Her phone rang as she finished typing his name. Picking it up, Tory expected to see “Mom” on the screen. They'd only spoken once since Tory left California, but Mom knew she closed on her new condo tomorrow. And if it were her mom, she'd let the call go to her voice mail and call her back later. Unlike when Adam announced he was moving, Mom hadn't supported her decision to accept a new position and start a new life three thousand miles away. At the moment, she wasn't in the mood for another lecture about what a silly decision it had been and how she should reconsider. She also didn't want to hear a long list of Grant's fine qualities or the reasons why she should give him a second chance.
Turning over the phone, Tory touched the green answer icon when she saw the name Leah. Although they'd been born two weeks apart, since they lived on opposite coasts, she had spent little time with her cousin Leah until they were fourteen and shared a dorm room at school. Within a month of living together, they'd been like sisters—something neither of them had—and they'd opted to share a room all four years at Phillips. And although Tory had a lot of good friends, she considered Leah her closest, and she knew Leah felt the same way.
These days, Leah and her husband spent most of their time in Connecticut. However, they also had a place in New York City since they both worked there and didn't always want to deal with the commute. Tory didn't blame them either. It was the main reason she'd opted for a condo in Boston rather than a neighboring town, because while she could work from home some days, she would need to make an appearance in the office. Regardless of which home Leah and Gavin stayed at, Tory's relocation would allow her to see her cousin more often, a fact she'd taken into consideration before deciding to move.
“Aren't you supposed to be on vacation?” Tory asked after greeting Leah.
While Tory loved her family and friends, she didn't want to talk to them when she was on vacation, even if part of the vacation had been to visit relatives, which had been the case for Leah and Gavin.
“We got home yesterday.”
That explained the phone call tonight.
“Have you closed on the condo yet? I knew it was happening this week but couldn't remember when.”
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“I'm going to my parents' this weekend. Do you want some company? I'll even help you unpack.”
Unlike Tory, Leah's parents preferred to live outside Boston and deal with the traffic. During rush hour, the trip could easily take well over an hour. But assuming the weather cooperated and there were no major sporting events, one could get from their house to the city on the weekends in about thirty minutes.
“Alec let me have things delivered already, so I have started, but I'd love the extra help.” Of course, if Leah were there, they'd probably do more talking than work, but so what? The world wouldn't end if it took her an extra few days to unpack. “Speaking of company, are you attending the bachelor auction next month?”
Like Ivy, Leah did not need a bachelor auction, but since her aunt was the foundation's director, it was possible she planned to attend. And Tory would find it a lot more fun if Leah were there.
“I haven't decided yet. Why?”
“I'm going. Come with me. We'll have fun.”
“Sure, why not? It was entertaining last time.”
Even though she'd started a potential list, Tory wasn't sure she wanted to proceed with Ivy's crazy plan. But either way, Leah might have some insight into the four men she'd put on her list of potential bachelors. “Do you know any of the men that'll be there?”
“It's possible. I haven't looked to see who is participating. Why? Thinking about bidding on someone this time?”
“Maybe. A few of them I know and would never want to go out with even once, never mind four times. It'd be nice to know a little more about the rest.”
“I'll look over the website when I buy my ticket and see if I know any of them. And if I don't, Gavin might. Is there anyone in particular you are interested in?”
“Right now I’m considering Clay Bentley, Duncan Ferguson, Bradford Mulligan, and Tucker Pierce.”
“I only met him once, but Tucker is a good friend of Harry. That should tell you all you need to know.”
“I’m crossing him off my list as we speak.”
Yep. Harry, Gavin’s brother, was the biggest playboy around. Anyone who would be good friends with him wasn’t the type of man she’d date.
“Good move. Clay Bentley, I’ve never heard of, but I know Duncan is the founder of Chat and he lives in Boston,” Leah said before sharing what else she knew about him.
* * *
Duncan heardhis condo door open as he placed the spinach dip he'd removed from the microwave on the counter. It was a bad idea from a security standpoint, but he always left the door unlocked when he was expecting friends. They all knew it too, so none ever bothered to ring the bell or knock.
A moment later, his best friend, Alec Sherbrooke, walked into the room carrying an overnight bag. “Which room do you want me to use?”
Until a few months ago, Alec had also called the Heritage on the Harbor Terrace home, but these days he lived on Sanborn Island. The same island Duncan had lived on until he was eleven and, in many ways, still considered home. It was also a place he frequently visited because much of his family still lived there, which was why in August he'd purchased a home there. Since Alec needed to be in Boston tomorrow, he was spending the night at Duncan's rather than at a hotel.
“You pick. It doesn't matter to me.” He had two identical guest bedrooms he always kept ready for when his family visited.