The rest of the evening is rather nice. My brother’s friends are all surprisingly pleasant. I apparently still have to meet Deanand Lincoln, but I can tell my brother has found a good group of guys.
I’m still wary when it comes to Roman, but even he managed to loosen up a bit. I caught him laughing a couple of times, making me wonder if maybe he’s just tense around new people.
Maybe he just needs to warm up to me. Maybe he doesn’t know how to move past a business relationship.
Around nine, most of the guys begin filtering out until it’s just me, Walker, and Roman.
Walker looks between the two of us. “I still can’t believe you guys are working together. You’ll need to let me know what it’s like, working for the most eligible bachelor of New York.”
A flicker of frustration flashes across Roman’s face.
I raise my eyebrows at him. “So, you’re New York’s most eligible bachelor? Is this an official title or just something my brother has deemed fitting?”
For the first time, he cracks a smile at something I said. My heart does a little flutter in my chest.
“It’s a stupid title.”
Walker chuckles as he stands up and throws away his beer. He leans on the kitchen island and folds his arms across his chest.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I reply.
He accentuates his annoyance by rolling his head back. I bite down hard on my lip to cover the smile that wants to take over.
“One of the magazines in the city makes this list every year.”
“So, it’s true. You are this year’s most eligible bachelor of New York.” I purse my lips and nod slightly. “I didn’t realize I was working for someone with such elite status.”
Walker’s laugh echoes from across the room.
Roman turns to him. “Fuck off. I told you I don’t like that shit getting out. Get out of here.”
My brother holds his hands up in defeat. “Sorry, man. It’s just too good.” He looks over at me. “I’m gonna head out of here. I’ve got a big case I’m working on. Need that beauty sleep. You need me to walk you to your apartment?”
My eyes widen. “I live one floor below this. I think I can manage it on my own.”
“Fine.” Walker eyes Roman. “You’ll make sure she gets home safely.”
“I can manage that,” Roman responds.
With that, Walker walks out of the penthouse, leaving me and Roman alone. The second he is gone, the energy in the room shifts to the familiar tension that is there whenever we are together.
I look over at him, and his eyes are boring into mine intensely.
“I’ll be fine, getting myself to my apartment,” I say softly as I stand up.
He stands with me. “I said I would make sure you get home safely, so that is what I’ll do.”
I sigh. “Suit yourself.”
He follows me all the way to the elevator. “Has Walker always been this protective of you?” he asks as I press the button to my floor.
I keep my eyes trained on the doors in front of me. “For as long as I can remember.”
“That must have made things difficult in high school.”
The elevator doors open, and we walk down the hall to my front door.
“You have no idea. Even though he was living in the city, he still had eyes on me. Boys were warned by their older brothers not to touch me.”