A band tightened around his chest. He didn’t deserve someone so good. “I owe you, big time. I think my blood pressure’s already dropped.”
Her hand squeezed his arm. “You’re gonna be fine. It’s like riding a bike. You need to get out and have fun with your friends again. And with Carina. This way, no one will know I’m helping you.”
“What about you? Are you still nervous about gambling?”
“I’m only nervous about fitting in,” she said, from the corner of her mouth.
“Branson! Jarrett’s here.” Carina’s call cut through the ambient noise. “We’re all waiting on you and Stephanie.” Something about her voice was already getting on his nerves. It was going to be a long twenty-four hours. And a long three years after the wedding.
Since she hadn’t muted her microphone, Branson got to hear Stephanie’s exclamation when she opened the door to her suite. Of course, she shouted so loudly, the other four heard it as well. “Jiminy Cricket! This place is amazing! There’s a swimming pool in my living room.”
Carina made a sarcastic remark about her lack of sophistication, but it didn’t dampen Steph’s enthusiasm.
Branson’s room was sandwiched between Stephanie and Finn. Carina had made a point of demanding her own room, which was fine with Bran. In fact, he had no plans to share a bedroom or bathroom with Carina, even after marriage. Certain things had to remain private, and those things would be impossible to hide in close quarters. In particular, he hadn’t let anyone see him without his prosthetic eyes since his teen years. Carina would undoubtedly run screaming at the sight, and the marriage plans would disintegrate, along with his opportunity to control Parker-Aston Pharmaceuticals.
Inside his room, Bran made a methodical examination, to learn the location of the furniture and fixtures in the living area and bedroom. He normally had excellent spatial recall, though he was somewhat out of practice. In his early-to-mid twenties, when he traveled frequently, he could navigate a room flawlessly after a sixty-second inspection. Now, he had to circle the room twice and backtrack, as well, before he felt comfortable.
Lunch time had been moved up, thanks to his suggestion that they attend a matinee. What was I thinking? But he knew the answer. He didn’t want Steph to visit Finn in New York. No matter how much devotion Stephanie displayed, Bran knew she could be enticed away from him, especially by someone like Finn. Not that Finn would ever do such a thing on purpose. But Finn had everything Bran had—money—and all the things he didn’t—good looks, confidence, charm, and quick wit, in addition to sight. What’s more, Branson could never stand in the way of their happiness if they were to fall in love. That’s why he had to prevent it from happening.
Unpacking his suitcase, he ran his fingers across the small Braille labels Stephanie had used to organize his pants and shirts so he could dress without her aid. He’d have preferred having her come in and lay out his clothes, as she did at home, but she insisted Carina wouldn’t be pleased to discover them in his room together.
He’d changed clothes and splashed some water on his face, when Finn rapped on his door. “Hurry up, Bran. We’ve got a lunch reservation in ten minutes.”
He took a deep breath and opened the door. “I don’t hear anyone else out here.”
“Cole and Jarrett went down to arrange a limo. We don’t have time to walk to the restaurant.”
“What about Steph?”
He heard the sound of a door opening as Steph’s voice sounded in his ear. “I’m ready. Do I look okay?”
Finn whistled. “You look amazing, with a capital A.”
Bran fumed, wishing he could compliment her, as well.
“Bran bought this dress for me,” said Steph. “In fact, he bought every outfit I packed in my suitcase.”
“It’s not the dress that looks amazing. It’s what’s in it.” Finn’s voice grew louder in Bran’s receiver, as if his mouth was close to Steph’s microphone. Is he planning to kiss her? Right here in front of me?
A door rattled across the hallway. “I hate being rushed,” Carina announced. “I barely had time to change clothes, much less fix my makeup. I look atrocious.”
“I think you look amazing,” Bran said, adding a wink to show he was teasing. “With a capital A.”
Carina gave a haughty laugh. “Bran, your opinion isn’t worth anything. What do you think, Finn?”
Bran felt like he’d been slapped in the face. He and Carina often jested in this manner, despite his lack of vision. He usually complimented her on the scent she was wearing or the softness of her skin, while throwing in a quip about how he’d never seen a more gorgeous woman. She’d never been so insulting in the past.
With a knot in his stomach, he realized their relationship was going to require a lot of work to make it last for three years. Though they agreed to marry for business reasons, they had to at least get along, or she would leave him anyway. Up until now, she’d always acted as if she were attracted to him, despite his appearance. But perhaps her attitude had been merely that… an act. He couldn’t fault her for it, since he was guilty of the same.
Finn responded with what Bran recognized as a sidestepping accolade. “You’ve seen yourself in the mirror, Carina. You don’t need me to tell you how beautiful you are.
Carina cooed a thank you, apparently unaware of the slight.
“Let’s go. They’re waiting for us.” Finn moved down the hallway in the direction Branson remembered the elevator being. Bran counted his steps so he could easily find his room on his own if he returned by himself. On the ride down, Stephanie chatted about how nice her room was and the incredible view from her balcony, thanking Bran profusely.
“I’m glad you like it.” Bran basked in her appreciation.
“Of course, Finn paid for Stephanie’s room,” Carina sniped. “No reason you should be taking credit, Branson.”