“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“There are worse ways to wake up,” she said, as she poured the wine into two glasses. “Besides, I’m absolutely famished. I was so busy today I hardly ate a thing, and then I fell into bed exhausted.”
She handed one to him, then held up hers in a toast.
“Cheers.”
“Cheers,” he replied, tapping his glass against hers. “You know, you have sheet marks down one side of your face.”
She touched her cheek with her fingers. “Hmmm… attractive.”
He bit down on his lower lip to keep from laughing, his brown eyes sparkling. “It is actually. It’s very cute. I had no idea you were such an early bird.”
“What can I say? I’m no good at staying up late. I like to sleep.”
“I feel very much the same way. I love getting up early. It’s the best time of day to be outside doing things.”
“Oh, I don’t like getting up early either. I’m someone who likes sleep in general,” Charmaine said, sipping her wine slowly.
He chuckled. “Noted.”
“How did your grand opening go?”
“It was fantastic. We have bookings through the next two weeks. I think this is going to expand the business.”
She lowered herself into a chair. She wanted to lay her head on the table, but thought she should show at least some manners. After all, Bradford had already seen her with sheet face.
“Should we eat?” He asked.
She nodded, yawned wide.
He ladled laksa into two large bowls. The spicy soup was still hot and steam reached for the ceiling with winding tendrils.
“Thanks for being here,” she said.
He nodded. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
He laughed. “I hope you remember that.”
“I’m serious.”
“You deserve everything good.”
“I think I saw Sean earlier,” she said.
“What? Where?” Bradford’s face clouded over.
“After work. He ran past me. I’m sure it was him, unless I was imagining things. And there was a police officer who followed, seemed to be looking for him.”
“He’s on Coral Island? I thought he agreed not to come back. Did he see you?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Although I don’t think he knows I’ve moved.”
“I’m going to stay the night,” Bradford replied, his brows pressed low over his dark eyes. “I don’t trust that brother of yours. I know he’s family, but he’s trouble.”
“I won’t say no to that. He’s always been trouble. I used to make excuses for him, and when you grow up with something your whole life, you start to believe it’s normal. But now I know healthy, adult men who aren’t grifters, and I can see him clearly for what he is. He’s a criminal and a con man who only cares about himself.”
