Page 70 of Trust Fund Baby

I tossed an arm over James’s shoulder in support as the two of us headed back to the waiting cab.

“Hey!” Roxie called out to us. We both turned back to see her still standing on the stoop, a vision with the wind whipping through her hair, making her appear goddess-like. “You know she went to the pizzeria to do the review she agreed with you? She wants it to be our first review on the new website. She asked your family not to tell you until it was published, in case you’d be mad. But now you’re here, well I think it’s okay that I tell you.”

James sucked in a breath next to me, and I could feel his body tense underneath my arm. He nodded to Roxie, thanked her, and we left.

As our car pulled away, the city lights blurring past, all I could think about was that I had to either let go of Roxie completely and move on with my life, or become the man that she deserved. Someone who was full of as much life and kindness as she was. More than that, it was the man I wanted to be. Not just for her, but for myself.

Subject: I’m So Proud of You

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Roxie,

I saw you tonight at your apartment. It was the first time I’d seen you since the pizzeria and after finding out that you had quit your job at the gallery. You had this light about you. Your face was lit up, the happiest I’ve seen it in years. I find your passion inspiring, especially how fiercely you chase after your dreams. Even if the path you choose winds on for longer than you’d prefer.

I’ve strayed so far down my own path, but I’m still hoping I can find my way home. To you.

Sebastian xx

26

Seb

Last night aside, I hadn’t set foot in Whiskey Locker in nearly a month. Between my own life crumbling apart and James’s mess with Hallie, neither of us had managed to drag ourselves back here. But the second we walked through the door, it was the same as ever—the smell of aged oak and bourbon hanging heavy in the air, undercut with the faint, salty sweetness of those pretzels they baked in the back.

James was half a step ahead of me, his shoulders wound tight, scanning the crowd like a man walking into a poker game holding nothing but a losing hand.

“You think she’ll come?” he asked.

I didn’t answer right away. He already knew the answer. Roxie King was stubborn as hell, and if she swore Hallie would be here, then she’d damn well be here.

“She’ll come,” I said finally, adjusting my jacket as we pushed deeper into the Friday-night crowd. “She cares too much not to.”

James let out a low, nervous breath.

And then I saw her.

Roxie.

She was at the bar, blonde hair loose around her shoulders, silk blouse catching the low light, looking like she could make a man forget his own name with one glance. Hallie sat beside her, nursing a glass of wine. Neither of them had noticed us yet.

James froze. His gaze locked on Hallie like he’d been waiting his whole life for this moment.

“She’s here,” he whispered, more to himself, I think, than to me.

“This is either going to be great,” I muttered, “or an absolute train wreck.”

But James didn’t wait around. He cut through the crowd, past our fellow finance bros twirling their Old Fashioneds. Hallie’s eyes found him instantly, and the look on her face nearly stole the breath from my lungs. Like the world had tilted back into place for the two of them.

I’d grown up watching my father flirt with women that weren’t my mother. Then I’d watched my mother smile and nod to the same women at the country club as if everything was perfectly fine at home. Even my own romantic relationships, if you can call them that, were limited to one-night stands and a few that never made it past a few months, mostly because of my idiocy.

But this? This was different. With Hallie and James, the air in the room shifted.

“Hey,” James said.

“Hey,” Hallie breathed, like this moment felt nearly unbelievable and she was trying her best to convince herself it was all real.