She lets out a low growl.

I turn to Gavin. “I didn’t know you guys were friends. You should’ve invited me along. Jessie and I go way back.”

Gavin’s eyebrows lower, and I can tell he’s trying to work out what’s going on. I see it the second he decides that I’m here to keep him from making a mistake he’ll regret. Like he said, I don’t have friends.

“I thought you were in the throes of fixing some crisis in Shanghai.” He turns to Jessie and smiles his suave grin. “My brother here has been known to miss two, three meals in a row. He forgets to eat when he’s in the middle of work. Remember that week in Tokyo? I went out to the…uh…to have some…uh…” He gives a side-look at Jessie and realizes what he did in Tokyo isn’t fit for polite company. “I, uh, when I got back Will was nearly passed out on his desk. The idiot hadn’t eaten or slept in nearly 48 hours. That Tokyo deal was hell for Will.”

I grab a piece of warm focaccia and dip it in the olive oil, avoiding the searching look Jessie’s sending my way.

“Right, Will?” asks Gavin.

“Mhmm.” I shove the bread in my mouth and let the flavor of rosemary and parmesan spread over my tongue. Really good.

“That was when we were 17. Will was still trying to dig Williams and Williams out from under its mountain of debt, get his degree, and prove to our father that he was—”

“Have some focaccia,” I say to Jessie. I hold the plate out to her. “It’s delicious.”

“No thanks.” She gives me a tight smile. “You were saying,” she asks Gavin.

I shake my head at Gavin, but as usual, he ignores subtle hints. Instead he focuses on the encouraging smile that Jessie gives him. He doesn’t want her, not really. I know my brother and I can tell he loves Lacey. He isn’t interested in Jessie. Thank God. Unfortunately, that fact isn’t as clear to Jessie. She’s still trying her darnedest to make Gavin see her as his true love. I scowl. Not happening.

“Right. What was I saying? I guess just that Will’s lucky he has me. Because otherwise he wouldn’t eat, or have conversations that don’t involve business acronyms, or get out and have fun.”

“He’s definitely lucky to have you then.” Jessie gives Gavin a sugary sweet smile. I catch her eyes and raise an eyebrow.

Gavin turns his attention to the wine, pouring himself another glass.

Jessie takes advantage of his inattention.

“Leave,” she hisses at me.

“You look beautiful,” I whisper back.

Her cheeks flush pink. “Go away,” she whispers.

“What did you say?” Gavin asks.