Chapter 3

3

As soon as my sister Annabeth's face appears on Trick's computer screen, I start to feel a little better. The two of us have been close our whole lives, like two peas in a pod, even though she's almost two years older than me.

Growing up, we'd formed a sort of team, us against our parents. Not because they were abusive. They just put certain expectations on us, ones that neither one of us felt were fair or always fell in line with what we actually wanted for ourselves, so we became each other's support system, each other's cheerleader.

When Beth gave birth to sweet, little Eleanor a couple of months ago, I had been right by her side, holding her hand, and this is the first time I've been away since Eleanor was born. Even before Beth had moved back to Stonewood Ridge a couple of weeks ago, I saw her and Eleanor almost every day. I usually drove over after work and would fuss over the baby for a few hours, feed her dinner, get her ready for bed, and give Beth a break.

"Hey, you," she says, grinning at me in that way I'd become familiar with ever since Eleanor's birth: cheerful but exhausted. My poor sister needs more help, but Eleanor's bio dad was useless and a big part of the reason why Beth had moved back home with our parents. Taking no for an answer turned out wasn't his strong suit. "I didn't think I'd be able to talk to you while you were gone."

I make a face and huff out of breath. "Me either, but Chad's brother, Trick, paid for some WiFi package and he said I could call or video chat with you if I wanted to, anytime I wanted."

"That was nice of him," Beth says, glancing off-screen at something and her whole face softens, so I know she's looking at Eleanor.

"Is she sleeping? Let me see her."

Beth laughs, but a second later, she settles back down in front of her computer with my chubby-cheeked niece in her arms. "Say hi to Auntie Ginny," Beth says, waving Eleanor's little hand at me.

She's so freaking cute, I can't handle it. My insides ache for a baby of my own, but after what happened with Chad, I feel further away than ever from getting my own family. I suppose I'll just have to keep loving on Eleanor instead.

"So what's going on?" Beth says, patting Eleanor's tiny butt. "Why aren't you out enjoying the sun or doing some shopping? I was checking out the boat online and that place is sweet. Some of the restaurants sound amazing."

"Yeah," I say slowly, "There's been a little change in plan."

Beth's eyes widen. "What does that mean? Did something happen? Is the boat turning around?"

God, I wish it was.

Then I think about waking up cuddled against Trick's strong chest, and I realize I don't actually want that, not if it means I can get a few more stolen moments like that with a man ten times better than Chad could ever be.

And that's something Chad's insecure about and has been since I met him. As much as his parents have spoiled him, I've heard the comments of, "Look at how well Trick's doing." And "Maybe you should ask Trick for some advice."

Things that let their younger son know how proud they are of their eldest, even as they doted on him. And he'd have to be blind not to see how attractive his brother is. It isn't that Chad was plain or anything, his features were just more… generic. Whereas Trick is like a sculpted god, his facial features perfectly in proportion, his intellect striking, and a smoking body to go along with it.

He's every woman's fantasy.

"No, but I found Chad cheating on me yesterday." I feel my cheeks start to heat, even though this is just Beth, and I know she won't judge me. I just still feel so dumb.

She gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. "No! Yesterday? What the hell?"

I shake my head, blinking fast to prevent tears from spilling. I refuse to shed tears over that asshole. "Yeah, I went to get a massage with his mom at the spa and came back a couple of hours later and found him."

Her mouth drops open. "You found them together?"

I nod, groaning. "The image is burned into my brain. I don't think I'll ever be able to unsee it."

She presses her lips together, but the corners still twitch.

"It isn't funny." I fake scowl at her.

She quickly shakes her head. "No, it's not funny. Just the way you said that, so seriously, I couldn't help but imagine some really kinky stuff they must've been up to."

I roll my eyes. "Nothing like that. It was just regular girl on top."

She makes a face. "Of course, he'd make her do all the work."

It's my turn to smile. "I mean, to be fair, she looked like she was enjoying it right up until I interrupted."

"Honestly, you dodged a bullet," Beth says, turning Eleanor and lifting her shirt to help her find a nipple and start breastfeeding. "I know he could be charming, but it always just seemed so fake to me."

"You're right," I say, flopping back on the couch. "I'd just been single for so long, I wanted to convince myself he was just trying too hard and that once he became more comfortable, he'd…"

"Turn into the man you want."

God, that makes me sound terrible, but it's true.

It isn't like at twenty-four I'm a spinster, but it just seems like the harder I try for a serious, long-term relationship, the faster they end. In college, I'd dated a couple of different guys, but all but one had dumped me when I refused to have sex with them. The one who didn't, well, it turned out he had been more interested in appearing to have a steady girlfriend than actually having one.

I couldn't even be mad. He'd been the sweetest guy, and his parents had been horrible to him, making him feel like he couldn't be himself, like being gay was the worst possible thing that he could do to them.

But now I'm settling into my job, saving up for a house, and no closer to finding a partner to build a life with.

"Why do I keep choosing such losers?" I moan, covering my face with my hands.

"You always try and see the best in people," Beth says.

I'm not sure that's the truth. "I guess, but now I feel like I have to hide out the whole trip."

Beth jolts and sits forward. "Wait, where are you right now? Are you still in his room? Are you sleeping in the bathtub or something? Tell me you're not still sharing a bed with that man."

I shake my head quickly. "Oh, no. I thought I was going to have to, but then Trick offered to share his suite with me, so I took him up on it."

