Free Redemption in Love (Hearts on the Line) by Nadia Lee Page A

marriage.
    “Or…maybe if you did something to kill her love.”
    Gavin swallowed hard. Had he done that?
    “But I’m sure you never would. And even if something were to happen…” Pete glared at his noodles. “I think we should be able to separate our personal and professional lives.”
    “I see.”
    “Don’t you?”
    Pete’s intense gaze bore down on Gavin. He smiled inwardly. Did his brother-in-law have any idea how obvious he was? “Of course.” Gavin finished the last bit of meat from his plate. “Thanks for dinner.”
    * * *
     
    Pete dumped the trash in the big bin in the kitchen—no need to stink up the entire floor—and went to an empty private call space and shut the door. It was a small room, just enough for a tiny functional desk and a chair. A phone, a few pens and a cream memo pad with a discreet, embossed OWM for Omega Wealth Management on it were the only other items.
    What the hell had that been about?
    As far as Pete knew, his sister had a great marriage. Gavin showered her with luxury and extravagance, the kind of things women all dreamed of but rarely got in real life. People at the office had started a betting pool on what Gavin would get her for their anniversary. No one had guessed a private jet, which made the pot swell for the next round.
    So why in the world had Gavin acted like he wanted to test Pete’s loyalty?
    Leaning against the desk, Pete pulled out his phone and dialed Amandine.
    “Hello?”
    “Amandine.”
    “Hey, Pete.” Her voice was sleepy but warm as usual, and he took a big breath. It didn’t sound like anything was wrong.
    “You…Uh…” He shifted. He’d called her out of sheer panic, but now that everything seemed okay, he didn’t know what to say. “Are you going to divorce your husband?” was random and inappropriate.
    “Yes?”
    “Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice and see how you were doing. We haven’t talked in a while.”
    “Pete, it’s almost midnight. You’re working too much.”
    Was that disapproval in her voice? “I know. I’ll try to make some time to see you this weekend or the next.”
    “I’d like that.”
    “You…uh…going to bring Brooke too?”
    “Doubtful. I don’t think she’ll be working as my assistant much longer.”
    The world seemed to freeze for a moment. “Well that’s a shocker. She’s quitting?”
    “Not exactly. It’s kind of complicated.”
    Aw, shit. He hated it whenever women said, “It’s complicated.” It’d be easier to resurrect the dead than to figure out what made something “complicated” for women.
    “Maybe we can talk about it in person later,” Amandine said.
    “Okay.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll text you with a date and time.”
    “Great. Love you.”
    “Love you, too. Good night.”
    Pete put his phone back in his pocket and sighed. See? He’d been worried for nothing. Gavin had been testing him, and he’d said the right thing.
    But why was Brooke quitting? It better not be because she and Amandine were having issues. He’d adored Brooke since high school. His feelings for her hadn’t subsided even after all those years, but Brooke had never seen him as anything more than her best friend’s little brother. Sadly for him he’d never had anything going for him to make her see him as a man.
    Things were different now though. He was older, with a stellar career, money and more confidence. His plans were coming together. All he needed was a little bit more time to make sure everything was ready…but he had to make sure. He knew he’d only get one shot at convincing Brooke.
    Whatever situation was brewing between Amandine and Brooke, it had better not ruin his plans to get the woman of his dreams.
    * * *
     
    Gavin didn’t get home until after midnight. Poor Thomas. Gavin made a mental note to call for a limo service next time and let his driver go home early. Otherwise Thomas would never get to see his children grow up.
    There was still only one light on at home.