Since Brisa had done most of her first round of searching for him before everything at Concord Court changed, Wade knew that Reyna was at least half-right. Brisa had a full plate, without his request. Was she one hundred percent correct? Had Brisa lied to him?
Again?
CHAPTER TEN
BRISA HAD BEEN in this same spot often, the one where she wished she could go back in time and just…not do something she’d been convinced had been the right thing in a moment of misguided desire to help.
There were any number of examples. Promising to fund a friend’s art show using her father’s credit card had been a terrible idea. Making good on her promise had sent her father into the stratosphere. Trusting said “friend” to keep her word about repayment had been the biggest mistake, though. It took Brisa forever to pay back her dad.
Trying to find her sister a handsome date to keep their father’s nose out of Reyna’s business would have been easy to recover from…
If she’d ever gotten her sister’s permission.
But she hadn’t. And so far, Wade was going along with her version of events. She might still make it out of this booth at Surf and Turf without her sister yelling.
Or worse, being so disappointed in Brisa.
All she had to do was tell a convincing lie.
Only one thing stopped her. Wade’s eyes.
Telling the truth now was going to hurt.
Lying to him again and being found out at some point in the future would be worse. Already, he’d transitioned from nice enough acquaintance to a good guy who had a whole personality and a list of dreams for his life, too. Someone like a friend. Experiencing Surf and Turf together probably had a way of bonding people like that.
“I haven’t actually settled on the person yet, but there are a couple of good options for Wade to choose from.” There. A pinch of truth with enough vagueness to get herself out of trouble. Maybe.
Nobody was buying it. Wade’s expression changed. It was impossible to describe how, but the warmth of friendship founded on fried food faded. He grew cooler.
Reyna did what she had always done, over a lifetime of big sistering. She stepped in to save Brisa. “Good. Great. That means we still have time to fine-tune the decision.” She smiled broadly at Wade. “Tell me what you’re looking for. I’m really good at this.
“Pretty, of course. Late thirties.” Reyna tapped the table. “What else is important?” She wasn’t writing a list, but Brisa was certain her sister was flipping through her mental catalog of single women she knew.
Wade cleared his throat. “Military. Likes kids because Thea is the most important person to me. Okay with the demands of my career.”
Reyna pursed her lips. “Why military?”
Annoyed at her sister again, Brisa was determined to get the evening over with as fast as possible. She wrapped her hand around Wade’s arm and tried to nudge him out of the booth again. “Because Wade, like you, like at least half of the veterans I talk to, thinks that only another veteran can understand what he or she’s been through. They don’t want to talk any more about their experience than they have to. They’re absolutely certain that military scars are completely different from the types of wounds all the rest of us carry. And in some cases, that may be true, but the fact is, bad things happen every day to civilians, too, unfortunately. Any of this sound familiar, Reyna? Stop badgering the witness.”
Reyna covered her heart with her hands. “I never said that, did I? I don’t think my scars are that much different than a lot of other people’s.” She frowned as she considered the question.
“I’m pretty sure I said it. I know Jason Ward had to be persuaded to drop that kind of thinking when he was trying to talk himself out of liking the professor.” Sean’s expression was serious. “I get it.”
“Reyna, you’re you,” Brisa said and waved her hand generally. “Capable of handling it all by yourself. Not everyone is that way.”
“That isn’t true, Brisa. People who don’t know her might say that, but we know her.” Sean wrapped an arm around Reyna, always their peacemaker.
Since Wade hadn’t spoken, Brisa wasn’t sure which way he was taking the conversation. “You’re right. It’s just…” She sighed. “The only woman I can think of who would be right for Wade is already in love with one of my best friends.”
Watching Sean’s slow smile was sweet until he realized fully what she was saying.
“Someone like Reyna who is not Reyna,” he muttered and frowned at Wade.
Wade held both hands up in surrender. Whatever Sean was figuring out, he hadn’t gotten to the catfishing truth yet and Brisa refused to escort him the rest of the way.
“Hand me your phone. We can flip through the choices and talk them over.” Reyna held out her hand.
When Reyna used the “bossy big sis” tone, Brisa usually had one of two reactions. The easiest was compliance. She liked the easy way, but not tonight. When Wade wrapped his hand around hers under the table, she jolted and turned his direction. Some of the warmth had returned.
Before she could straighten her spine and object to Reyna, Wade said, “I’m happy with the setup. Brisa understands what I want.”
Reyna’s eyebrows shot up, so Brisa braced herself for…something. She wasn’t sure what her older sister might say in the face of having her orders ignored.
Reyna nodded. “Okay, good enough for me, then.” She pointed at the plates on the table. “Everyone’s finished. Should we go?”
Relieved, Brisa jostled to get out of the booth. “Yeah, yeah. Wade has been dying to check out the observation point. Meet us outside.”
“That’s our cue to give them some privacy, dear.” Sean grabbed the bill and pulled Reyna out behind him to weave through the tables.
