I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he was the reason I’d been down. I had no right to take a dump on his sunshine either. My little brother was one of the best guys I knew. Genuine, caring, funny, protective. He was also still in his twenties, and he’d recently found the love of his life, and it was all he could fucking talk about. Gideon this, Gideon that.

I didn’t begrudge them for a second. They deserved every ounce of joy. I just… Fuck it. It was evidently not in the cards for me to get something similar for myself.

Gideon had already reached out to me for advice on what to give Nicky for his twenty-eighth birthday.

When I turned forty-three a couple weeks ago, I’d had dinner with my family and topped the evening off with a breakup.

Cazzo, I’d turned into a bitter bastard.

I blew out a breath and got in my truck but didn’t close the door.

Nicky’s eyes flashed with concern and curiosity.

“You know I’m happy for you, bambino,” I stated quietly.

He nodded hesitantly. “You miss that fucking loser, don’t you?”

That one gave me a laugh. That Nicky detested my ex had always been clear as day. And no, I didn’t miss Shawn at all.

I shook my head and smiled faintly. “I don’t miss him. But I am lonely.” It stung to admit it out loud. “I just need some time to regroup, that’s all.”

“I get it.” Nicky nodded again. “But so you know, being down in the dumps has turned you blind. You don’t see the men eyeing you.”

I gave him a wry look. I didn’t need my kid brother to play matchmaker.

“I’m serious,” he claimed. “I think that’s why our parents were blessed with two gay sons, so that I can use my gaydar to find your next—”

“Okay, that’s enough,” I chuckled at his ridiculousness and started the engine.

Nicky backed away and smirked. “Made you laugh.”

“Mm.” I withheld a snort and buckled my seat belt. “I’mma head home. Good luck with the house hunting.”

“Thanks. See you tomorrow, big brother.”

I inclined my head and shut the door, then backed out of my spot.

Of-fucking-course the elevator had to be broken today, too. On the other hand, the rickety old thing usually was. But dammit, maintenance had fixed it just last week. I’d hoped to have a few more weeks before something went wrong again.

I trudged up the stairs to the third and top floor, my mood getting so sour that not even I wanted to be near me.