“I haven’t seen you much lately.”
“I’ve been busy. Sean moved in with me. Well, he says he’s only visiting, but he’s been living with me for weeks.”
“Sean?” Bea’s eyebrows flew up. “The brother you were hiding from? The one you said you were afraid to see?”
“Did I say that?” Charmaine crossed her arms over her chest. She knew she should’ve kept her private life to herself. It made her uncomfortable to know Bea had seen her vulnerability that way. Vulnerability always led to questions, and questions led to more opening up and before she knew it, she might be laid bare. The thought made her quiver inside.
“I don’t know if you used those exact words, but it was implied.” Bea looked concerned.
“Everything’s fine. Sean needed a place to stay and I don’t exactly have room, but he’s crashing on my couch. I doubt he’ll stick around. Coral Island isn’t lively enough to keep him occupied for long.”
“But you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m okay. I was wrong about him. I misinterpreted some things. But he’s explained everything to me… well, he’sbegunexplaining things to me, and I can see that I’ve jumped to some conclusions I shouldn’t have. He’s my brother so I have to give him a chance. Right? You’d give your brother a chance, wouldn’t you?”
Charmaine glanced up at Bradford as she spoke the words, and her stomach tightened. Ever since she’d met him on the dock while he was fishing with his father and Bea’s husband, Aidan, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. He wasn’t her type, not at all. She wasn’t sure if she had a type, but if she did, it would probably be a man who was bookish and pale, like her. But Bradford wasn’t either of those things. He was outdoorsy. Tall, broad-shouldered, and outgoing. She wasn’t sure she could work up the courage to speak to him again, let alone spend time with him. She’d be better off if she could put him out of her mind. Although, being in a book club together was going to make that infinitely more difficult. She’d never have guessed he was a reader.
“I suppose you’re right. I would give Brad another chance — he’s my brother, and I love him.”
“I love Sean too. We’ve been through a lot together.”
“I’m glad you found each other. At least you know he’s fine now.” Bea offered her a look of compassion.
“Even though I was angry with him, there was this knot in my belly all the time when I thought about him. I didn’t know if he was still alive. There’s a sense of relief in knowing that he’s here on the island with me, even if he is a pig to live with.”
Bea snorted. “Aren’t most brothers?”
Charmaine found herself laughing, her anxiety forgotten. “I don’t know. I only have the one.”
“Bradford isn’t a good example, since he’s a complete neat freak. But I don’t think Sean is unusual in that regard. You seem happier, so that’s a good thing.”
“I am happier.”
“Do you ladies mind if I join you?” Bradford appeared at Charmaine’s side and pulled up a chair to sit between them.
“Not at all, Brad. I’m going to grab myself another drink. Chaz, can I get you anything?”
Charmaine still nursed her glass of punch. “No, thank you. Hi, Bradford.” Her voice was soft.
“It’s nice to see you again. Do you prefer Chaz or Charmaine?”
“I answer to either,” she said. “But most people call me Chaz.”
“You can call me Brad. I’m only Bradford when I’m in trouble.”
“I can’t imagine you’d ever be in trouble.”
His eyes sparkled. “No, definitely not. I’ve always been perfectly well behaved. Didn’t Bea tell you?”
Her pulse raced, and she felt a cold sweat break out across her forehead. The silence between them deepened.
Brad came to his feet with a grunt. “My drink’s empty. It was nice to see you again.”
As he wandered away, Charmaine resisted the urge to slap her forehead. He’d no doubt found her boring because she’d hardly said a word. Why didn’t she say more? He was flirting with her and she’d clammed up, the way she always did. It was as though someone had stolen her tongue. Never mind—it was probably for the best. They could hardly have a relationship if she wasn’t able to utter more than a few inane words in his presence.
He’d be better off with someone else, maybe Evie or her sister, after all he had to be at least ten years older than Charmaine, since he was Bea’s younger brother. Charmaine was only twenty-six, which made Bea twenty years older than her. Perhaps Bradford was around forty. Not that it bothered Charmaine, to her age was only a number. But it did make him more suited to someone like Evie. And as far as Charmaine knew, they’d been friends forever. A relationship like that made sense.
The twins were beautiful, sophisticated, and currently engaged in two different, loud conversations with people she’d never met and probably never would meet because she couldn’t bring herself to step outside her shell. Bradford was outgoing and warm, he’d suit one of them perfectly. She was mousy and awkward, found conversation difficult until she got to know someone well. How could she ever think he might be interested in someone like her?
