More Than Need You (More Than Words 2)

down and help him dive into his box of new toys.

“Did you get all that?” I ask my brother.

“Oh, yeah. So much shit. How are we going to stop this?”

“I don’t know right now, but I think we need to.”

“Absolutely. I’ll find some time to take her around the island and introduce her to people I know.”

In other words, other agents and brokers. I can’t think of any quality individuals who are currently single that I’d want to pair up with my sister, but I’m thinking that even the biggest dirtbag we know would be better than her current fiancé.

“It will do double duty,” my brother continues. “She’ll meet new people and I’ll give you and Britta some privacy.”

I appreciate him doing what he can. “I’ll try to think of some people, too.”

“Hey, what if we introduce Harlow to Makaio?” Maxon jokes.

If Britta is more woman than he can handle, my sister will run him over. Then back up, roll over him a few times for good measure, and leave him for dead. While that’s appealing on some level, I don’t want Harlow wasting her time.

“Ha ha.”

Light, feminine laughter drifts downstairs. Maxon’s face creases into a grin. “At least they have each other.”

I smile myself. “Aren’t you frightened, at least a little, by the mischief the three of them could get into?”

When his eyes go wide, I see he’s finally realizing the possibilities. “Oh, that’s bad. You and I need to marry our brides fast.”

I couldn’t agree more. I’m just not sure it’s going to help. A sinking feeling in my gut tells me these three together will be very tight—and could cause a lot of trouble.

Late Monday morning, Britta disappears. I come out of my office after a series of phone calls that, if they all pan out, will lead to a shitload of transactions. Good news/bad news. The money is something I’ll never turn down, but the timing sucks hard. Still, I can’t exactly say no or they’ll just go to the broker down the street. But that’s the reason I didn’t know my angel had left the office.

“Where is Britta?” I ask Rob, gesturing to her desk. She drove us in this morning, and I don’t see her car in the lot now.

He shrugs. “She didn’t say. Just grabbed her purse and left. Said to tell you she’d be back soon.”

I frown. What, exactly, does that mean? She never said a word this morning about going anywhere over her lunch break today.

One thing I did notice? She didn’t slip on Makaio’s ring again.

I shrug and tell myself I’m overreacting. Maybe she wanted to grab a quick mani or is looking at something wedding related “for Keeley.” It could be anything. Hell, maybe it’s a surprise for Jamie. Or even for me. My mistake the last time Britta and I were a couple was my certainty that she was going to fuck me over, and it was just a matter of when.

I have to be careful not to fall prey to paranoia again.

Maxon and I grab a quick sandwich and bring it back to our desks.

“Keeley is taking Harlow around the island with her today. They’re heading over to the bridal shop this morning to arrange for the tailoring of Britta’s dress,” my brother says as he unwraps his tuna salad.

“Our sister is now in on this plan?” I say as I take my first bite of a club.

“Did you really think we could keep her out of it?” My brother raises a brow.

Good point. I shake my head. “Thank your bride for me. I appreciate everything she’s doing.”

“I will. She’s planning a lot of our stuff at the same time, so it all works out. But she told me to tell you that you don’t get to see Britta’s dress until the big day.”

“I just get to pay for it.” I laugh. “Of course.”

“Naturally. She and Harlow are also meeting a deejay who’s done a few of the community events at Keeley’s last apartment complex. Apparently, he was pretty decent. She asked me to double-check that you have the appointment with the caterer and bakery this week.”

“Took care of that this morning. She can check them both off.”

“I think Keeley and Harlow would do better with the photographer and videographer.”

Because what do I know about that shit? “Agreed.”

“Good. Britta is meeting the florist on ‘our behalf’ later this week.” My brother winks.

Flowers have always been important to my angel, and I want her to have whatever she wants for the perfect wedding. “Excellent.”

“Keeley asked if you’ve got a guest list. Or know who you want in your wedding party. You’ll have to make all the choices since you’re surprising Britta.”

“Um…” I’m drawing a blank, but I have to figure it out. “All right. I’ll get on that. I’m thinking small. You’ll be my best man?”

Maxon smiles and sticks out his hand. “Absolutely. Um, you’re mine, too.”

“Done. Glad that was easy.” We fist-bump, then laugh.

“You inviting Mom and Dad to your big day?”

I wince. “I’d rather not.”

Maxon sighs sadly. “Hell would freeze over before I’d invite Dad. I’m ambivalent about Mom…but I know you’re not.”

“This isn’t about me.” I shrug. “It’s your wedding.”

But if he invites her, I’ll stand up with him at the ceremony and give the toast, but I’ll avoid her at all costs. I don’t know what the hell I’ll do about family pictures. Because if I see her, I’m not sure how much fury I’ll spew. Right now, it’s packed down so tightly it could produce diamonds. But if it explodes…it won’t be pretty.

“What did she do to you?”

My brother’s question disarms me. I probably should have anticipated it. In some ways, I’d love to tell him. Hell, I want to unburden this shit. But it’s terrible. Humiliating. It makes me ashamed. It’s not my place to ruin Maxon’s image of Mom, especially now that he and I are close again. Besides, if he’s never had trouble with her, I’m not sure he’d believe my story.

“Ancient history. Invite her if you want to. I’ll back you up, regardless.”

Maxon frowns at the finality of the closed subject, then consults the list in front of him. “All right. Officiant for your ceremony?”

I whip out my phone. “I need to add that to my growing list. Maybe we should hire someone to handle all the details.”

“Like a wedding planner? It’s not a terrible idea. Know a good one?”

I stare at him like he’s just announced he’s from Mars. “Why would I?”

“Yeah. Me, either.”

So that becomes another possible item I add to my list of things to do. Fuck, it’s getting long. And time is running short.

“Wedding bands?”

I bought Britta’s when I picked out the engagement ring. I’ll have to choose my own.

“I got that.” I tap a reminder into my phone.

Maxon jots some notes himself, presumably to pass on to Keeley. “Bridesmaids’ dresses? Invitations? Honeymoon?”

I blow out a long breath. “There’s so much stuff to do.”

“Yeah, and the first few people Keeley called for you on Saturday actually laughed when she gave them your wedding date, so…the sooner the better, bro.”