“But what if that’s what he needs to do?”
“How can it be? He loves it so much.”
“It’s not like he’ll totally give it up. Mila didn’t mean for him to do that. But he’s been obsessing over it since his dad died. After you left she came back in and talked to us about what she said to him outside.”
“I thought she didn’t want you guys to know.”
“She just didn’t want to say it to him in front of everyone. She believes you two are meant for each other, that you were supposed to show up. He needed you.”
She slowly extricated herself and blew her nose. “But he defended his job while we sat there at the Raccoon, then he changed his mind less than an hour later, right after we had great sex. How can I trust that?”
“What if I told you it’s happened to me?”
“When?”
“Quite recently. It’s why I quit my job.”
“Are you involved with someone?”
“Not anymore.”
Great. Now her brother wasn’t making sense, either. “Come sit.” She tugged him over to the bench. “Tell me.”
“I was seeing someone. It wasn’t a love match but the sex was good. Not like your deal, where you have good sex and love.”
“You make it sound so simple. It’s not. Anyway, go on.”
“Last week we had this terrific time and ironically, right afterward I knew we had to break up and I had to quit my job. Neither one gave me what I really needed.”
“Did you tell her while you were still in bed together?”
“Luis did that?”
“Yes.”
Cole pressed his lips together, but he looked more amused than upset. “Well, we all make mistakes. I didn’t do that, but I can see why he might get carried away. He knows you love him and he wants to close the deal. I was the opposite. I wanted to break up.”
“Yeah, way different.” She swallowed. “Are you saying that Luis’s change of heart might be legit?”
“It might. Mila’s bond with him is like yours and mine. She can tell he’s in love with you and she thinks you’re the best thing that could happen to him.”
“What about you? What do you think?”
“I like the guy so far, but I just got here, sis. I like his family, too, what I’ve seen of them. Bottom line, I don’t feel qualified to advise you.”
She nodded. “That’s fair.”
“I told him you’d be in touch. He said you could call or text. But you don’t have to rush into a decision one way or the other. We can both bunk in here. I’ll take the foldout.”
And he would, no matter how much she argued with him or how uncomfortable he’d be. She could hide out here with her big brother for as long as she needed to. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. Funny how things work out. It’s almost like I was supposed to connect with you this weekend.”
“Do you believe in this Fate stuff?”
“I didn’t think I did. But after several months of not seeing you, here I am during a consequential time in your life.”
“That’s no mystery. You heard about the book signing and thought of me.”
