A clean start, she’d called it.
And, since Reyna had the perfect plan for the most efficient layout of the kitchen, her sister had been the drier, not the washer, even though Reyna had never once sat still for a manicure in her life.
Brisa spread out the wet dish towel and concentrated on her sister’s best points. That would be enough to swallow her complaints.
“We don’t have to do it all in one day, Reyna. Instead of putting Sean to work, why don’t we all go out somewhere? We could get some food, some drinks and relax. My treat, to express my appreciation. Everyone has worked a full week, you know.” Brisa motioned at her outfit: jeans and a new T-shirt advertising Hometown Rescue. The animal shelter was their partner in the Shelter to Service dog training program Sean and others had started at Concord Court. “I’ll even wear this out in public. You know you want to see that. You can take a picture to remember it always.” Brisa reached up to smooth any loose strands of hair back up into the sleek high ponytail she’d chosen for that day.
Reyna’s eyebrows shot up. “You? In a T-shirt? In public? And not at an event for the shelter?” She squeezed Brisa’s shoulder. “Are you feeling okay?”
Brisa shrugged her hand off. “I’m tired. I know you’re not, but come on, let’s take a break.” Even she could detect the beginnings of a whine in her voice, like the kid in the toy aisle who wants this one thing, just this one toy, she promises, and she’ll be so good. Dinner. That’s all it would take to sweeten her mood again.
Reyna nodded but she was frowning down at Brisa’s phone. “Sean’s on his way.” She scrolled with one finger and in that second, Brisa remembered the notifications she’d been getting off and on, ever since she’d logged in to Military Match to search for a great date for Wade. A panicked grab for her phone was denied when her sister spun away. They’d played this game ever since they were kids.
Coming up with a reasonable explanation would be a good idea.
It was too bad absolutely nothing came to mind.
“A dating app is surprising. One filled with veterans instead of wealthy jet-setters is even more puzzling.” Reyna stopped in the corner of the room and waved the phone. “But these are all women. Is there something you need to tell me, BB? It’s fine if there is.” Her sister crossed her arms over her chest and waited.
“I’m helping a friend out. He wants someone to take a shot at making a match for him, and I said I would.” Brisa carefully schooled all the individual pieces of her face to reflect zero emotion. No lie could be detected that way. At the base, her answer was true. No one needed to know that she’d dug the hole for herself and was only attempting to climb out without getting in even deeper.
Her big sister had never been able to tell a lie. When Reyna tried, it immediately ate its way out from the inside. Brisa had never understood that. While lying lying was bad, white lies made the world a better place. White lies smoothed misunderstanding, soothed hurt feelings and basically made the wheels of society turn.
This lie? It was gray, but she was comfortable in the gray.
“Is it someone who lives here, BB?” Reyna asked. “Because I don’t know that either one of us is qualified to add matchmaking to the selection of services Concord Court offers. Is that even an actual service that anyone provides?” She frowned. “This is weird. There’s something you aren’t telling me. What is it?”
Brisa marched across the room and yanked the phone away from her sister. “It’s not that much weirder than a friend saying ‘hey, if you know any single women, could you set me up?’ in my opinion.” She scrolled down, eliminated every single woman who’d responded by the number of filters and amount of skin showing in the photos.
Another Reyna. That was Brisa’s goal for Wade.
Brisa also found a missed call from Reggie. She’d return it later.
Reyna pointed her finger at Brisa. When they were younger, that would have been enough to start a fight, but Brisa had grown past that. Pretty much. “You aren’t telling me who it is. Why?” She stopped to study Brisa’s face. “Sean, your good friend and someone I could see asking for your help, is out of the question because I will torture you both if he’s searching for my replacement already. Peter Kim is dating someone new every week and doesn’t need your help. Marcus…” She nodded. “Could be him. You guys are good friends, working on the new business lab together.”
Immediately picturing Marcus’s response if Reyna mentioned this search to him, Brisa shook her head. She needed his assistance too much to gamble on losing it for a weak alibi. “Not Marcus.”
