begin to cry again. “He said he was sorry for everything, and that he hasn’t been a better brother to me. He told me he loves me, and, Finn, he’s never said that to me.”

“Wow,” he says with a sigh, and pulls me back against him for a hug. “What did you say?”

“I said that if he completes rehab and gets it together, we might be able to start some kind of relationship.”

“Did that make him mad?”

“I thought it would, but no. He said if that’s what it takes, he’d make it happen. I’m so afraid to believe him, but I think he really means it this time.”

“It sounds like it.”

“And just before you arrived, I was thinking that maybe I should shift things around a bit and make the time to go down there. Maybe it would make a difference.”

“London,” he says, and shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Let him earn it. Let him complete the program, and then you can pursue it.”

“It just sounds so harsh.”

“I know. If you really want to go, I’ll go with you. But I don’t think it’s a bad idea to wait it out and see what happens.”

“You’re right.” I sigh and set my soaking tissues aside. “Thanks.”

“You scared me,” he says. “I walked in and you were a mess, and the first thing that came to mind was that someone was hurt.”

“I think I was purging some pent-up emotions.”

He smiles and drags his fingers down my cheek, then leans in to kiss me. “You’re a beautiful person, London Watson.”



“Thanks for meeting with me,” Quinn says the next day. We’re in Central Park, which is an easy walk from my place.

“No problem.” We’re walking around the reservoir, through thick trees. If you didn’t know better, you’d think you were in the woods. “What’s up?”

“Well, I wanted to talk about Finn’s party tomorrow night. I know it’s not a surprise, but we’re going to need him to get there by a certain time. He’s not usually late, but it will help if I have you helping make sure he doesn’t procrastinate, given how excited he is about the party.”

“I think he’s going to have a good time,” I reply with a laugh. “He just thinks a party is silly.”

“Okay, now I’m going to cut to the chase.”

I catch my toe on something and trip forward, and Quinn quickly catches me, scooping me up around the waist and righting me.

“Thanks.”

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks for catching me. It was quite chivalrous of you. You’ll make an excellent husband one day.”

“Did my mother pay you to say that?”

“No.” I laugh again and pat his shoulder. “She’s on you about that, is she?”

“Every day of my damn life. And she can harp all she wants, but it isn’t going to happen.”

“Marriage?”

“No way.”

“Why not?”

He glances down at me. “I don’t have time for a woman and a family. I work long hours, I take care of Mom, and honestly, I like to play around a bit.”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-eight. Why?”

“Just curious. I guess as long as you’re safe, you can do whatever you want.”

“Safe is my middle name.”

“Quinn Safe Cavanaugh. Has a ring to it.”

“Now I know what my brother sees in you. You’re a smartass.”