"You, my dear, can be a massive pain in my backside."
"Compliments will get you everywhere," Destry beamed. She rested her head on Andi's shoulder for a moment, savoring the bond that went deeper than mere blood and bone. "Tell me about my non-date."
"Don't know very much." Andi took a seat behind her desk and booted up her laptop. "He's been out of town for the last few months—an extended vacation. Noah's known him for years and says he's funny and interesting."
"If Noah's on board, what could possibly go wrong?"
"Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice, little sister?" Andi didn't sound pleased. "Time we cleared the air. If you have a problem with my fiancé, tell me now."
"Doesn't matter if I have a problem with Noah. The question is, why don't you?" The resentment, suppressed for too long, burst to the surface. "He was supposed to love you. Instead, he broke your heart. No reason, no explanation."
"You don't need to rehash the past, Destry. I remember what happened."
"Do you?" Destry tossed up her hands. "Sometimes I wonder. The pain he put you through. All the times you swore you were over him, I knew the truth. Noah Brennan broke your heart into a million pieces. And, finally, just when you were ready to move on, he pops back into your life. Do you shout at him? Or rail? At the very least, do you give the bastard a much-deserved kick in the balls?"
"I like his balls."
On a roll, her ire at the peak stage, Destry didn't appreciate Andi's attempt at humor.
"Of course you like his balls. And every other part of him. Noah's a fine-looking man, always was. Naturally, he's grown sexier with age, damn him."
"You'd prefer he had a beer belly and a receding hairline?"
"For your sake, yes." Destry took a deep breath. She'd kept her opinion bottled up too long. Her feelings toward Noah were understandable. However, she hadn't realized how much of her anger was aimed at Andi. "I know you still love him. And, I can see how happy he makes you. But…"
"Why didn't I make him crawl like a dog and beg me to forgive him?"
"Yes!" Destry collapsed onto the sofa with a huff. "I understand Noah was manipulated."
"By Ingo Hunter—aided by Billie and my father."
The flash of pain in Andi's eyes over Sterling Anderson's betrayal tore at Destry's heart. On the Benedict sisters' paternal scale of one to ten, Andi's father wasn't the worst of the lot, just the weakest. The man was terrified of public opinion, a fact Ingo Hunter used to his advantage.
"Hunter is scum. Billie, vindictive. Your father, spineless." Destry hated to state the obvious, but the fact helped make her point. "Noah should have trusted in your love. Instead, he let Sterling play on his insecurities."
"You're right."
Surprised at how quickly Andi agreed, Destry blinked. She'd expected her sister to put up more of a defense for the man she loved.
"Then why didn't you make Noah suffer?"
"He did suffer. I suffered. Three years, Destry." Andi rubbed her chest—the spot just above her heart. "We survived three years without each other. And if he hadn't come back, if he hadn't apologized? If the truth hadn't come out? We would have survived."
"You weren't happy without Noah," Destry sighed. "Not really."
"Before Noah, I was completely focused on my career. He brought fun into my life. He taught me how to relax. After he left, I threw myself into work. My business flourished at the cost of everything else. I didn't want to admit the truth. When Noah left, he took my heart with him."
Destry could see the difference. Her sister was a beautiful, talented, loving woman. Her life was full and rich. She was happy. However, there were different degrees of happy. Destry had to admit, Noah made Andi glow.
"I could have made him wait—made myself wait. But for what? A tiny bit of satisfaction, a crumb of payback?" Andi shook her head. "Until I allowed myself to let go of the past, I hadn't realized how much anger, and resentment, and bitterness I carried around. Now, I feel… free. When I think of Noah, I smile. And, in case you hadn't noticed, I smile all the time."
"I noticed." Destry let go of her doubts—for her sister, for Noah, and for herself. "Love looks good on you."
"Check out Noah tonight. Looks pretty good on him, too."
Destry, laughing, hugged her sister.
"Okay, I forgive the jerk."
"Jerk?" Andi shook her head. "Really?"
