Page 77 of For Your Eyes Only
She doesn’t come with me to the airport. She’s checking on her Private Eyes account, and I have Franco, DJ, and another bouncer named Kip watching over her at all times.
Still, as I take my seat in first class on the nonstop flight to Manhattan, I can’t help feeling like I’m leaving my heart in south Florida. I can’t help noting I’ve never felt this way before. I’ve never cared about leaving anywhere or anyone—in fact, I’m typically all too ready to move on to the next place.
Not this time.
This time it’s different… and that worries me.
Three hours later, I’m touching down at LaGuardia, retrieving my bag from the overhead bin and walking out to meet my car. I’ll be at the Andover by ten. As soon as my phone makes connection, it lights up.
One text is from Grish, saying to let him know as soon as I land. I’ll let him know when I get to the apartment building. The next is from my girl, and the surge in my chest at the mere sight of her words rattles me.
I used to dream of dancing in New York as Clara in the Nutcracker.She sent this an hour after my flight took off.
As I wait for the car, I quickly tap back,You’d be amazing, but I think you’d be happier in Miami. More fun.
I hit send and check in with the limo driver. I don’t know him, and it’ll take almost an hour to get to my apartment. Settling into the back of the ride, I retrieve a tumbler from the mini bar and pour myself a vodka and soda.
If I have to be here, it’s time to check in with friends.Just landed at LGA. Quick visit to town. You around?I hit send, wondering if she’s home, and how long it’ll take for a response.
Gray dots float at once, and Hana’s text appears on my screen.Finally! Debbie wanted to check out this new place, the Beatbox, but we’ll wait for you if you want to join?
Twisting my wrist, I check the time. It’s after one, and I won’t get to the apartment until almost two.Carry on without me, I reply.We’ll catch up tomorrow.
I can see she’s answering, and as I wait, I get one more text from my girl.Your bed is very big without you in it.
Sliding my finger over the face, I think about her alone in my bed.Wish I were there to make it feel smaller.
Hana’s reply interrupts our conversation.You’re getting old, chairman. See you tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I reply.
Only, tomorrow turns into tonight when I arrive at my mother’s apartment to find she has company. I hear the moans and turn on the landing, heading back out and up the flight of stairs.
I really need to get my own place, I text Hana.
Her reply is almost as annoying as my welcome home.Oh, your mom came back early.
Thanks for the heads up.I’m not smiling.
Gray dots, then her reply.We’re a block away. Crash at our place.
I always do, I think, sliding the loose sconce above their door to the side, I retrieve the hidden key and unlock the door. I return the key before entering the empty van Hamilton apartment. Their mother is in St. Moritz—which is where Cheryl should be.
I go straight to the minibar and pour another vodka.
“Bestie, you’re home!” Hana’s high, soft voice reaches me before she does, arms open wide.
“I might as well be,” I grumble, returning her hug.
“I’m sorry.” She makes a pouty face. “Someone posted a photo of your mom getting snuggly with her ski instructor on Instagram, and it caused friction with her boys in New York. She flew back yesterday to smooth their ruffled feathers.”
“I almost caught the live show.”
She giggles, and I take another sip of my vodka to drown the growl in my chest.
“Debbie distracted me or I’d have told you.”
“Shut up, beesh, I did not!” Debbie yells from the kitchen, and it sounds like her mouth is full. She sticks her head around the corner and blinks a thick black eyelash at me. “Hello, lover-boy, I’m making sugar cookies. Want one?”