Return To Sender (The Hart Brothers #2) - J. S. Cooper Page 0,11
was still alive, was he? I wanted to put the phone back in my handbag. I wanted to ignore him and let him sweat. Let him feel how angry I was. Maybe my feelings would drift through the air to him as if through osmosis.
“That’s not osmosis,” I chided myself under my breath. But then I smiled, not because I was happy but because Wade had texted me. He hadn’t forgotten me. He wasn’t ignoring me. He had thought about me and he had texted me. That had to mean something, right?
I knew what Lucy would say. I knew what I would say if it were Lucy in my position and I was giving her advice. I’d tell her that one simple text meant nothing. Actions spoke louder than idle texts. But, of course, that didn’t stop the butterflies or the hope that surged through me. He’d texted and even though I was still pissed as hell at him, I was now feeling just a little bit less anxious. I would let him wait until I was ready to respond.
I had the patience of a flea though, and before I could stop myself, my fingers were flying across the keyboard.
“I’m hanging out. What’s up?” Did that sound cool, calm, and collected? Did it sound like I couldn’t care less that he had left me the morning after taking my virginity? Did it sound as though I didn’t think he was a pig?
“Hanging out?” His reply text came back right away. “With whom and where?”
I stared at his response and smiled to myself. Yeah, I think I’ll let you wait for a further response from me, Wade Hart. I followed Gordon into the house and ignored the twinge of guilt that I felt. This wasn’t my house and I hadn’t even asked Wade if I could have people over. I didn’t think Gordon would trash the place or anything, but it almost felt like I was invading Wade’s privacy by letting other people inside.
“This place is absolutely amazing.” Gordon walked down the hallway, his fingers grazing the wall. “Man, everything must have cost so much money. I wonder how much Wade is worth?”
“I have no idea. I would assume he’s a millionaire, though.”
“I bet he’s a billionaire.” Gordon murmured. “I bet he’s the richest man in Herne Hill Village. I wonder if he has a safe in here.”
“Why?” Nerves hit my stomach again.
“Just curious. I bet he does have a safe hidden in here somewhere with millions of dollars in cash. And I bet he has a secret hiding spot, one of those panic rooms.”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t told me about either of those things.”
“What would you do if you had a million dollars?” he asked me as he stopped to stare at what I believed to be an original Rembrandt painting.
“If I had a million dollars, I’d buy a house and a car and go on vacation.” I paused for a few seconds. “Though, I’m not sure a million dollars would buy me a house in Manhattan. I’d have to move to New Jersey or something.”
“Or you could come upstate.” He grinned. “You could move to Westchester.”
“That sounds like my worst nightmare.” I laughed. “So okay, maybe I won’t buy a house. Maybe I’ll buy a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn for me and my best friend to live in.”
“That sounds nice.”
I turned towards the library, Gordon following closely behind me. “What would you do if you had a million dollars?” I asked over my shoulder.
“I’ve thought about that often.” His voice was soft now. “I think I’d invest in some decent camera equipment and make a film.”
“Oh, yeah? My friend Lucy wants to make films as well.” I looked back at him. “I thought you wanted to act.”
“I do.” He grinned. “But I want to do it all. I want to write, act, direct, produce, edit. I want to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, a Nobel Peace Prize.” He laughed. “I want everyone in the world to know my name and to love my work.”
“I know you can do it. You can do anything you set your mind to. Plus you have the talent. You’re definitely going to be a star one day, Gordon.”
“Thanks! All I need is the money now.” He sounded wistful. “Did I ever tell you that my dad was rich?”
“No, that’s awesome. Wouldn’t he lend you some money or back you?”
“No.” He sounded bitter. “As far as he’s concerned, I don’t even exist.”