“Desolate and quiet. I actually welcome the change of pace after the craziness of the summer. My friends keep me busy and engaged, but I like coming back to my quiet lighthouse.”

“I wondered about you,” Jared said, glancing at the photo of Toby on the bedside table. “I didn’t know you well in school, but I knew Toby was engaged, and I wondered what had become of you.”

“Nothing worth writing home about. It’s been a very long and difficult journey.”

“Toby and I were acquaintances more than friends, and his death hit me very hard, so I can’t begin to know what it must’ve been like for you.”

“Did you know anyone else who died that day?”

“A couple of people I knew through work. Even all these years later, sometimes it’s hard to believe that it actually happened. It was so surreal, and New York afterward was such a different place for a very long time.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it. The first year is a bit of a blur for me. I was home in North Carolina for most of it.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to dredge up unhappy memories.”

“It’s fine. It’s easier to talk about than it used to be, and I always enjoy meeting people who remember Toby fondly.”

“He was an awesome guy. I enjoyed him very much.”

“Me, too.” Mindful of the fact that Alex would be arriving soon and wouldn’t appreciate finding Jared in her bedroom, she led the way downstairs and offered him a cold drink.

“I’d love some water.”

“Coming right up.” She fixed glasses of ice water for both of them and joined him on the sofa. “So you said you were taking some time off this summer?”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the icy glass. “Very bad and very unexpected breakup.”

“I’m sorry.” She looked over at him. “If you want to talk about it, I’m a pretty good listener.” The poor guy looked like he could use a friend. She no sooner had that thought when she chuckled to herself at the characterization of Jared James the billionaire being a poor anything. But even billionaires could get their hearts broken.

“It’s pretty simple, actually. She couldn’t handle the money or the lifestyle that goes along with it.”

As his words registered, Jenny stared at him. “She couldn’t handle the money.”

“That’s what she said when I proposed and she turned me down.”

“Wow.” Jenny blew out a deep breath.

“I knew she could be a bit squirrely about the luxury, the gifts, the benefits, the largeness of my life, but I thought she loved me enough to get past all that. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to figure out a way to get rid of all the money.”