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“That’s… super cool of you.”
But then William’s brows knit together as a sudden thought crosses his mind.
“Is this weird for you? Having your brother massage you?”
Yes. Yes, it is weird.
But Evan’s giving me a look like he’s the last dog at the pound looking at his last chance of adoption before having to take his final walk to the vet.
Please. I need this, he mouths.
I shrug. “No. He rubs me all the time,” I lie in a voice that does not even sound like my own.
As Evan begins to set up his massage table, I wonder how a day that started so perfectly could take such an absurd turn.
But then again, with my luck and a brother like Evan, I should have expected nothing less.
WILLIAM
“Thanks for the generous tip! Here’s my card, and if you are happy with my services, please give me a five-star review on Yelp… And if you aren’t, please just keep that to yourself.”
I force a smile as I shake Evan’s hand, and I wait until Emily closes the door before I rub the new ache in my lower back.
“Your brother is…heavy-handed, isn’t he?” I’m trying and failing to be diplomatic.
The couple’s massage experience was not exactly what I imagined it would be. I thought it would be romantic, relaxing…maybe leading to something more.
But then I discover that our masseur is Emily’s mischievous brother.
I can’t think of anything that could be more of a mood killer.
Emily folds her arms, her cheeks are rosy, and she’s pulled in her lips. “I’m so sorry,” she demurs. “Are you okay?”
I twist until something cracks. “Fine, fine. I just… I swear at one point Evan was digging his elbow into my spine.”
Emily buries her face in her hands. “Gosh. I’m sorry,” she says, her voice muffled. “I should have told you the truth aboutEvan. I’m pretty sure he’s not properly qualified. I should have sent his sorry butt away.”
I chuckle, and carefully take her hands away from her face to look into her misty eyes.
Her lips are pouting at me, and her big soulful eyes are shimmering like the surface of the ocean at sunset. She’s cute when she’s feeling guilty.
“I’m glad you opted for a foot rub. Otherwise, he might have sent you to the hospital,” I tease.
The sentiment only prompts a faint smile that disappears as quickly as it appears.
“What is it?” I ask.
"I just... I've been feeling guilty," Emily confesses, her gaze dropping. "I should've told you Evan was my brother. And now I've let him practically assault you."
I laugh lightly, trying to ease her concern. "Emily, it's okay. I survived. And you don't owe me an explanation. I came here for business, remember?"
She doesn't seem reassured, her brow furrows with worry. "Look, William, I need to..." she starts, her tone suggesting she's about to distance herself from me.
But before she can finish, my phone rings, slicing through the tension.
I glance at the screen to see it's my father. Knowing he's likely to pressure me about Madeline Lonelle, I quickly reject the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket.
"Don't speak," I say gently, holding up a hand. "Whatever it is, it can wait. I have something planned for us."
