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Jayna was kind. Maybe not nice, but kind. She could be grumpy as hell and still do the right thing.
The door came open again and his brother strode out, moving right up to Jayna and giving her his biggest Hollywood smile.
Ah, if there was anyone in the world that smile wouldn’t work on, it was Jayna.
Except she shook her head and seemed to laugh at something Paul said. Then a long sigh went through her and she pulled her phone from her purse. She unlocked it and passed it over to Paul.
Was she giving him her number?
He felt like his feet were glued to the ground beneath him. He should be moving, walking right over to where Paul was passing back her phone and putting his hand on her shoulder.
Jayna stepped back, waving her hand and dismissing his brother as she turned toward the courthouse. She walked away, not looking back while Paul stared after her.
Paul shook his head like he’d really enjoyed the view.
That was what got Quaid moving.
Paul started to walk across the square, and it took him a moment to look up. A big smile crossed his face as he saw Quaid. “Hey, brother. You already get rid of Mom? I’m supposed to meet her in thirty minutes.”
“What were you doing with Jayna?”
Paul’s eyes went wide. “Nothing. We were both at thecafé and it was full. It’s lunchtime, you know. So we shared a table.”
He was lying. “Jayna wouldn’t have lunch with you.”
“Why? She’s a nice person and she’s dating you. Is it such a surprise she would be curious about your family?”
“Jayna doesn’t care about my family. I don’t know what crap Mom has filled...”
“Hey, Jayna’s cool. I like her. I think she’s good for you. Mom will come around.” Paul put a hand on his arm. “You’re a lucky guy, but you need to get her out of that apartment and show her off or the whole town is going to think you’re her rebound booty call.”
“So you randomly met Jayna at the café.”
“Okay, I might have been hoping to see her since I knew Mom was planning on having one of her special talks with you. Did she tell you all about how Jayna went after Todd Shale’s money by signing an ironclad prenup and then working her ass off to help his dad’s law firm?”
He snorted because at least Paul knew their mother. She could take a situation and rework it in her head so it fit her own personal world view. “I might have pointed out that Jayna’s actions weren’t that of a woman after a man’s money. They don’t usually sign prenups and work hard when all they want is cash.”
Paul’s eyes rolled. “I love our mother, but she is living in some weird feudal world where we’re all nobility and the peasants are trying to kill us or something. Why are you looking at me like I grew an extra two heads? I am not unaware of our mother’s flaws. I know you think I kiss up to her constantly, but I’ve genuinely tried to get her to stay out of your business.”
“What are you up to?” His brother hadn’t sounded so reasonable in years.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Paul asked.
“It means you stopped trying to charm me years ago.”
“I’m not trying to charm you, Quaid. I’m trying to have a relationship with my brother. I know I’ve been an ass in the past, and I hurt every single person I care about. I know you think I can’t change, but I’ve done the work this time,” Paul said, his voice tight. “I’m a screwup and I continue to make dumb decisions, but I’m making them without the influence of cocaine or any other drug. If I have to give up the occasional beer to prove that to you, I’ll do it. I’m not the same brother who left here years ago. I want another chance.”
“This is not the first time I’ve heard this speech, Paul.” He wanted to believe his brother, but he was tired. He’d been through this at least ten times. Paul would go to rehab and Quaid would get his hopes up and it would start all over again—the lying, the stealing. He was weary when it came to his brother.
“But I promise you, it is the last. I don’t know why it worked this time, but it did. I can’t say I won’t ever use again. That’s not how this works. I have to wake up every day and make the choice. I made the choice today.” Paul seemed to struggle to keep his tone calm. “I will do everything I can to make the choice tomorrow. I know my promises don’t mean much and that I’ve managed to make a mess for myself again, but it’s an honest mess this time. I’m not going to take any money from Mom. I’m not going to put you in a bad position for helping me. I’ve got a plan, and you’ll see I’ve changed.”
Quaid’s gut had tightened. He didn’t want to fall down this rabbit hole, but he wasn’t sure he could avoid it. “Mom asked me to help you.”
A ghost of a smile hit his brother’s lips. “And you said you would think about it.”
Well, at least his brother knew him. This was a terrible idea, but he didn’t see a way around it. “Send me the contracts and I’ll look them over.”
Paul shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve found a good lawyer, and she’s going to take care of it.”