Reyna didn’t answer. Eventually, she would land on the right guess. Her sister was too smart to fool for long. Distraction was Brisa’s only hope to buy time.
“Food, Reyna. I need food.” Brisa shoved the phone in her pocket and turned up the whine. “I’m starving. Don’t make me beg.”
“Oh, the drama,” Reyna muttered. Before her sister could follow with whatever firm, encouraging, “get yourself together, Brisa” speech that was building in her brain, the doorbell rang.
Brisa went to answer it, but Reyna held up a hand to stop her. “I’ve got it. Sit.”
Thankful, Brisa slipped onto a kitchen stool. Sean entered, holding up a tool bag. “I’m prepared.” He set it down and wrapped an arm around Reyna’s shoulders to pull her into his side. “Are the Montero sisters fighting or did I miss the explosion? You’ve been together a long time with no chaperone.”
“I had hoped Brisa was going to hit me with a revelation about her love life. Instead, I find out she’s dabbling as a matchmaker.” Reyna suddenly slipped out of Sean’s hug. “Hey, as if we can’t get along for a few hours without you to run interference.”
Brisa had to laugh.
Sean’s slow grin was sweet as he reached for Reyna again. Her hesitation was so brief that it didn’t matter. Reyna melted back into his side and said, “You got here just in time. We were about to go there. I’m being bossy again and the whining has started.”
“Of course, you are being bossy,” Sean said and pressed his lips to Reyna’s forehead. “That’s why we love you. Sometimes we want to put you on a slow boat leaving the bay, but we always love you.”
Brisa hoped she’d get used to seeing the two of them together like this. It was still so new, and while they were in the office, Reyna and Sean each had their roles and acted professionally. But after work, they were so cute it was hard to spend time with them while she was as single as single could be.
Except for Reggie.
She should definitely call him back when she had a minute.
Why did the prospect of calling a handsome, wealthy, nice guy weigh on her like a burden?
Would she ever find someone who matched her as perfectly as smart, easygoing Sean matched her smart, fierce sister?
“What if…” Sean held his hands out. “Go with me for a second. What if I hang the television? Then I take you both out for seafood?” He pointed at the tools and the bracket for the television. “Everything I need is here and I don’t have to listen to the two of you arguing over the placement of Brisa’s photos of Brisa.”
Brisa stood slowly. “They’re pictures of famous landmarks, you twerp. Some people travel. Some people take photos of the places they visit. Some people even hang them up to remind them of good times they’ve had.”
Sean pursed his lips. “Some people don’t place themselves front and center while the Eiffel Tower is pushed to the side and cut off in every single pose, but okay.”
“My sister is a model, Sean.” Reyna propped her hands on her hips. Sean and Brisa both knew this was her fighting pose, a warning. “If those other people in the picture were as beautiful as she is, cameras would frame them the same way.” Her sister was using her dangerous voice, the one she employed when someone was being mean to her little sister or when her little sister was maybe, possibly, being a bi
t over-the-top.
That was the reason Brisa needed her sister, bossy pants and all.
“I love your compromise, Sean,” Brisa said as she wrapped her arms around her sister and squeezed her tight. “It’s two against one. You lose.”
Reyna rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’m hungry, too. Don’t think I’ve forgotten the matchmaking mystery. Let me work on it and I’ll find the answer to who your bachelor is. I’ll finish the bathroom. You two get the television set up.” Then she spun on her heel and disappeared.
“That’s what we said,” Sean muttered as he picked up his bag. “But you just have to get the last word in.”
“I heard that,” Reyna yelled from the bathroom.
Brisa and Sean exchanged a quick smile. “The TV goes here,” Brisa said as she pointed at the longest wall. “I’ll be able to watch it from the kitchen, too.”
Sean nodded. “Good.” And that was it. He didn’t need any more guidance, and Brisa had no urge to supervise his work, so she reconsidered changing her clothes. She was under no obligation to wear this outfit out in public now.