"Give me a break. Ten minutes ago, I hated the guy." Destry opened the office door. "All things considered, jerk is practically a declaration of undying love."
When Andi chuckled—such a good sound—Destry winked and headed down the hall, a bounce in her step. Her sister deserved to be well and truly loved. And for the first time since his return, she believed Noah Brennan was the right man for the job.
CHAPTER SEVEN
~~~~
MANHATTAN'S NEWEST LUXURY hotel, The Stanton Plaza, boasted one of the hottest restaurants in the city. Located just under the top floor—only the two sprawling penthouse suites boasted a loftier view—reservations at Majestic were made months in advance. Destry didn't ask what strings were pulled to get them in, she was too busy enjoying the atmosphere and the company.
Tucked discreetly in a lighted alcove near the back of the large, yet intimate dining area, a single cellist played a Bach concerto with skill and restrained passion. The music flowed like fine wine—smooth, subtle, and the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Crisp, white linen covered each table. The crystal stemware sparkled, the engraved silver was polished to a high sheen. Overhead, the lighting was like muted moonlight—romantic and flattering.
Calder and her fiancé, Adam Stone sat across from Destry. Andi and Noah, to her left. However, the seat to her right remained conspicuously empty.
"Are you sure my date, or rather, non-date is real?" Destry spoke so only Andi could hear. "Maybe your fiancé made his friend up."
"To what end?" Andi kept her voice low.
"Payback for my less than welcoming attitude?"
Andi snorted, her eyes filled with humor. When she realized Destry was semi-serious, she sighed.
"Get over yourself. Noah has better things to do than plot your emotional downfall."
"He's a better man than I am, Gunga Din." Normally, Destry preferred to come straight at her enemies. However, she wasn't above a taste of subtle humiliation if warranted.
"Not better." Unmasked love glittered in Andi's eyes when she looked at Noah. "Simply less bloody-minded. You, my little heathen, are in a class by yourself."
Another woman might consider Andi's assessment as an insult. Not Destry. To her, bloody-minded, and heathen were a compliment of the highest order.
"You look very pretty, by the way." Andi nodded her approval.
Tonight, Destry's softer side was on display. Feminine, sophisticated, with perfect table manners. And, she thought, laughing, a smile sweet enough to draw all the bees to her honey—so to speak.
On her way back from the ladies' room, Calder paused when she heard her sister's muted chuckle.
"What's the joke?" she asked.
Destry whispered her explanation as Andi leaned in to listen. The women's laughter drew the attention of Adam and Noah—and a few appreciative glances from nearby diners.
Brow raised, Adam stood, holding Calder's chair.
"Should I bother to ask?"
"Sister stuff," she said, kissing his cheek.
"Sister stuff." Adam exchanged looks with Noah. "Sound familiar?"
"Goes with the territory." Noah laced his fingers with Andi's and raised her hand to his lips. "When you love a Benedict sister, the others are part of the package."
"Any complaints?" Andi asked, her smile only for Noah.
"Not a single one."
"How about you?" Calder asked Adam. When he slowly shook his head and mouthed the word never, her dark eyes glowed with happiness.
Destry watched her sis
ters and the men they'd fallen for, head over heels, and felt her heart swell with pride. If Bryce were present with her man, she knew she'd feel the same. Each found their mate, their partner, their perfect match. They found love—the forever kind. Considering the examples set by their parents, the odds seemed against them.
Yet, here they were, proof that happily ever after can happen—if you're willing to fight and refuse to give up. Seemed the cliché was right. Love did conquer all.
More wistful than sad, Destry realized for all her badass ways, her sisters were a lot stronger than she was. She could face down the toughest foe without breaking a sweat. But love? Just the thought made her break out in a rash. Some people didn't fit into the one woman, one man mold. And she was one of them.
"You're awfully quiet," Andi said. "Everything okay?"
"Just admiring your men." Destry gave Adam and Noah long, considering looks. "Handsome, aren't they?"
"They'll do."
