“Let me decide that,” I suggest. “Your move….if you’re not afraid.”
He snorts, and I push the board toward him. He moves a black checker forward.
Then I move a red one.
We go back and forth a few times, until he manages to jump one of mine.
“Bingo,” he says with a grin.
“Wrong game,” I tell him. “What’s your question?”
He thinks on that, his large hand drumming on his thigh. “Hmm. Let’s see. Okay, why are you spending the summer here in Angel Bay?”
I answer immediately. “My father wanted me to take the summer off and recharge my batteries. I just finished law school.”
“So your brain is tired?” Brand grins and I swear, it could light up the entire lake. I nod.
“I guess you could say that.”
“Your move,” he tells me.
I move. Then he moves. We parry back and forth, until I finally manage to jump him.
“Do you love Jacey?”
I’m not one to beat around the bush. Brand’s head snaps back and he stares at me in disbelief.
“Wow. You don’t mess around, do you?”
“No. Maria talked so much about her that I’m curious. What’s your answer?” I stare into his eyes and he stares back. Finally he nods and for a minute, my heart stops beating. But then he clarifies.
“Yes. But not in the romantic way. I thought I did for a while, but maybe I never did. She and Gabe have been like my family. I was close to her, and maybe I got confused. Emotions aren’t my forte.”
“So you don’t love her romantically?”
Brand shakes his head. “That’s two questions, sweetheart.”
I suck in my breath at the endearment, and Brand smirks. “What? No one’s ever called you that?”
He’s kidding, but I shake my head. “No.”
“You’re joking.”
Brand is dumbfounded now and I have to laugh. “No, I’m not kidding. Believe it or not, I haven’t had that many relationships. My father never approves of anyone.”
Brand stares at me drolly. “But you were away at college. What your father didn’t know wouldn’t have hurt him.”
I almost shudder. “My father knows everything. Trust me. It’s your turn.”
Brand drops it, and goes, much to my relief. I don’t want to get into how my father kept tabs on me at school. Before long, Brand jumps me again. He levels a blue, blue gaze at me.
“Are you happy?” he asks thoughtfully, rocking back in his seat with his good leg. I suck in a breath.
“Blunt, aren’t you?”
He chuckles. “No more than you.”
Touché.