“You could also show me around New York.” He pats my hand, his voice determined. “Like young Ethan, I spent most of my life working. Now that I’m old, I want to enjoy my life a little bit, what little I have left of it at least. Can you believe that I’ve never explored the city?”
I glance at him hesitantly. “Did you grow up in New York?”
He shakes his head. “No. But I lived there for quite a few years in my youth. However, I had been in the midst of building my business, so I didn’t get the opportunity to enjoy my time there. I’ve never even been to the Statue of Liberty.”
I gave him an incredulous look. “Never?”
He chuckles. “It seems I have committed a grave sin. Have you been there?”
“Twice,” I say, the memory making me smile. “The first time was when my friend and I ditched our classes in high school. I think it was our last year, and we booked a tour that took us to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We had both saved up our babysitting money. It was fun. A majority of our money went to the tour, so we had very little money to spend on food. We ended up buying a bunch of hotdogs and just carried them around with us in a plastic bag. I ended up with severe food poisoning. Had to be taken to the ER, but it was worth it.”
Roland’s smile flickers. “Your parents must’ve been upset.”
I shrug, the memory no longer as painful as it once was. “I was on the cusp of being eighteen, so they didn’t call my mother. They did have to call my emergency contact, though,which happened to be a neighbor of ours. She stayed at the hospital with me for the whole day, and then when we went home, she made me soup and looked after me. Miss Rita was a sweetheart.”
“I don’t understand.” The older man gives me an intent look. “Why was your neighbor your emergency contact? Isn’t an emergency contact a family member?”
It’s a weird thing to fixate on. “I changed my emergency contact when I turned seventeen. My mother didn’t like being contacted for trivial problems.”
“She neglected you.” Roland’s expression turns grim, his brows furrowing deeply.
The conversation has taken a strange turn, and I don’t know how to steer it back to its original course.
“She was okay,” I say carefully. “She was mostly busy with my older brother. And I was always an independent child.”
Roland studies me for a few moments, and then he turns his head to the side as if he doesn’t want me to see the expression on his face. “Do you like your job?”
The sudden change in topic leaves me fumbling. “Well, yes.”
When he turns to face me, his eyes are serious. “Are you paid well?”
“I—What?” I gape at him.
“Are you paid well?” he repeats. “I know you’re a rising talent in the industry. I just wanted to make sure that Ethan was paying you your worth.”
“Y-Yes,” I stammer, taken aback. “Thank you for your concern, though.”
He makes a gruff sound. “You’re a good kid. If Ethan is overworking you, you can tell me. I’ll pull his ears for you.”
The very image makes me snort out a laugh, and Roland looks pleased. “I used to do that when he was young. Ethan wasn’t a troublemaker, but Jake was. Your boss, though, was loyal to a fault. If Jake got in trouble, Ethan would go to the ends of the earth to cover for him. So they would always be punished together. I’ve pulled his ears plenty of times.”
Amused at the idea, I ask, “Are they close now? I joined his family for dinner a few weeks back, and he seems to be very reserved with them.”
“He’s always reserved,” Roland tells me. “Even as a boy, he was the quiet sort. But very intimidating when he wanted to be. He’s always been the oldest. Although I don’t think Harold or Helen put too much responsibility on his shoulders, he was always a responsible sort. Those siblings of his were wild. Ethan would be the one to rein them in. I doubt I’ve ever seen him laugh, though. Such a serious boy. You say you went to his home for dinner?”
At the curious glint in his eyes, I immediately raise my hands. “It was nothing like that. We were working late, and his mother invited me as well.”
“I see.” Roland makes a small sound. “He’s a good boy, but too serious for someone like you. You’d be better off with Jake.”
I nearly choke. “Excuse me?”
“Jake’s got a sense of humor. He’s good with women.” The older man’s expression changes. “Maybe he’s too good. Caleb might be younger, but he’s also quite successful. I always liked the boy?—”
“Mr. Blake.” I try to keep my cool. “I appreciate your efforts at matchmaking, but I’m not interested in anyone. I’m more focused on building my career at the moment.”
When his smile broadens, I feel even more bewildered. “Good. That is how it should be. You have all the time in the world for love. Right now, you should focus on yourself.”
“O-Okay.” I wonder what’s happening right now.