Dressed in suits and ties, freshly shaven, without knowledge of their history, a person would think Adam and Noah were born into the upper echelon of the New York social scene. Born with nothing, each in his own way bulldozed his way up the ladder to a lofty, well-deserved perch.
Adam had an easy-going personality. Noah friendly but less open and harder to read. Ambition and drive were part of their DNA, qualities each recognized in the other.
"Finally." Noah stood, holding out his hand as a slender man with sandy-colored hair approached the table. "Did you get lost?"
"Last minute business call."
"I should have known." Noah signaled their waitress. "Still a bourbon man?"
"Neat," the man nodded.
Noah placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and began the introductions.
"Patrick Dix, I'd like you to meet Andi Benedict, my fiancée, and her sister Calder."
"Hello," Calder nodded, smiling.
"Adam Stone." Adam stood as he shook Patrick's hand.
"And, you must be Destry." Giving her his complete attention, Patrick's hazel eyes flared with interest.
"By process of elimination, I must be."
His self-deprecating smile made Destry take a second, closer look. Nothing better than a man who could laugh at himself.
"I apologize for my late arrival." He took the seat next to her. "A show of bad manners isn't the best way to make a good first impression."
"An apology, sincerely given, helps."
"I agree." Patrick smiled. "Are you a stickler for proper etiquette, Ms. Benedict?"
"I'm not a stickler for anything, Mr. Dix. But where manners are concerned, I appreciate the basics."
The waitress delivered Patrick's drink. He took a sip.
"I think I might like you, Ms. Benedict— given a chance."
"Start by calling me Destry. We'll see how things go from there."
~~~~
DESTRY'S LOBSTER WAS melt in her mouth perfection. Andi's beef bourguignon and Calder's salmon en croûte were equally good—she knew for a fact because she insisted they each give her a bite.
The evening passed much too quickly, and Destry could say without reservation that Patrick was the best date she'd had in a long time. He possessed a natural charm—smooth, witty, and attentive without ever coming off as too much. The stories he told about his job as a stockbroker had everyone at the table in stitches. Who knew Wall Street was such a bundle of laughs?
"May I ask you a personal question?"
"You can ask," Destry teased.
"Don't worry, I never ask a woman anything too personal on the first date." Patrick winked—in his hands, the gesture felt friendly, not smarmy. "My sister's eighteenth birthday is next week. She's a real fashionista, and I know she would love to own a dress like the one you have on. Will you tell where I can get her one?"
Handsome, funny, smart, and he loved his little sister? Patrick Dix was the whole package. He was perfect, just not perfect for her. She liked him, but she couldn't imagine anything with him beyond friendship. Hopefully, her practically infallible instincts were on track—she would have bet a bundle Patrick felt the same about her.
"My dress is an AB Designs original." Destry touched the flutter sleeve of the flowing fuchsia-colored silk sheath. "I'd tell how you much you'd have to pay for something similar, but mine was a gift from the designer."
"Your sister." Patrick nodded toward Andi. "She's very talented. And very busy, I imagine."
"Never too busy for a friend. Andi?"
"Yes?" Andi turned from her conversation with Calder.
"No," Patrick whispered, obviously uncomfortable. "Don't bother her."
"Patrick would like to buy one of your dresses for his sister's birthday. What's her name?"
"Serena."
"Do you have some time tomorrow to help him pick the perfect present?"
"Please." Patrick cleared his throat. "I'll stop by your boutique and pick something out. No need for you to take time from your busy schedule."
"I'm slammed tomorrow. However, I'll be in the Madison Avenue shop on Tuesday all afternoon. We can work out something else if you're busy then."
"Tuesday's great. Thank you."
"What's your sister's coloring? Blonde like you? Dark? Redhead?"
"Physically, she's very much like Destry."
"Since I know what suits my sister, my job should be a snap," Andi beamed. "I'll set aside a dozen or so options; all you'll need to do is pick the one you think she'd like."
"I imagine she'd love them all." Patrick shook his head, a little dazed. "She's a huge fan."
"Does she live in the city?"
"In Brooklyn."
