Baxter stayed at the office waiting for a call from Jimmy. Between worrying about his friend and Ivy's lingering scent, his concentration was compromised. Danielle stepped into his office and sat down across from his desk. He looked up from the report he was struggling to wade through.

"Earth to Baxter."

"Did you need something?"

She chuckled. "I asked you if you need me to order some dinner."

He looked at the time, six-thirty. "Why are you still here?"

She frowned. "Waiting to see if you needed me."

"Sorry. Do you have plans?"

She shrugged. "Leftovers and watch something."

"Order dinner for two. I'm just waiting to see if Jimmy wants company."

"How was it really?"

Baxter frowned. "A nice service, but the family is struggling. Jimmy gave a moving speech."

"I can't imagine."

"I feel lucky my father recovered."

She nodded. "What do you want?"

"You pick. Surprise me."

By the time she returned, he had made it through the report. Danielle pulled lo mein noodle containers out of a brown paper bag. "Thanks. I'm hungry."

They ate in silence. Baxter kept pushing back thoughts about business. "How's Tate doing? I never see her."

"I thought you two were dating again."

Baxter laughed. "We haven't had to recently."

"She's okay. You know the jerk is married."

"Seriously? He went through with it?"

"It was a tough weekend. I hope she'll turn the corner."

He looked at his noodles. "Did her friends support her?"

Danielle's eyes bore into his head. "Do you mean Ivy?" He shrugged as she smiled. "Tate said she's too busy with Jimmy. Is she serious with him?"

Baxter trusted his friend. "No. Jimmy is being Jimmy."

"What does that mean?"

"This is confidential. Jimmy knows about Aspen and is trying to force me."

"I knew she had a crush on you over the summer."

Baxter frowned. "Did she call it a crush?"

"She tried denying she liked you."

She was still trying to deny how she felt. "But you didn't buy it?"

"No. Don't hurt her. Tate's worried about Jimmy crushing her, but I'm worried it will be you."

"My mother told her she wasn't suitable."

"Really?"

"It was a hypothetical conversation, but Amelia Kane and I don't see eye to eye on what I need."

Danielle exclaimed, "You like her!"

"I do. She agreed to a date. I want something special."

Danielle thought for a moment. "A trip to Aspen?"

"She won't go."

"I bet she's never seen a Broadway Play."

"Maybe. She has flown with Jimmy and Kasper. I would like a turn. New York could work. Jimmy would suggest Vegas."

Danielle shook her head. "She's not a Vegas girl."

Danielle took a piece of paper and started writing. "When is this date?"

"We didn't iron out a day."

She waved the paper. "I have ideas."

His phone buzzed. "Jimmy's heading home. He invited me to stop by in an hour. Maybe I'll go home and change." He could walk from Walnut to Chestnut Street. "Do you want a ride?"

"Thanks. Do you need help packing up?"

He shook his head. "I'll leave it. I'm not working tonight."

"You're a good friend. Tomorrow night is Kasper's show."

Baxter ran his fingers through his hair. "I forgot all about it."

"I know more about your family than you, and you live in the same house."

Baxter stood and put on his suit coat. "Ready?"

Danielle's apartment was on his way home, so MacIntyre drove her home first. As he drove up the hill, he looked in the rear-view mirror. "Are you in for the night?"

"No, I'm going to Sinclair's but I'll walk."

"I can drive you home."

Baxter laughed. "It's just around the corner, not even a five-minute walk."

As he entered his house, it was quiet. Not even Percy was around to greet him. As much as he wanted to change and go to see Jimmy, he searched out a family member.

The parlor was empty, but he saw a light coming from his mother's sitting room. He knocked lightly and waited to be invited in.

"Darling, how's our Jimmy?"

"Grieving. Are you home alone? I didn't see Percy."

"He's off tonight. Mrs. Moran is here if you need something. Your father is out with one of his cronies. I hope he doesn't come home wanting to rehash conversations about interest rates."

Baxter smiled. Amelia loathed talking about business. "Mother, you said I need a partner, but a woman who stifles talk of business isn't much of a support."

"What's with this talk? You are the one I count on to do what's right."

"I want to marry for love."

"You can have the right wife and love."

"Like you." His leveled response didn't match the sarcasm in his head. He cleared his throat. "I'm going to Sinclairs. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, darling. She's out there for you. Keep wearing the cross."