Wade didn’t follow. Instead, he stared at her solemnly. Whatever commotion there was around them, he and Brisa might have been caught in a bubble of privacy. He didn’t need words to tell her they weren’t through with the conversation about why she’d lied again. She wanted him to know that she understood that and that she had a few words to say to him about the whole thing, too. When they were both clear, he started to walk.
As Brisa followed, she tried to remember the last time she’d been on the same page with a man, so connected that they could communicate, even temporarily resolve problems, without a word. No one came to mind, not even the kid she’d married when she was a kid, too. They’d done all their talking in loud bursts, either excited or angry.
Facing a man who could tell her what was going on inside his head with one stare was new.
And exciting.
When he offered her his hand, she slipped her hand in his easily. Maybe too easily. Wade made it easy.
Something else she was going to have to give some serious thought to later.
As they stepped outside, Reyna and Sean were already pressed close to the wooden railing that circled the highest deck, a perch about fifty feet from the door that continued up to a point farther away. During the day, visitors would see more marsh, mangroves and wide-open space that turned into ocean at some point.
“Surf and Turf comes with dinner and a show,” Sean said as he pointed over the side. Wade leaned to look down, way, way down into inky darkness.
Brisa remembered her first visit, also at night. She’d been certain something was watching her from the water below. Sean guffawed at the way she’d shrieked at a noise. Then he’d whimpered at her firm grip on his arm all the way back to the car while Reyna laughed.
“Why do I get the creepy sensation something is watching me?” Wade asked as he took a step back. Brisa’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she didn’t mention they were on the same page.
“I’m not sure gators have that good eyesight, but maybe,” Reyna said thoughtfully.
“Restaurants with pet alligators,” Wade muttered. “Only in Florida.”
“There’s a barricade built under the lowest level of the piers,” Brisa said softly before she squeezed his hand. “Sean’s been here long enough that he’s soaked in some Florida Man tendencies, but this is one of those things that separates tourists from the locals. We’re safe.”
Wade nodded but he didn’t let go of her hand. “Does this mean I’m part of the family? Are there any other tests I need to be prepared for?”
The family? That was a sweet way to put it.
“Eating the best seafood on a plate? Some test!” Brisa cleared her throat. A strange lump there was giving her trouble. “You aren’t going to put regular visits to Surf and Turf on your calendar, then?”
Wade bent closer. “Only if you’re with me. I need to know what to keep an eye out for. If Cookie doesn’t get me, the gators might.”
When he tangled their fingers together, everything stopped. Brisa wanted to stay there in the shadows, just the two of them, until she understood what was happening between them.
“Are you guys coming?” Reyna shouted from the stairs leading back down to the parking lot.
Brisa tugged him forward. “My sister tempts me to toss her to the gators now and then. I’m glad you were with us tonight. It has been a long day.” She closed her eyes. “She’s effective, yes, but there’s never a minute to rest.”
He wrinkled his nose. “We should give Reyna and Thea a project. I don’t know who could come out on top, but as long as we stayed far away and watched from a distance, it would be awe-inspiring.”
Brisa smiled. “We better catch up. I don’t think Sean will leave without us, but Reyna might try giving the order.”
“They’re good together,” he murmured as they went down the steps. “Spending time with them makes me optimistic about dating and jealous enough to ruin my digestion.”
“Because you didn’t have a chance to get to know Reyna first?” Brisa asked lightly, even though she didn’t want the answer.
“No, because I want something like they have, that easy love where they see each other clearly, the good and the not so good, and neither one is worried about losing it. Most people try to hide that stuff. I know I did.” Wade pulled her hand through the crook in his elbow, as if they were descending a grand staircase instead of a weathered gator overlook in the middle of nowhere.
Apparently Wade McNally had layers.
“Yeah, neither Reyna nor Sean have to hide much. They’re both great.” Brisa bit back a sigh. She understood why Wade had mentioned jealousy. “You should go with that ‘being yourself’ thing, too. You’re great, too. Any woman would agree.”
All she did was hide things. Her whole life, that had been her way to cope with being out of step wherever she was.
Wade didn’t argue, though. It was good advice she’d given.
They were quiet as they maneuvered the rest of the dark stairs back to the parking lot and slid into the car. Reyna and Sean were both quiet, too.
Brisa always enjoyed the drive out to Surf and Turf. She’d grown up in Coral Gables; lived here and there all over the world and spent most of her time in the big, vibrant city of Miami. This place? Might as well have been on a different planet.
The company was always good, though. Brisa had no secrets from Reyna except for Military Match; they could talk about anything.
Sean could be counted on to keep things light and entertaining. Tonight, Wade had drawn some of the attention, too.
Taking her side after Reyna offered to step in to help set him up had been sweet and unexpected. He’d been so upset when he’d cornered her on the rooftop. In his spot tonight, she’d have been dying to spill the beans on whoever had tried to trick her.
Wade had kept his promise. At the same time, he’d given her a vote of confidence, too. Did he understand that? Probably not.
He definitely didn’t understand how much that loyalty meant to Brisa.
Sean parked in front of Reyna’s unit. “Y’all have a good evening. We’re going to take Dottie for her nightly constitutional.”
