“I’m always shocked to see you so light-hearted and laughing,” Jason said. “Sorry. It’s just so different from the man you were.”

Gabe’s eyes lit with pleasure. “Look what I have in my life to make me smile.” He glanced toward where Isabelle had taken his son. “You’ll see yourself one day.”

“Oh, no,” Jason automatically said. “My life is full enough.”

“Until you meet the right woman.”

Jason’s thoughts immediately went to the gorgeous, shapely blonde with a good sense of humor and the ability to charm him. “Hey, I brought you some candy,” he said to Gabe, lifting the basket. “A … friend gave it to me.”

“Is this friend the reason you’re running late?” Gabe asked, a wry smile on his face.

Jason winced. “She ran into tire trouble.” He didn’t mention that he’d just met Faith when he saw her on the side of the street kicking her van. He recalled that moment with an amused smile.

“I’ll take that grin as a yes. So who is she?”

Jason chuckled, then decided to confide in his cousin, after all. “I met her tonight. She had some issues and I helped out. She has a candy shop near the club.”

“So you decided to be a Good Samaritan.”

He nodded.

“And she thanked you with treats. That you like, a lot.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Can we discuss business?”

Grinning, Gabe gestured into the apartment, and Jason followed him through the huge open design and into his private office, where they settled into wingback chairs. “Drink?” Gabe offered.

Jason shook his head. He wasn’t a big drinker. Not since that night. “No, thank you.”

“So what’s going on?” Gabe had been Jason’s mentor since he’d finished college and decided to stay in New York with his now-partners. He’d helped him find an apartment and funded his venture, Club TEN29, named after the date Levi died. A date the men would never forget.

“Now what did you want to discuss about the future of your club?” Gabe leaned back in his chair and met Jason’s gaze.

“I came here to ask for ideas, but when I was talking to Faith earlier…”

“The candy girl?”

Jason laughed. “Yes. She mentioned wanting to stand out in her area of business and dominate, and I realized that’s what we needed to do and an idea came to me on how. We should expand Club TEN29, utilize our stage, and upgrade our acoustics. Then we bring in live talent. I want a Miami vibe in New York.” His excitement grew as he explained. “I don’t expect big names off the bat, but I know we can get solid people. I can hit up Avery’s husband, the rock star, for help.” Jason had also dated Charlotte Jasper, another recording artist he’d met through his half brother-in-law. He could ask her to perform.

“All of which would require funding.” Gabe steepled his fingers in thought.

Jason nodded. Gabe had his hands in various businesses and had the money to lend should he deem it a worthwhile investment.