“Why are you here?” Brian asked.
It was a two‐fold question. Did he want to know why Danny was in California, or here at Brian's office?
Danny hoisted himself onto the edge of his brother's desk. It was a wide room with large bay windows. Brian's desk sat cater‐cornered. His brother had his back to a view of the harbor.
“What? I can't come see my brother?”
“I haven't seen you in six months.”
Danny shrugged. “I've been busy. You're not the only one who has to work. I was on tour promoting the new album I have with Nia. I just got back a month ago.”
Since Robert quit on him last week, his world had turned upside down. He'd found a public relations team to replace Robert, but had a sinking suspicion they were going to suck him dry then drop him the moment he stopped being the sizzle on the media outlet's list.
He ran a hand through his hair. “I haven't been sleeping. But enough about me, how have you been?”
Brian raised an eyebrow and typed something on his computer. “You're making me nervous. Sit in one of those chairs.”
He settled on the edge of an uncomfortable leather seat. “Thought you might want to know, Marnie's moved out this way. She's over in Long Beach. From San Fran, that's like an hour and a half plane ride, right?”
Brian looked up from the computer. “Why would I want to know that?”
“So you could go see her.”
“I ended it with Marnie when I left New York.”
“Don't sweat it bro. Enough time has passed. I'm sure she's ready to forgive you.”
“She forgave me before I left.” Brian leaned back in his swivel chair. “She was really sweet about it.”
His pulse quickened. “Then why did you end it?”
“Nothing ever actually happened, so it's not like we broke up or anything. I knew where I stood when she called your name instead of mine at the hospital.”
Danny's eyes widened.
“She doesn't want me. Hey, how'd you know she was in Long Beach? I thought you said she wasn't speaking to you,” Brian said.
Danny focused on the dark black mosaic patterned carpet. “Private eye.”
Brian arched an eyebrow. “Well, that's not stalker‐ish and creepy at all.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, I get it. You want me to go over there so you can see her again. Well, that's not happening. You'll have to do it yourself.”
He would go over there if he was welcome. When she walked out of the penthouse, he made her promise to call him when she picked her new residence. But she never called. He'd prayed for his phone to ring. He even called his provider and made sure he could accept collect calls. Weeks turned into months. No postcard, no e‐mail, not even a tweet. He couldn't fathom why, but she had to be mad at him to cut him out of her life. He had plenty of good reasons to storm over to her place and demand an answer.
But another part, hidden underneath all of the righteous anger, worried. Maybe she never cared for me. He flashed back to their kiss at the penthouse. Perhaps he'd taken things too far. Pushed her too fast. When they'd got back to the penthouse, she'd refused to go to his room. Then when he returned with the pizza, her attitude had changed. One minute she was a sultry sexpot melting under him and the next she'd disappeared. A tight lipped twin filled her space. If he went to see her now, what could he say? I'm sorry. I don't know how this works, but I'm willing to learn if you'll show me. Yep. That didn't sound pathetic. Nah, Brian was wrong. He'd already let her go. No use pining after someone who didn't want him.
“I just need you to go over there and let me know if she's okay. I was her mentor, and now I'm not, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about her. I just need a good night's sleep.”
“Will you listen to yourself? This isn't about mentoring. You want to be with her.”
“No. I'm just worried about her, and I haven't been able to sleep because of it.”
Now was not the time for Brian to jump into his big brother shoes and boss him around. For once, couldn't you do what I asked?
“You know, I think Marnie and I never really connected, because she wanted you,” Brian said.
“She doesn't want me.”
“How do you know?”
“She left.”
“Did you tell her how you felt?”
“Yes.”
“What did you say?”
“I told her I needed her.”
Brian laughed. His voice echoed in the almost empty room.
“Marnie, I need you,” he mocked. “No wonder she left. Women don't want to hear that you need them. You can fulfill your needs through anyone. Women like Marnie want to know you love them.”
Love her? He hadn't loved anyone since Emily. Danny didn't think it would be fair to characterize his feelings for her as love. He hadn't been able to sleep since she left. Worry! His mind screamed at him. You'd feel better knowing she was safe and sober.
Brian leaned forward on the desk. “If you go see her though, it won't be enough to just say it. You're going to have to man up. She's not some little girl. She's going to need more than some empty words, since you fucked it up the first time.”
“I can't tell her something I don't feel,” he said, looking into Brian's eyes.
“I figured as much, otherwise you'd have slept with her already. Seeing her again won't change things for you.”
He ran a hand through his thick black hair.
“So what are you saying?”
“Forget about her,” Brian said.
Danny breathed in sharply. Those words hit him like a punch to the gut. Forgetting her would be like forgetting how to walk.
“It's not that hard to do if you're not in love with her.”
Danny scowled. “I told you I'm not.”
Brian raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright. That's good. There's no need for her to be more fucked up than she already is.”
“What do you mean?”
Brian's hazel eyes darkened. “Do I need to spell it out for you?”
He was talking about Emily. “I would never let anything happen to her.”
“Danny, get out of here.” His brother smiled. “What you're feeling is obligation. But it's over. She has released you from that. Take a walk along the pier. Strike up a conversation with a pretty girl. Get a room, and before you know it, you'll feel like your old self.
Danny sighed then walked toward the door.
“Oh, and Danny?” Brian called out to him as he turned to close his door. “Next time you come out here, let's actually hang out.”