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“You mean you shake his hand,” she said, winking.
“It’s the same thing.”
No, it wasn’t, but the fact he wanted the doorman to feel like an equal went a long way with her too.
She hitched the bag on her shoulder some more and he reached for it. “I’ve got it,” she said.
“Just the same,” he said. “I can carry it.”
When they reached his floor and got out, she saw a few doors. Not like her place with them all crammed together and she could hear her neighbors sneeze.
He put a code in and his door opened. “That’s nice,” she said. “No worries about forgetting a key.”
“It is a nice feature. West lives in Hudson Square. Has the penthouse. His entrance is a code and fingerprint.”
Not surprising that his brother lived in one of the most expensive areas of Manhattan. Hell, Tribeca was right there too.
And when the door opened, she walked right into a hallway. There were doors on each side and she popped her head in to see one was a bedroom and another was an office. A bathroom was next down the hall.
Then they got to an open area with the living room, kitchen and eating area.
The place was much bigger than she expected, but she shouldn’t have been surprised.
“It’s a great view,” she said. There were large windows everywhere.
“I like having a corner space,” he said. “My bedroom is off the living room, lots of windows there. Windows in the spare bedroom but not the office.”
“Which is why it’s an office, right?” she asked.
“Yep. It’s fine. I do a lot of work out here or in my room anyway. Might as well be comfortable on the couch.”
She saw the nice soft leather furniture in the room. A dark gray in color. Everything was light shades of gray and some white.
She moved to the large island and put her bag down to take the food out.
“I’m glad you’re letting me cook for you. My sister taught me how to cook more.”
“You said she was good.”
“She is great. I miss her cooking and baking. One of my favorite meals is this rustic roast beef with potatoes and carrots. I’m sure you’re used to fancy things.”
“Remember how I grew up. My mother made big meals and casseroles that went a long way. I can eat some fancy food and do it for show. Not that they don’t taste good, but at the heart of it, I’m still that Army brat who likes his Mama’s cooking.”
She smiled over that statement. “Do you always put on a show for people?”
Now that the words were out of her mouth she wasn’t so sure she liked the thought of that.
“Yes and no,” he said. “I was thinking of this a few weeks ago talking to West. There were times we had to fake it until we made it. If you go in showing any signs of weakness you get chewed up and spit out. If investors even let you in the door. That could be considered a show back then.”
“But not now?” she asked. “Now you’re cocky and don’t feel the way you did back then?”
“I’d say that West and I earned being cocky, but I don’t think I’m an ass about it. Am I?”
She felt bad that she might have made him feel that way. “No,” she said. “Not at all. I just wanted to make sure I’m not in for any surprises. I like you and what I’ve seen from you.”
“And you’re worried I’m doing it for a show?” he asked. He pulled her closer and hugged her. “No. I’m not. This is who I am. I’m probably more honest with you than anyone else other than my family. They know me the best. West, Laken and Foster, when we see him, those are the people I can let my guard down with.”
“That’s a nice feeling,” she said.
