My dad made me work my way up to prove myself. He demands excellence at the expense of anything and everything else, including a personal life.
Kaz says, “Lara’s design business has outgrown her LA office. She needs a space when she’s here, a place to stay and work, and I don’t want her in a hotel. Although she’ll be splitting her time between LA and New York, I want twenty-four-hour security, a doorman, amenities.”
“Many of my California clients have multiple homes and regularly travel between the two coasts. For a client of your discretion and need for privacy, I’ll make sure you get all that and more.”
“So I’m your first New York client?” Kaz says, chuckling. “You must have been losing a lot of money to make it worth the effort to get your license here.”
He’s right. I’m not doing this for fun, although I have a good time. “I was handing over millions to local co-listing agents.”
“My brother, Andrew, was flipping the fuck out at the losses,” Nick says.
Kaz nods. “You’re working with him, too?”
“Nobody manages my money better than the Christiansens,” I reply. Look, I could lie to get my friends more business, but fortunately, I don’t have to. I grew up with Nick, so he’s like a brother to me. I’m basically a third Christiansen son. They do manage my money, though, so no lies are being told today.
Christiansen Wealth Management already handles most of the band’s money as well, so we’re safe in our discussions.
Kaz stands and shakes my hand. “I have to run but send the paperwork over. You did us right in LA, so I trust you in New York.” While he shakes Nick’s hand, he adds, “Ultimately, it’s not me you have to please. Lara has a whole list of other things she needs to make it feel like a home. Take care of her.”
“I will. You never mentioned a budget, though,” I say.
“It’s only a part-time home, so I’d like to stay under ten mil.”
Got to love that celebrity money. “I can do that. Let her know I have some listings I can send. If any interest her, we’ll take a look.”
“Will do.” He takes a few steps around to the other side of the table to the exit.
Balancing on the back legs of his chair, Nick says, “Break a leg.”
“I’m not superstitious,” Kaz says, laughing. “You guys coming to the show?”
I was in LA at the time, but I heard it was a nightmare to score any tickets to The Resistance’s tour, so I say, “Sold out in under a minute.”
“I can leave tickets if you want.”
Nick’s eyes land on mine. “I’m in, and I know Natalie would love it.”
My beer glass is almost empty, tempting me to order another. With this meeting out of the way, we can just fuck off for the rest of the afternoon until the concert. “Count me in.”
“Going solo?” Kaz asks. “I can help you with the extra ticket, Decker, but not the date.”
They’re laughing a little too hard. I can dish it, but I can also take it. Chuckling, I reply, “You guys are real assholes, you know that?” I can find a date just fine.
“We do,” Nick replies through a chuckle.
Still laughing, Kaz finally starts walking away. “Tickets will be at Will Call.” He points at me. “I’m giving you two, Decker. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Thanks.” I finish my beer, then look at my friend. “I don’t have a date.”
One tap on the screen of my phone lights it up. When I start scrolling my black book of contacts, Nick asks, “What about that flight attendant you were seeing a few months back? Wasn’t she out of LaGuardia?”
“Talon got engaged to a pilot two weeks ago.” I search New York but don’t see any names that intrigue me.
“Damn, she was ready to settle down. Fitting name as well.”
“Scarily fitting. I dodged those claws.” Jenny Marie rings a bell. Good time. Summer. Bonfire. Decent in bed. “There’s a girl out in Jersey I went on a few dates with when she came out to audition for a pilot. Broadway actress looking to make it big in Hollywood.”
I get the receipt and my credit card back and sign.
“Why’d you only go on a few dates?” he asks.
Setting the pen down, I close the book and slide it to the middle of the table. “She liked the access to my client list more than she liked me.”
“Man, you’re dropping some honesty like you might have gotten your feelings hurt.”
“Nah. You know what it’s like out there. Everyone has stars in their eyes until they’re burned and jaded and head back to their hometown.”
“That’s why I’m in New York.”
Watching a leggy blonde cross the restaurant has me thinking this city isn’t so bad. “I thought you moved here because Natalie wanted to live in the city?”
“That too.” He leans forward, resting his arms on the table. Lowering his voice, he says, “I know you might not want to hear this, but you could always ask Tatum.”
“That ship has sailed, like four times over.”
“What is it with you two? You’re oil and water. Over what? A one-night stand that didn’t pan out to be more?” He finishes his beer and sets the glass down to spin it between his fingers. “That’s not how I saw things going after how you two spent the night in Catalina, but you fucked up. One text could have changed it from one night—”
“Evening, all night, and sunrise, but who’s counting . . .”
“Apparently, you are.”
“Natalie, actually, since she was the one locked out of her room all night while you two got it on.”
“The operative part of that sentence is ‘the one.’ That’s the same one you married. So, you’re welcome.” Considering three years have passed since the wedding, I doubt Tatum has thought much about me since Catalina, much less from the reception. Even though I’ve thought of her more than once or twice over that time. Nick’s smile makes me chuckle. “Damn, dude, you still have it that bad for your wife?”
“I’ll never get over how lucky I am.” Standing, he adds, “Now that my brother’s life is sorted, according to my mom, she’s turning her attention on you, so be careful, or you just might find yourself in my shoes.”
“Smiling like a loon in the middle of a restaurant? No, thank you. Cookie Christiansen may believe she’s a matchmaker, but fixing her sons’ lives was easy compared to the mess I’ve made of my love life.” I stand and walk around to his side of the table. “Anyway, just because you found your one and only doesn’t mean I have to fall for the same shenanigans.” Although, after looking at my black book, I can’t help wondering. Do I want more than one night as well?
Leading us out of the restaurant, I look up at the skyscrapers blocking the sunshine. “Do you ever get used to this? I’ve been here a day, and I miss the wide blue sky and the ocean.”
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Nick gazes upward. When he looks back at me, he says, “The pros outweigh the cons. Andrew and I can take you to the shore sometime. There’s surfing. Admittedly, the Atlantic isn’t the same as the Pacific, but it works when you need to be with the sea.”