“I’m working the next three days at the station, but you can call me if you need me.” Reyna hugged Brisa after they both exited the car. “Not that you will need me,” she told Brisa.
Wade and Sean shook hands. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll pick up the check next time,” Wade said as he stepped up on the sidewalk.
“I’ll be sure to pick a more expensive place, then.” Sean let out an “oof” even though he managed to catch Reyna’s jab before it connected with his abdomen. “And listen, I don’t know everything that goes into matchmaking.” He bent his head closer and murmured, “But between you and me, I know as much as either one of them.” Sean grinned. “You want to meet someone great, slip on your running shoes and meet me at the pool about sunrise.”
Brisa exchanged a look with her sister.
“Mira,” Sean said. “Pretty. Retired Air Force medic. Must like kids because she’s going to be a teacher. Tends to give orders that make men run faster, but that’s on purpose because she’s our amateur personal trainer. As a man who understands the lure of a woman who is a smidge intimidating,” Sean added as he pulled Reyna closer, “I’d say she’s perfect for Wade’s foray into dating in his new life.”
She and Reyna exchanged glances again.
“I’ve explained that mental telepathy only works for twins and that they are not, in fact, twins, although the attitudes are very similar, but…” Sean shook his head.
“Would Mira be interested in a blind date?” Brisa asked, her hands clutched under her chin. She’d been through all the other options on the website that showed interest in Wade and rejected them.
Dating sites were terrible. She might as well have thrown a dart at a picture.
But Mira… Brisa didn’t know her well, but she was a part of the inner circle that hung out at the pool at midnight. All veterans. All in need of the chance to talk with others who understood. Mira might not be a Reyna Montero, but she was an exciting choice.
“Interested in a blind date,” Sean repeated slowly. “I’m guessing no.”
Reyna opened her mouth to add something. Brisa wasn’t sure whether it would be advice or intended for Sean, but he spun her sister around and they both walked away and up the steps to their door.
Brisa could see the blur of a bouncing Dalmatian when the door opened and closed behind them.
She turned back to face Wade. “He’s right.”
“About which part?” Wade asked. Brisa had unlocked her door and only then noticed he hadn’t followed her. Her plan was to keep the evening going, even though she was worn-out. For some reason, she’d have been happy to talk to him longer. He’d had a big day, too. Was he waiting for her to get inside safely? Sweet.
Brisa crossed her arms over her chest. “Sean’s right about all of it. Do not tell him I said that. Mira would be a great woman to introduce you to. She may not be looking for you, but I do have some solid powers of persuasion. When you come in on Monday, I’ll have the details worked out. Trust me.”
Wade shoved his hands in his pockets. “I trusted you last time and you were…not telling the truth. What’s different this time?” There was no anger in his expression, but it was harder to see his eyes given where he stood on the shadowy sidewalk.
What an excellent question. She’d known him less than a week and already let him down how many times? Why would he trust her?
But that question reminded her of her father’s stern face while they’d met in her office about what to do with Concord Court.
What a moment to come to grips with her own part in the mess of her family’s drama. Using half-truths to smooth everything over made big messes. Always had. When was she going to try something different?
She huffed out a heavy breath. “Here’s the thing. My intentions are always good. They are. But I overpromise and underdeliver.
Over thirty-plus years. It’s time to get a grip on that. You deserve the truth.” She marched back down the steps. “I’m going to talk to Mira and do my absolute best to convince her this is an excellent opportunity because it is. I’ll do that by the time I close the office on Monday. If I can’t convince her, I’ll keep looking.” She held out her hand. “Shake my hand. It almost killed me to hedge my bets that way.”
He chuckled as he shook her hand. “Why? It was nearly the way almost everyone makes promises.”
Another good question. “I know what you want. I like you. I want you to have it. That’s the key to every bad decision I’ve made over a lifetime.” She seesawed her head. “To be fair, all of the good ones, too.”
Wade finally nodded. “Fair enough. I’d rather have that, Brisa, the truth.”
“Even when it’s not what you want to hear?” Brisa asked.
Wade stared hard at the sidewalk. “Yeah. Even then.”
“Okay,” Brisa said. She’d have to see how this played out.
Before he could go, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hesitation had the awkward flush spreading on her face, but then he wrapped his arms around her and held her. The hug went from a thank-you to genuine comfort in an instant.
“What’s this for?” he asked, his voice husky in her ear. The vibration stole her breath and sent a small shiver down her back.
“You didn’t tell Reyna what I did. It must have been tempting to make an example of my bad behavior. And you chose my help over hers.” Brisa didn’t meet his eyes as she said it but tried to make a joke. “No one else in the world would do that.”
When she would have stepped back, Wade held her close. She wasn’t sure how long they stood there. Eventually he said, “You can trust me, Brisa. I’ll never tell the story of why we met. And over dinner tonight, I realized how lucky I was that Reyna found Sean before I showed up. She’s not the one for me.” He eased back. “Thanks for saving me from the gators. Introduce me to Reggie the next time he’s around, okay?”
She nodded.
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