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Doubt he’s in the will.
“But this isn’t about the wedding.” Dash brings my focus back to the current tragedy. “It’s about Wai Po. Mom needs to know.”
As much as I hate what will come of my next words, I force them out. “I’ll tell her.”
“Luna—”
“Shut up.” I soften the reprimand with a pat on his knee. “You cut off contact for a reason. Stick to that. I’ll tell her. I was going to anyway.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”No. But no way am I going to let my brother step back into the quicksand of our family if I can help it. “I’ll tell her. You and Paige keep your distance for as long as you want.” Forever, if I have things my way.
Dash stares at me then, no doubt trying to figure out what’s going on in my mind.
Good luck.
“I love you,” he says. The intensity of his statement has me rearing back. But I can’t go far because suddenly his long arms capture me in a tight hug. “I wish I’d said that more to Wai Po.”
“I’m not dying,” I mutter, moving to return his embrace.
But I understand the gesture. The panic that lingers from our grandmother’s passing and how the hurt bleeds into worry about the mortality of others.
Suddenly I’m the one holding onto him tighter.
If I die, Dash will have Paige to hold him through the pain.
But I don’t have that.
Without my brother, I’m alone.
ChapterThree
CHARLIE
When I get married, I will require all aspects of the ceremony take place on dry land. Nothing better than solid ground under your feet when making any kind of commitment. Or when doing anything for that matter.
For instance, this yacht is doing its best to hinder my ability to perform the simplest of tasks. Like walking.
The instant I stepped from the relative security of the dock onto this luxurious watercraft, my legs forgot how to stay steady. Perpetual sea legs. Or land legs. Whatever the problem is, I know it won’t go away. I stumble to the closest seat I can find, which turns out to be a booth in the boat’s interior near the buffet.
“Hey!” Paige settles beside me. My best friend brushes aside a stray blonde curl as she stares into my eyes. “How are you doing? Have you been falling over? Do you have bruises yet? I’m sorry about the boat. Since this party is mainly for all Mom and Dad’s friends I didn’t want to invite to the actual wedding, I figured I’d let my parents choose the place. I never thought they’d pick a boat. Mom and Dad wanted to surprise me with the location, and they must not know what these things do to your inner ear.”
No, they wouldn’t know. I love Paige’s parents like an aunt and uncle, but most of the time Mrs. Herbert has her head buried in a car engine, and Mr. Herbert doesn’t give off a warm cuddly air. They care about me, and I know they always wished Paige and I had ended up together. Still, I’ve never had a heart-to-heart with them about my vulnerabilities.
Including my aversion to boats.
“It’s fine. Seriously. My balance has improved.” Under other circumstances, I’d be honest with Paige, letting her know I’m worried I might tumble out of this seat at any second. But today we’re all here to celebrate her engagement. None of this party should focus on me.
Still, my friend gives me a skeptical look. “Charlie—”
“Miss Herbert, there you are.” A woman with a fancy camera hanging around her neck approaches our table. “I thought now would be a good time for pictures of you and your fiancé. Wedding party too? The view off the bow is magnificent! Will make for a perfect background.” The bearer of bad ideas grins down at the two of us.
Paige glances my way. “I don’t—”
“Sounds like a plan!” I wave my friend out of the booth so we can both stand. No way am I going to let my unsteadiness hinder any part of this party. With a strategic grip on the tabletop and locking my knees, I’m able to stand, making the move appear almost smooth.
I can tell from the way her brows dip, Paige is readying to mount a protest, but I spot the best distraction.
