Drew’s response was a gentle snore.
* * *
“I need more sleep,”Drew whined softly when Kris asked him if he was going to join him for breakfast.
“Fine,” Kris said, slipping a navy-and-white-striped t-shirt over his head. “I need coffee. Text me when you’re up, and maybe we can meet somewhere.”
“K,” was Drew’s only reply.
Kris remembered there was a small café in Tranquil Bay, so he headed there. His mom tended to be a ‘dining room for breakfast’ kind of cruiser, so he was less likely to run into her there. He did, however, see Kat when he approached the café.
“Oh, good,” she greeted him with a sly grin. “I want to talk to you.”
Inwardly he groaned, but he pasted a smile on his face and said, “Sure, just let me get some coffee.”
In addition to the caffeine, he snagged a bagel and some fruit salad, and they sat together at one of the outdoor tables, tucked off to the side under a palm tree decorated with Christmas ornaments.
“So, what’s really going on between you and Drew?” she asked pointedly.
“Whaddya mean?”
“Don’t play dumb, brother mine.” She sipped her coffee. “You said you’ve been seeing him for a few months, but yesterday, you never once held his hand or squeezed his thigh when he said something cute. Hell, you never even gave him an affectionate little kiss on the cheek. I know you better than that. Something’s not right.”
Kris sighed. “Shit.”
“Spill it, Kris. Is he really your boyfriend?”
“Um, no, not really. Dammit, I told Izzy this wouldn’t work.” He shook his head and looked at his sister. “Drew’s a really great guy, and he is really a waiter, but that’s how Izzy and I know him. You know I broke up with Paul in the spring, and I really haven’t met anyone that matters. But I kinda led Mom to believe I had a boyfriend. I didn’t know what to do!”
“So you what? Hired him to play the part for the week?”
The color rose in his cheeks. “It was Izzy’s idea,” he said weakly.
“Not one of her best.” Kat sighed. “But you can’t tell Mom the truth at this point.”
“Great.” Kris was despondent. “What am I gonna do now?”
“Relax, you’ve got your big sister here to save the day. Finish eating and go find Drew. I’ll text Court, and the four of us will meet and figure this out. Come to our cabin. It’s private, so we won’t be interrupted by the ’rents.”
“Thanks, sis.” Relaxed now, he smiled at Kat.
CHAPTER4
Drew
Drew had just finished showeringwhen he heard his phone buzz. He’d tried to fall asleep again after Kris had left, but he was unsuccessful, so he had given up and gotten ready for the day.
Where R U?
Just got outta the shower. What’s up?
Heading back to the room with coffee. We gotta talk.
Drew hurriedly dressedand was just putting on his watch when the door opened. “Hey …” he started.
“Kat knows,” Kris stated, handing Drew the to-go cup.
“Kat knows what?”