She’d turned to judge her chances of slipping past the bathroom to get to the bedroom when someone knocked on the door.
Seeing her “boyfriend” Reggie on the steps was a surprise. “Hey! What are you doing here?”
“I called. When you didn’t answer, I decided to make the trip over.” He motioned carefully with his left shoulder and cut his eyes that direction before holding up an extravagant bouquet of flowers. “I had to see the new place.”
Brisa stepped out to hug him for whatever photographers were nearby and then took his hand to pull him inside. “Come on in.”
When the door was closed, Brisa took the flowers. “Where did you pick up paparazzi tonight?” Thanks to her sister, she knew exactly where her vases were in the kitchen. She sighed as she ran water into a vase and dropped Reggie’s bouquet in, because no matter how often she complained about Reyna, Reyna was always proven correct. In this case: it pays to be organized. It was so annoying.
“Hey, Sean,” Reggie said and then craned his neck toward the hallway, “and Reyna. Good to see you.”
Sean nodded over his shoulder, his hands full of television, while Reyna darted out to hug Reggie and made kissy faces at Brisa before ducking back into the bathroom.
“They’ve been following me since I left the stadium. I had a meeting with management about my contract.” Reggie surveyed the living room and kitchen. “I’ve almost got the terms I want, and every bit of good press reminds everyone how much I bring to the team. This is my last shot before I retire and I want it all, three more years to play and an agreement to add me to the coaching staff. I’m pushing for ten years in total. They want me, but that ten-year request has them hedging, so it’s time to turn up the heat, add some public pressure from my fans. You up for a night out on South Beach? We could get dressed up.” He motioned at her casual outfit. Reggie was already in a suit tailored perfectly for him. “You know the photographers are waiting to get a shot of you in a sexy dress. Cameras love me, so gossip sites love me, and the team loves any good publicity these days. Let’s go dance some. It’ll be fun.”
Brisa hesitated. She could hear Reyna in the bathroom, and Sean fixing up the TV. Saying yes to Reggie had always been so easy. She loved dressing up and dancing. When Reggie was focused on her instead of making deals, he was a lot of fun. People stared and pointed. Drinks flowed. Everyone had a good time.
It was like being a celebrity without all the baggage.
But after a full day of unpacking and Reyna, and so much else, all she wanted was…not dressing up or dancing. In fact, the idea of putting on Brisa the Party Girl made her instantly fatigued. What she wanted was comfort food and to relax. Immediately.
While she framed her answer, she and Reggie ignored Sean’s muttered curse as the cords on her television tangled as he was trying to mount it on the bracket.
“Can I get a rain check?” Brisa asked as she tried to untangle Sean as best she could. “I’m a mess tonight.”
Reggie tipped his head to the side, mild disappointment fluttering briefly across his face. “Sure. Those guys have a picture to work with. Should get you some exposure for your shelter, too.” He motioned at the door. “Walk me out? I wanted to get your opinion on something. And this time, we could do a quick kiss for some insurance that we make the news.”
Annoyed, because she was clearly busy, and now reconsidering the merits of a pretend boyfriend to annoy her father, Brisa dropped the cords. “I’ll be right back,” she whispered to Sean. “Do not drop my television.” His grunt was the best answer she’d get, so she moved around him to open the door. Reggie wrapped his arm around her waist as they stepped outside. Brisa turned to make sure the T-shirt could be read plainly in any photo that was taken.
“Sorry I missed your call earlier,” Brisa said as she leaned against him. From a distance, this could be a sweet embrace. “I’m glad negotiations are going well.” Reggie was great. He had big dreams for the next phase of his career in Miami. She was happy to help in any small way.
He pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m worn-out with all the back-and-forth. I want it done so I can play ball, no worries.” When he raised his head, he said, “Would you be okay with helping me accelerate this process?”
