“You’re not wearing your glasses again.”
It was not what I’d been expecting her to say. “No. I’m not.”
“Hmmm.”
What the hell did that mean?
“I’m going to need a few days off,” she said. “For the move.”
I couldn’t believe this was really happening. “Okay.”
“There’s an empty office in the Barn. That’s probably a better fit for me.”
Brooke loved her office. She’d told me more than once one of her favorite parts of the day was having coffee on the balcony.
“Fine,” I said, knowing it was probably true. No way I could have her right down the hall and stay away. Hell, it would be hard enough as it was.
She stood. “Let me know when you have all the paperwork ready. I’d like to have it all in writing before I actually ditch my apartment and move out here.”
She was acting like the end of us was no big deal. How was she dealing with this all so much better than I could possibly manage?
“Of course,” I said, my stubbornness preventing me from saying anything more.
“Okay then. Is there anything else?”
“Jesus, Brooke.” She just stood there. Waiting. Emotionless. “No,” I admitted. “I guess there’s not.”
With that, and not so much as another word, she left. Closed my office door and was gone. A victory for Grado. But not for me.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
brooke
Irrationally,I thought it might be him. Even though Cos had a board meeting tonight, I basically all-out sprinted to the door. Whipping it open, my shoulders sagged in disappointment. It was a Grado brother, but not the one I wanted standing on my doorstep.
“You look like shit,” Marco said.
“Thanks,” I said, imagining he was right. I’d been crying on and off all night.
“Can I come in?”
I stood back, waved Cosimo’s brother inside and closed the door.
“It looks great in here. Big improvement from pre-renovations.”
I moved to the kitchen counter. “Glass of wine?”
“What do you have?”
“Premier Red.”
“A club exclusive. Did you join?”
I gave Marco a look, but he, as usual, was not repentant.
“Working here has its...perks,” he said.
I poured two glasses.