people were in the dining room and kitchen and some had even spilled into the living spaces of the suites, as he’d left those doors opened. He bumped into someone. “Happy Birthday, Finn.”
“Hey, Millie. Thanks.” The manager of Fitzgerald’s, his bookstore, was young for the position but she’d been with him from the beginning. In that eight years, she’d worked her way through a college degree in literature and a Masters’ Degree in business and became…invaluable to the business. Sometimes, that bothered him. “Are you having a good time?”
“I am. Everybody from the store came, and we’re having fun. Are you?”
“It’s fine being thirty-five.” He cocked his head and for some reason added, “You’re a baby in comparison.”
Her face heated. He noticed she had eye goop on and her cheeks were rosy. “Got it. You’re ancient. I have no idea why you’d let me manage your store.”
“You’re doing a great job.”
“For someone so young.”
She stared at him for a few seconds, shook her head, and started away. “Have a good night, Mr. Casella.”
“Not so fast.” He pulled her back by the sleeve of the glittery top she wore with sexy palazzo pants. Hayley had called the style.
“I offended you. I’m sorry.”
“I hate it when you say things like that to me.”
“About being young?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll stop.”
She shrugged a shoulder. “Good. Again, Happy Birthday.”
He watched her walk away, a feeling of…something close to loss in his gut. Hmm, he wondered what that was about.
* * *
Seth practically swallowed his tongue when Julianne walked into the apartment with Alessia. The two women had been best friends while he and Jules dated but lost touch afterward. But during the burglary thing, they seemed to get closer. Which still didn’t explain why she’d come to his party in New York. Last week, she said she didn’t want to see him anymore.
Rafe, his oldest brother placed his hand on Seth’s shoulder from behind. “Hey, look, Julianne’s here.”
“I have no idea why. I didn’t even know she was even invited.”
“Ali gave her name to Hayley.”
He couldn’t stop staring at her.
“You got it bad, Seth.”
He snapped, “Christ, I’m doing the best I can.”
Rafe wrapped his arm around Seth’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean anything mean by that.”
“Sorry, I’m sensitive about her. Gideon and I had a long talk about that the other day.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s a good listener when he wants to be.”
“I know. Did it help?”
“Yep.”
Kate joined them and slid her arm through Rafe’s. Now, six months pregnant she glowed in a white lacy dress that accented her round baby bump. “Happy Birthday, Seth.” She kissed his cheek.
“Thanks.” His gaze dropped to her stomach. “Is she moving?”
“Uh-huh.”
The idea delighted him. “Can I touch her?”
“Sure, but you might not feel it.”
He put his hand her stomach. Kate grasped his wrist and pressed it in. He waited. “Oh, my God. She kicked.”
“She does that all the time.”
When he drew back, he swallowed hard. “I want what you guys have.”
“We want that for you too.” Rafe’s gaze strayed across the room. “Why don’t you go talk to her?”
“Yeah, I think I will.”
Embarrassed by his show of raw emotion, Seth headed for Julianne. She and Ali had moved to the kitchen near Finn’s suite. As he got closer, he saw she’d curled her hair and wore a purple dress he’d never seen before. It clung to her. And had little cutouts all across the top and down her arms. “Hi, you two.”
Ali hugged him. “Happy Birthday, little brother.” Then she squeezed Julianne’s arm and walked away.
Julianne surprised him and leaned over and kissed his cheek, too. Her sexy scent wafted through him. “Happy birthday, Seth.”
“Thanks.” He wouldn’t dissemble with her. Even when he cheated, he never lied about it if she found out. “I’m surprised you’re here.”
“Ali and I are spending time together again. She asked me to come.”
“I see.” Fuck, how could that stupid comment hurt so much?
Julianne looked around. For an escape? “Come into Finn’s sitting area with me for a minute?”
That wasn’t what he expected.
They went inside Finn’s suite and she closed the door. She faced him squarely. “I came because I wanted to, Seth.” She moved in closer. “I wanted to be here for your birthday.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Are you staying in town?”
“Yes. But we’re leaving early tomorrow. Ali has to get back for her kids.” She shrugged. “We were supposed to stay and trek around the city streets but her mother-in-law called and said Petey wasn’t doing well.”
“Are you at the Hyatt next door?”
“Uh-huh.”
“They put the family