Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(48)

Adrian covers his mouth in laughter, and Pace punches him in the shoulder.

“What?” I ask.

“Pace dropped out of medical school two years in,” Adrian says.

My eyes bulge out of my head. “You’re kidding! Did your parents have joint coronaries?”

The brothers laugh and shake their heads. Pace tells me that his parents were understanding of his decision, being that he did try

medical school for two years and promised to pay them back for their investment.

“Being a doctor just didn’t turn out to be what I wanted to do long-term.” Pace shrugs.

“What did you want to do long-term?” I ask.

“Make a shitload of money. I work for the company that owns this place.” Pace grins. If there’s one thing you can say about the

foul-mouthed Turner brother, it’s that he’s one hundred percent honest. “Seriously though, November. Where’d you resurface

from? It’s been so long.”

It’s clear from the look on both of their faces that I haven’t exactly been a topic of recent conversation.

“So, you live one floor apart and I’ve never come up?” I eye Adrian, who looks out to the harbor.

“Oh, you’ve come up all right.” Pace crosses his arms in front of his chest, tucking his fingers under his armpits.

“Shut it, Pace,” Adrian commands.

Silence befalls the previously light atmosphere. That’s my cue.

“Well, I’m going to take a shower.” I clear my throat and disappear into the bathroom.

When I’m dried and dressed, I find Pace alone in the living room, eating the omelet he was preparing when we walked in.

“Where’s Adrian?” I ask as I slide onto the stool next to Pace. I’ve always been comfortable around him. The big brother role

exudes from his core; it’s nice to see that hasn’t changed in the last few years.

Pace sips his orange juice and watches me from the corner of his eye. “He went around the corner to grab you guys some bagels.”

“What gives, Pace? Tell me...before he comes back.” I know he’s holding something back, and it’s irritating.

“Well, obviously when you two broke up in college,” Pace launches in with little thought, “he was a mess for a while. After

graduation, law school took up most of his time.”

“And bimbos.” I roll my eyes.

“Yeah, those too. Anyway, when he took the contract job with DROP, and saw that your organization was on the table, he became a

nervous wreck. He thought about suggesting every organization but yours. I told him not to be such a fool, so he went for it. God,

” Pace pauses and shakes his head, “you should have seen the sorry sight that walked into this apartment the day after you guys

all went out—when he figured out something was going on with that Bo dude.”

My neck suddenly feels hot, and I look down.

“No, it’s OK, girl. Don’t worry. I told him he should have just gone right for you, but, you know how he is all “respectful”

and whatnot.” Paces eye roll elicits a huge laugh from me.

“I take it you’re still single?” Monogamy, and relationships in general, were never Pace’s strong suit.

“You got it, baby.” He winks and brings his dishes to the sink. “I guess, given the fact that you’re here...things didn’t

really ...”

“No, things with Bo didn’t pan out—so to speak.” I save Pace from his social fumble.

I spend the next several minutes telling Pace about everything that happened in Concord. Adrian walks in during the middle of it,

but resigns himself to listening with his back turned, toasting our bagels. He slides my plate in front of me as my voice cracks

around the details of the hotel room. I clear my throat several times in an attempt to sound composed, but the truth is, I’ll

never get used to telling the story. Someday I’ll just have to stop. Adrian sweeps my hair away from the side of my neck,

replacing it with his lips. Pace’s eyes leave mine for a moment as he studies his brother; when they return to me they’re

different, softer. He believes in us—he always has.

“So, that’s it. That’s what the f*ck I’m doing here.” I shoot Pace a wry smile.

“Thanks for clearing that up, November.” He chuckles and flashes a sexy, lopsided grin. It’s really a shame he won’t settle

down. Well, I suppose it’s no shame for the hordes of women vying for his attention constantly. He stands to leave.

“Hey, before you go—remember Monica? She and her boyfriend Josh got engaged a few weeks ago. I’m throwing an engagement party

for them at Finnegan’s in Barnstable—Fourth of July weekend. You should come.”

“I thought she didn’t like him,” Adrian spits out.

“No, it’s you she doesn’t care for. She loves Pace,” I tease. “You’re coming with me anyway, so it’s a non-issue. She’s

over it.” I shrug.

Pace leaves, and Adrian and I finish our breakfast. I leave out the part about Pace telling me the emotional turmoil I

inadvertently put Adrian through. Adrian heads to work, and I deal with my conference calls. Rae and Monica each call me once, but