Baxter shook his head. He had stopped wearing it since the magic had already sparked. He should thank Jimmy for not sending him an escort. Leaves crunched under his feet as he walked around the corner. The doorbell reverberated through his chest when he pressed the button. Charles the Sinclairs' butler opened the door.

"Good evening, Mr. Kane. Mr. Sinclair is expecting you." He held out his hand waiting for Baxter to take off his coat.

"Thank you. I can find my way."

"Are you sure, sir?"

He nodded. "My nose will lead me to the scotch." The old man didn't crack a smile.

Jimmy appeared. "He won't do it. Not even to cheer me up."

"Sir, it's a sad day. I remember when Miss. Sarah married Mr. McManus."

Jimmy frowned as he poured Baxter a drink. "Aunt Sarah is lost without him. Shaun is staying to help."

"I know how much he meant to you." Baxter's words sounded trite. "A toast to your uncle."

Jimmy nodded and handed his friend a heavy crystal glass and lifted his own. "To Grant may you rest in peace." As he brought his glass down, he looked at his watch.

Baxter recognized it as a Piguet, although he wasn't a collector. "Do you have a date?"

Jimmy shook his head. "It was his. He wore it every day."

"And he left it to you?"

Jimmy smiled. "He left his son-in-law a fake."

Baxter smirked. "Does anyone know?"

Jimmy slowly shook his head. "Only me."

"And now me."

"I trust you. Ivy looked nice today."

Beautiful, not nice. "Did she?"

Jimmy smiled. "When did you become a liar?"

Baxter sipped his drink. "My mother reminds me every chance she gets about her expectations."

"It's not about your mother. We do a lot of things in our life because it's expected. Thankfully, we are both power hungry sons of bitches with business. We need to decide our own happiness. My parents need to accept that they may never have a grandchild. Maybe Tansy will have a head for business."

"The little girl?"

Jimmy smiled as he nodded. "I can teach her to be a tough ass. Maybe she inherited some bastard."

Baxter laughed. "I expected to drink you under the table tonight."

Jimmy frowned. "It's unbelievable. I talked to him in the morning and he was gone by evening. I'm trying to be strong for Sarah."

Baxter thought his friend might break down. He's only ever seen him distraught once before. "I wish I knew what to say."

"Don't say. Do."

"What? Anything."

"Don't waste time. Go after what you want before it's too late. Do you think Sarah cared that Grant wasn't wealthy? She loved him and he proved to be a better man than so many wealthy ones." Baxter shook his head. "Damn it, no excuses!"

"My..."

"Stand up to your parents. If you don't love her, tell her and set her free. If you do, seize the time, because fate is fucking ugly."

"And you're content to be alone."

Jimmy frowned. "We're not talking about me."

Baxter frowned. "It's been over ten years."

Jimmy stood up. "I don't want to talk about it."

Baxter knew not to push his friend. "Another drink?"

"Okay. Pour before Charles with his bionic ears comes to do it for you."

Baxter went to the cart. "Remember the hours we spent trying to get him to smile."

"I'm still trying. I told him earlier he should honor my request since my uncle died. He claimed it wouldn't be proper while mourning."

"That sounds like him." He handed a glass to Jimmy.

"I need to be with my family before I socialize, but Ivy and I haven't been in public together since the ballet. The next invitation I accept will be with another date. Then she'll be yours."

"Mine. She doesn't want to see me."

Jimmy sipped. "Only because her heart is involved. I couldn't win her heart if I wanted to. She's given it to you."

Baxter knew his words were true. The truth he tried to ignore was he wanted her heart. If only he wouldn't shatter it.

The friends drank silently until Jimmy announced he was tired. Baxter walked home worried about his friend. He walked down the sidewalk as the car pulled to the curb. It was late for his father to be out with his old friend.

"Baxter. Why are you walking the streets at night?"

"I was with Jimmy."

"How is he, son?"

They entered the house together. "As well as expected."

His father's attired surprised Baxter. His knit sweater and casual trousers were unusual. Whenever he went out in public, the older man wore a suit.

"Mother said you went out with one of your cronies."

"I did. I'm looking forward to our next board meeting."

Baxter gulped. "Me too." He wasn't ready at all.

"Goodnight."

Baxter watched his father walk up the stairs. He looked healthier and happier since his heart attack. Poor Jimmy.

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