Her eyes squeezed shut and she visibly shook herself, as if he’d said something to break the spell. “Matt, look. I appreciate the ride, but I have to go.”

Reluctantly, he let his hand drop. “Use my number.”

She didn’t reply.

He watched as she wheeled her suitcase into the Starbucks, vanishing from his sight. For long moments, he couldn’t get his legs to move, but finally managed to get into his car and pull away from the curb. If he felt like he’d forgotten something, it was because he had. Briefly. Now, as he drove alone, farther away from her, he remembered what it was.

Alone was the best place for him.

…

Lucy bought a cup of coffee and waited for Matt’s car to leave, drinking deeply of the hot, black liquid to keep herself from running after him. Telling him everything. The way he’d looked at her when they parted ways…it had left her feeling hollow inside. When he finally left, she sat rooted to her chair for long minutes, staring at nothing, before pulling her cell phone out of her shorts pocket. After a minute of debate, she dialed Hayden.

Her brother’s fiancée answered on the second ring, sounding surprised. “Lucy?”

“Hey.”

A brief pause. “Where are you and Sasha? I thought you’d be here by now.”

She meant Brent’s house in Queens, where Matt would have dropped her off, if he’d known she was actually Lucy. If she didn’t have a strict budget to get her through the week, she would have walked outside and hailed a cab to Brent’s place. But as it was, she’d already be scraping by without springing for the extra thirty dollars. “I had a…change of plans. I’m at a Starbucks in Manhattan. And it’s just me. Sasha couldn’t make it.” She blew out a breath. “Listen, I wouldn’t ask for a ride unless I really needed it—”

“Say no more. I’ll call Brent and let him know—”

“Actually, do you mind keeping this between us?” She didn’t want to get Matt in trouble with her brother when he’d done nothing wrong. “Just for now?”

A brief pause. “Text me the address. I’m on the way.”

Half an hour later, Lucy watched Hayden double-park her silver Lexus and step out onto the sidewalk. Wow. Lucy had gathered, based on Brent’s description, that Hayden was a stunner, but she hadn’t been prepared for the polar opposite of her brash, ball-breaking brother to show up. Polished and put-together, she practically radiated her upper-crust upbringing.

Lucy tossed her empty coffee cup in the trash and wheeled her suitcase outside to join her, feeling more than a little self-conscious in her cutoff shorts and hair that looked like it had been put through a weed whacker. When she noticed Hayden wringing her hands, clearly just as nervous for their first meeting, she was put immediately at ease.

“The prodigal daughter has returned.”

Hayden smiled warmly. “Lucy.”

They hesitated, then hugged a little awkwardly. “Sorry to bring you all the way out here.”

“Not a problem. Brent had to work a late shift tonight, so I was just catching up on some paperwork. Anyway, I’ve been told to expect the unexpected with you.”

When Hayden popped the trunk, Lucy heaved her suitcase inside, ignoring the sting that came along with the good-natured remark. “It’s true. I like to keep everyone on their toes.”

Seconds later, they pulled into traffic and were heading uptown. After living in Syracuse so long, being in Manhattan felt like she’d landed on a different planet. Lights, sounds, rumbling, shouting, movement. It didn’t make her nervous, though. Anticipation and a curl excitement filled a little bit of the hole the afternoon had left inside her, but not nearly enough to forget Matt’s face as she walked away. Think of something else.

“So, Hayden. If you don’t mind me asking…?”

“Fire away.”

“How did my brother manage to land you?”

Hayden’s laugh bounced around the interior of the car. “I assure you, I landed him.”

Lucy considered the brunette, heard the sincerity ringing in her voice, and nodded. “Nice pull, Brent,” she murmured, staring back through the windshield.

“Since we’re asking questions,” Hayden began hesitantly, “do you want to tell me why Matt dropped you off in the wrong place? That’s not like him. He’s normally very…regimented.”

Something about the car’s dark interior and the exhaustion that suddenly came over her had tears threatening behind Lucy’s eyes. The need to unburden herself, if just partially, couldn’t be denied. “I screwed up,” she whispered. “Matt didn’t do anything wrong.”

Hayden didn’t say anything for a moment. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

Lucy could only shake her head. When Hayden turned off Riverside Drive and coasted to a stop in front of a town house, Lucy glanced at her questioningly. “Where are we?”

“This is my place.” She sounded almost embarrassed over that fact, but Lucy couldn’t fathom why. “For another couple weeks, anyway. I’m handing over the keys to the new owner in July when I permanently move in with Brent.” Her face flushed a little. “When I thought you were bringing a friend along for the week, I thought you could make use of it. You know, two single girls in Manhattan, so close to the action…”

For a girl who grew up sharing everything with two gigantic older brothers, then stuffed into a dorm, followed by a tiny two-bedroom for the last six years, the very idea floored her. She just barely resisted the urge to cabbage patch. “Me? This place?”

“That was the idea, but now that you’re solo—”

“Even better. I don’t have to wear pants.”

Hayden nodded sagely. “There is that.”

Lucy pushed the passenger-side door open and stood, staring up at the town house. Hayden rounded the car to stand beside her. “Thanks, Hayden. I really appreciate this.”

“Sure.” She shifted in her high heels. “I hope it doesn’t seem like we don’t want you with us in Queens. Brent wasn’t exactly thrilled when I suggested this. He was looking forward to having his sister around.”

Something lodged in Lucy’s throat. “Really?” she managed.

Bafflement transformed Hayden’s features. “Of course.”

What would he think if he knew you’d duped his best friend into sleeping with you?

With that disturbing thought ringing in her head, Lucy busied herself removing her suitcase from the trunk. Hayden put a hand on her wrist to stop her. “Wait. I figured you would stay with us, at least for tonight. You probably haven’t even eaten—”

“Really, I’m just exhausted. I wouldn’t be good company.” Lucy kept her smile in place, but it felt like it might crack at any moment. “I can order takeout or something. Don’t worry about me.”

Hayden looked dubious, but stepped back. “I guess we’ll see you tomorrow night, no matter what, right?”

Lucy pulled the handle up on her suitcase. “Tomorrow night?”

“Brent didn’t tell you?” At Lucy’s blank expression, she sighed. “My parents are throwing us an engagement party at their place, which is actually right around the corner from here. It’s going to be small. Mostly just family and a few close friends.” She twisted her engagement ring on her finger. “You’ll come, won’t you?”