“That’s all right. Have a seat,” I say. If anything, talking business with my little brother will help take my mind off things.
He narrows his eyes. “Even I can see that you look shot. Have you been sleeping?”
“Not very well.”
“No, I can see that.” He sinks down into the chair Andrew just left, stretching out his long legs. Abel, seeing that her master is safe and sound, comes around the table to greet me.
I run my hand over her soft head. “Hi, you.”
Abel wags her tail softly and then lies down next to Anthony, ever loyal, ever faithful.
“What’s wrong?”
“Sophia and I have called it quits.”
He frowns. “Damn. Sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“How come?”
“Lots of things.” I shake my head and push back from my desk, giving my own legs room to stretch. “It’s over and I’d rather it wasn’t, but it wasn’t my call. She found out about the relationship I had with Beverly, and reacted badly.”
“Oh,” he says. “You know, I heard she’s moved on to Paul’s younger brother. Can’t remember his name right now, but you know the banker, who just moved back from London?”
“Logan,” I say dryly. “It wouldn’t surprise me. Sleeping with Beverly meant nothing at the time, but Sophia doesn’t see it that way. And… I’m pretty sure she’s still in love with her ex-husband.”
“Well, shit,” Anthony says. “That one’s hard to overcome.”
“Yeah.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“No, but I’ve picked up on the signals.”
“Hmm,” he says. “Look, I’m not an expert on women.”
That makes me laugh. “No, I wouldn’t say you are.”
My brother pointedly ignores that. “But I do know that, nine times out of ten, when you assume what they’re thinking or feeling? You assume wrong.”
“You get marriedonce,” I say, “and suddenly you’re full of wisdom?”
He lifts a finger. “Being married means you won the dating game, so I’d listen to me if I were you.”
I sigh. “Right. Okay. So I shouldn’t assume.”
“No, you shouldn’t. What did she actually say? When she found about Beverly, and when she wanted to end things?”
I rest my elbows on the table. “It’s not a conversation I want to relive.”
“Come on,” Anthony says. “We won’t leave to get lunch until you do.”
“You’re a real menace.”
“And you’re stalling.”
I sigh, but give in, giving him a quick rundown of what she’d said. I even repeat those words.I can’t be your wife.