“He took Buddy down to the beach,” Amy says. “But he took all the responsibility for everything.”
“Of course, he did.” I shake my head, my heart squeezing at the way he came to my defense.
But I have feelings for him, too. And it’s time for me to tell my brother.
And make this right.
“I’ll talk to Parker.”
Amy nods. “I’ll show you to your room.”
I drop off my stuff in my bedroom, then follow Amy to Parker’s suite. Amy gives me one last “good luck,” before slipping downstairs where I hear a bunch of laughter. I take a deep breath and step into the brightly-lit room, decorated with coral colors and strange seahorse pictures. I see my brother’s shadow through the French doors that lead outside.
Here we go.
I straighten my shoulders, feeling as though I’m walking into a courtroom. The courtroom of Parker freaking Harris.
I’ve known him my whole life, and Amy is incredible, but even a little ray of sunshine like her can’t stop him from being the storm he is when things go wrong.
“Hey,” I call out to Parker, trying to stay chipper as I step outside, closing the door behind me. My brother is perched in a lounge chair, looking moodier than ever beneath his Ray-Bans. “You know the sun is about to set, right? You don’t need those,” I add.
He whips his head around to me but doesn’t take his sunglasses off. “How nice of you to finally show up.” He grunts, then promptly turns his gaze back to the beach.
I take a moment to glance down at the gobs of people out there, enjoying the weekend. I watch a game of volleyball for a few moments, nearly laughing as some lady wipes out trying to hit the ball back. However, the joy fades immediately as my brother’s voice cuts through the air.
“So, you’repen palswith my best friend, huh?”
Oh boy.I swallow hard, turning to him and resting against the railing. “Yes, we were … But I think I messed it up, to be honest.”
“You meanhemessed it up when he tried to kiss you.”
I tilt my head. “Well, I mean, hedidkiss me, and I kissed him back. And I enjoyed it so much that I freaked out afterward.”
“I don’t want your gross details,” he snips, visibly shuddering as he lifts his glasses onto the top of his head. “I really don’t want to know that you enjoyed my best friend’s mouth.”
“Well, that’s one way to say it.” I curl my lip in disgust. “That makes it sound so gross. It was just a kiss.”
“With my best friend.”
“Yeah, I think you’ve made that clear.” I snort, rolling my eyes and folding my arms across my chest. “And I’m sorry…” My voice trails off as something doesn’t quite sit right with my apology. “Actually—”
“Actually what?” Parker raises a brow at me.
The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. “I’mnotsorry it happened. I enjoyed it, and I’m sad that I messed it up. Why do you care so much?”
“Because all I asked is that Westonnotkissoneperson. That person being my freaking little sister.”
“I’m a grown woman, Parker.” I level with my brother. “I can do whatever I want, and kiss whoever I want.”
“You just got your heart broken. The last thing you need is for Weston to make it all worse. The guy never makes it past the second date.”
“So? Maybe that’s just because he hasn’t found the right person…” My voice trails off as I let out a sigh. “Weston has been so nice, and Ilikehim. He’s been there for me in a way no one else has.”
“By writing you letters?” Parker’s sharpness starts to dull as curiosity replaces the irritation on his face. “Can you explain that?”
“Um…” My body starts to relax a little. “Well, it started with a housewarming card, and then it just kept going. It’s the first time someone has thought of me in a way that was just … thoughtful.”
Parker’s entire façade begins to soften. “Wes has always been one of the most thoughtful people I know—aside from you.”He sighs. “Maybe it’snotthe worst thing for you guys to be …friends.”