She nods, relaxing back into her chair and adjusting her hold on Eleanor. "I forgot that you all have suites. So are the couches comfortable or are you going to be miserable by the end of the week?"

I almost don't tell her. I'm not sure why, except a tiny part of me feels like I'd done something wrong, staying in Trick's bed last night, like I jumped from one man to the next without pausing to take a breath in between.

"He actually, um, insisted that I sleep in his bed."

"He took the couch? That's so sweet."

"No, we shared it." I hold my breath, waiting for Beth's reaction.

At first, she almost looks confused, like she can't understand the concept of two adults sharing a bed. Then her eyes widen just a little before she starts to grin. "He's really hot, isn't he?"

"Beth," I scold. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Oh, come on. You just got royally screwed over by his brother and now you have the chance to get back at Chad by doing some hanky-panky with his hotter, more successful older brother?"

I push a hand through my hair. "He's being really nice, but there's no way he'd be interested in me like that."

As soon as I say the words, I know they're a mistake. Beth launches into a familiar lecture about how beautiful I am and how sweet, and that the right man will appreciate me just as I am. I know she's right. I don't hate my body most days. It can just be difficult sometimes, constantly having thinner ones shoved in my face.

I see Hannah again, sprinting out the door, all toned muscles and slim limbs.

I finally hold up a hand and she falls silent. "I know, but still, he's like way older and way more successful."

"So what?" Beth says. "I'm not saying marry him, but you can have a little fun. You deserve it, Ginny. You've been there for me like no one else ever has. You deserve to have fun on your vacation."

"Maybe," I say, mostly to placate her.

In reality, I imagine I'll be spending the rest of my vacation holed up inside this suite, too embarrassed to show my face on the chance I'll run into Chad or his parents.

"I should let you go," Beth says. "I need to burp this one and then get her down for a nap."

I nod. "Tell Mom and Dad I said hi."

It was her turn to make a weird face.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," she says slowly. "Did they tell you they were going to be going to the cabin for the weekend while you were gone?"

I sit up straight. "They're leaving you and Eleanor alone? Are you okay?"

She laughs lightly. "We'll be fine. I just thought it was kind of weird timing."

"What about while you're working? Who's going to watch Eleanor?"

She looks away and my stomach sinks. We'd been making do with her and I switching off on watching her since Beth had gotten her new waitressing job at the Rusty Spoon. Occasionally, our parents would watch her, though Beth didn't like to ask very often, not wanting to wear out her welcome before her and Eleanor could get their own place.

"One of the girls I work with recommended her babysitter."

"You're going to leave her with a stranger?" As soon as I say the words, I know they're a mistake.

Beth's eyes fill with tears. "I have to, Ginny. I don't have any other choice."

"I know, I'm sorry," I say quickly, holding up my hands. "I'm sure this person will be fantastic, and it'll only be a couple of times, and then I'll be back and I'll get to spend some quality Eleanor time."

She nods, still looking uneasy.

We say our goodbyes and then I close out of the video chat.

I spend most of the afternoon sitting out on Trick's balcony, arms wrapped around myself as I stare out into the endless ocean around us, thinking about Beth, and Chad, and how I'd ended up where I am.

Trick's gone most of the day. He'd told me that morning he was going to give me my space today and that he'd be back before dinner. I'd been grateful at the time, but as the day drags on I can't help but wish for his easy company. The way he'd watched me last night as I'd eaten… It made me feel good.

Good in a way I'm not used to.

Good in a way I'd like to get used to.

About an hour before Chad and his family are supposed to meet up for dinner—well, and me too, not that I'm going—Trick strolls back into the suite. I slip back inside, sliding the glass door shut behind me.

He glances at my pink cotton shorts and bedazzled tank top. "Very casual. Maybe I'll wear something casual to dinner, too."

"I'm not going to dinner," I say quickly.

"You can't hide out here all week," he says, gaze intense and voice serious.

"I sure can," I say, planting my hands on my hips. "Your brother is going to be at that dinner. There's no way I'm going to face him when he hasn't told your parents about what happened. It's going to be too awkward."

Trick prowls across the suite toward me. There was no other word for it. He moved with such feline grace, predatory and smooth. "Don't worry about my parents. I'll tell them."

"I can't ask you to do that," I say, shaking my head and letting my arms drop to my sides. "You know they're going to blame me."

"They can never blame Chad for any of his own mistakes, so yeah, that's a definite possibility, but you still shouldn't be ashamed and hide away like you did anything to deserve this."

"I just don't think I can face him," I say softer, looking up at him beseechingly. "Especially if he truly believes we're going to get back together. He's just going to try and brush the whole thing under the rug and I'm either going to have to sit there and take it or cause a scene."

"I told you I'd handle it," Trick says. "And I came up with an idea," he adds, a wry grin spreading across his lips.

"What kind of idea?" I have a bad feeling about that smile.

"The kind where we tell them we're together now, and it drives Chad crazy with jealousy."

I suck in a breath.

That's a terrible idea.

To convince anyone we're together, there would have to be at least casual touching with lots of time spent right next to each other. I'm not sure my poor libido could handle it, let alone my heart.

Before I can explain why we can't do this in a way that doesn't reveal my not-so-tiny crush, he grabs my hands and gives them a soft tug. "Trust me, Virginia, this is the best way to get back at him."

For some reason, I can't argue with him.

"Okay," I say.

What am I getting myself into?