“Yes,” Brisa said, “let’s definitely plan a big night out. I’ll find a fundraiser, we’ll dress up, I’ll drop hints around the room to every powerful person I know about how you and I both want to keep all your charisma and care for the community in Miami, which you do.”
Reggie squeezed her closer. “Good, good, good. What would you think about doing all that with an engagement ring on? We could make a big splash now, then when the season starts, realize we make better friends or something, blah, blah, blah.” He fluttered his lashes at her. “It’s a winning plan.”
The faces of her angry father and devastated stepmother flashed before Brisa’s eyes. Another broken engagement would be proof to them that she was stuck in her old pattern. Brisa wanted to break free of that pattern.
“Let me think about it,” Brisa said. She wanted to be loyal to her friends, but the hard knot in her stomach made it impossible to agree immediately. He had his eyes on his goal; she had to consider what this charade would do to her own.
He nodded and they did their quick kiss. It was pleasant. They’d gotten pretty good at pretending to be a couple.
“Call me when you want to go dance,” Reggie said as he squeezed her hand. He trotted down the steps and had backed his sports car out of the parking spot and left Concord Court with three cars trailing behind before she realized she’d left Sean holding a large piece of electronic equipment.
Brisa turned to hurry inside, but heard Wade calling from his steps, “Hey, Brisa.”
She peeked inside to see that Sean had put the television back down on the floor as he did something to the wall mount.
When she turned back, Wade was on the sidewalk in front of her. “I wanted to say thanks for meeting the furniture delivery guys. It was a long day at work and…” He tugged on the loose tie dangling around his neck. His clothes were as bedraggled as she felt. “It meant a lot to find that couch as soon as I opened the door.” He pointed at the parking lot. “I should have come sooner, so you could introduce me to Reggie.”
Understanding that he’d seen the kiss settled heavily in Brisa’s mind, but she wasn’t sure why it mattered. It had to be a good thing, another sign that they belonged with different people. A fake engagement would cement that division.
Why didn’t having that obstacle between them make her feel better? She knew her relationship with Reggie was for show, but Wade didn’t. His expression was friendly, but she could read the long day in the slump of his shoulders.
Since she understood well how hard it was to move into a new place, Brisa waved off h
is thanks. “I’m glad I could help.” A hard thump reminded her that Sean was performing a delicate maneuver with her television all alone. She pointed over her shoulder. “Come inside?”
Wade followed her up the stairs.
In the living room, Brisa realized she was watching him closely. Too closely. Closely enough that she could see fatigue around his eyes, as if he hadn’t been sleeping, and something else. Worry, maybe.
If she’d had to guess, she would have assumed someone like Wade McNally strode through life confident in every situation. Was she wrong?
“Sean, have you met Wade?” Brisa asked. “Sean works here at Concord Court, keeping the place up and running. He’s also the creator of the rescue-therapy dog project here. Oh, and he’s dating Reyna.”
Sean held the TV awkwardly. “I would shake your hand, since Brisa chose this second to make introductions, but, uh…”
“Let me help.” Wade shrugged out of his coat and moved over to where Sean was mounting the television. Neither one of them said a word, but the operation was seamless. Reyna joined them.
When the television was up, the remote control had been tested and all the connections to her collected electronics were set, Sean sighed with relief. “Nice to meet you, Wade. As I understand it, you’ve had an impressive career, and Miami is lucky to have gotten you. Luis expounded at great length on what your presence here could do for Concord Court.” He held out his hand.
Wade shook it. “Luis Montero is either the world’s greatest hype man or he needs more to concentrate on.”
“Why not both,” Reyna said cheerfully. “I’m happy to share the limelight.” Then she patted Wade’s shoulder. “A man who steps up to help, Brisa. Did you notice?”
At Wade’s raised eyebrow, Brisa huffed out a sigh. “Reggie would have done the same thing if we’d asked. He needs a nudge, that’s all.” Always. Reggie also needed a nudge to drag his attention away from his phone and his deals and promoting his image.
Harlequin Heartwarming March 21 Box Set Page 30