"Then bring her along," Andi said. "I'd be happy to give her a tour. Unless you want the dress to be a surprise on her big day."
"No. I—"
Speechless, Patrick looked to Noah for help. His friend, grinning, shrugged.
"My fiancée loves to show off, don't you, Anderson?"
Only Noah was allowed to use Andi's full name and live to tell the tale. Love was a crazy emotion, Destry thought. Kind of sticky, and gooey. And when the right people were involved, kind of wonderful.
"Actually, I do," Andi laughed. Her green eyes glittered—bright and happy—as she brushed her hand over Noah's. "Bring Serena, Patrick. We'll eat impossibly tiny sandwiches and drink a few pots of tea. I promise your sister will leave with the perfect dress."
They agreed on a time after which Patrick sat back in his chair, a little dazed.
"You were just Andied. My sisters and I invented the term for when Andi goes into bulldozer mode. No stopping her, even if you could. Then again, why would you want to?"
"Can't think of a single reason." With a slow grin, Patrick rubbed the back of his neck. "She's amazing. I now understand why Noah has the look of a man who won the lottery, over and over again."
"Mm." Destry nodded as her gaze turned to her future brother-in-law. "They're crazy about each other. And at the same time, perfectly sane."
"I've never heard love described in those words." Patrick nodded. "Sounds like something to aspire to."
"For some, I suppose."
"Not for you?"
Destry shrugged. The conversation had taken a turn she hadn't expected—one she didn't want to journey down. Her view on love, like the rest of her life, wasn't for public consumption. As though he sensed her reticence, Patrick let his question go unanswered and asked another.
"Would you have lunch with me one day soon?"
Briefly, Destry wondered if she'd read Patrick's interest in her wrong.
"Another date?"
"A friendly get-together," he qualified. "I like you, Destry. But…"
"You don't like me. Not in a romantic way. Phew." Destry wiped some imaginary sweat from her brow. "Had me worried for a second."
"Friends?" Patrick asked.
"Friends." A person could never have too many.
"Foul
," Adam called. Obviously exasperated, he pointed at Calder's phone. "The other night, you berated me when I took a call during dinner. A double standard isn't a good look on you, my love."
"You took a call, I read a text," Calder pointed out. Practically bouncing in her seat with excitement, she chose to ignore Adam's raised eyebrow. "Remember last spring when the owner of The Stanton Plaza gave me a huge discount on the ballroom?"
Calder hosted a huge annual spring gala to benefit the charity she founded. The largest fundraiser of the year, she couldn't believe her good fortune when a venue she thought to be out of her budget became available—for practically nothing.
"We made a huge profit, and because of one man's generosity, Erica's Angels has helped more people than ever."
"Yay!" Andi, always the proud sister, patted Calder's arm. "What does the text you received have to do with the gala?"
"I've tried for months to personally thank the owner, to no avail. He's a true mystery man. When I google him, I get a generic biography and a few shadowy pictures. The women he dates—gorgeous, naturally—are mentioned in great detail, but little about him. When I'm in the area, I stop in on the off chance he might be here and agree to see me. Did you know he gave a huge donation in addition to letting us have the ballroom?"
"I believe you mentioned the fact." Destry exchanged indulgent looks with Andi. "Once or twice."
"He's become the Moby Dick to my Captain Ahab."
"Only a slight exaggeration," Adam chided with affection.
"Maybe. Slightly." Calder blew Adam a kiss. "However, tonight, I finally landed my elusive whale. Not only is the owner in residence, he's agreed to join us for dessert."
"The glint in your eyes makes me a little nervous. Should I be jealous?"
Adam's question was obviously a joke. However, Calder took his hand and placed the palm to her cheek. When his thumb brushed her lips, her mouth curved into a smile.
"I love you."
"Makes me the luckiest man in the world."
Certain Noah was about to challenge Adam's claim, Destry jumped in. If her sisters' men tried to one-up each other in the devotion department, they could be there all night.
Four Simple Words: A Badass and the Billionaires Contemporary Romance (The Sisters Quartet Book 4) Page 8
