Amy gives me a sympathetic smile. “Me, too. I was so desperate for love, and I was determined to find it. We’re the kind of people who want to fall in love and build a life around it. There’s nothing wrong with that, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.” As the words leave her mouth, Buddy comes bounding into the room, dragging his leash behind him.
I kneel down, greeting him with a laugh and smile. “You’re right.” I look up at Amy, who’s grinning at the two of us. “But I still owe Parker an apology. I never meant to go behind his back about any of it, you know? That wasn’t my intention.”
Amy dismisses it with a wave of her hand. “He’ll get over it. Brittany is a grown woman who’s already lived a lot of life. Who she chooses to love is her choice.”
“Well, I don’t think she loves me.” I let out a dry laugh, trying to mask the way that statement burns deep in my chest.
Amy shrugs. “You never know.”
“I guess I’ll just be here … and see what happens.”
Chapter Thirty
Brittany
I breathe out a long, deep sigh as I pull into the full driveway of the towering Hampton beach house.This is nice.I take in the ivory walls and bright blue shutters.
I’m so happy to be here, but I’mnothappy that I’m late.
I glance nervously at the house, knowing Weston is probably inside. I haven’t written him back, but I know I have to tell him that I can’t stop thinking about the kiss, the letters, andhim.
And then I’ll have to deal with my brother.
I cut the engine and push open the car door to climb out. The ocean breeze immediately hits my face in the best way, and for a moment, I close my eyes and just enjoy the salt in the air.
“Hey!” Amy’s voice rings out louder than the ocean waves. It’s bright and sunshine-y, like the weather outside.
I give her a wave as she walks over, wearing some sort of floral sundress. “I’msosorry I’m late and missed dinner,” I tell her as I grab my overnight bag. “I was just caught up in going through a case I have coming up.”
“It’s totally fine. We just grilled and…” She hesitates. “Theremightbe a little tension in the house.”
My stomach drops. “What kind of tension?”
She winces. “Theyour brother kind.”
Uh oh.“What did he do?”
“Um, well … It’s more like what hefound.”
I freeze. “Oh…” I have no idea where this is going, but nothing about it feels good.
“I guess you and Wes have been writing each other?”
Oh no. Oh no! No!
My face grows hot, warming from the base of my neck all the way up to my cheeks. “Oh my gosh.”
Amy’s voice softens. “Parker found one of your letters. And … he knows about the kiss.”
I close my eyes. “And now he’s furious.”
“Protective,” she says gently. “But yeah, furious-adjacent.”
I let out a slow breath. “Where is he?”
“The balcony attached to our room.”
“And Weston?” I choke out his name.
