Page 107 of The Silver Fox Brother

There's an edge to her voice that wasn't there yesterday at lunch. Something's changed between then and now.

I study her for a moment. "You're staying in a hotel."

It's not a question.

Winter's head snaps up, her eyes sharp.

"How did you know that?"

"Marcus mentioned he had documents delivered to your office when he needed a signature. When he inquired about a second mailing address for future correspondence, it came up. Your assistant gave the hotel as a billing address on the contract."

Winter sets down the pen she was holding.

"I didn't realize you paid that much attention to contract details."

"I pay attention to everything."

Silence stretches between us. She's not meeting my eyes now, just staring at the fabric samples on her desk like they require her complete focus.

"It's temporary," she says finally. "Until I find the right place."

"How long have you been in a hotel?"

"Three weeks."

The timeline clicks into place immediately.

"Three weeks," I repeat. "Since you started this project."

Winter doesn't respond, which is answer enough.

I should drop it. This is personal, not professional. None of my business what her living situation is as long as the work gets done. But I don't drop it.

"What about Rowan?" I ask, and I can hear the shift in my own voice. Careful now. Treading into territory I shouldn't.

"I had heard you were living with him in the Gramercy apartment."

I realize I'm prying. But I can't seem to stop myself. Winter's jaw tightens.

"I don't live there anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because we broke up."

The words hang in the air between us.

I process them slowly. Winter and Rowan broke up. My brother and the woman sitting across from me are no longer together.

"When?" I ask.

Winter looks at me directly now.

"The night before I accepted your project. Now can we please discuss the three-bedroom unit staging?"

"No."

Her eyebrows raise. "Excuse me?"