by Olivia Miles
Make that most of the time, he thought.
Lowering his eyes, Alec swirled the Scotch in his glass before downing the last sip, grimacing only slightly as the liquid burned its way down his throat. He raised a finger, signaling for a fresh round as another burst of raucous laughter emerged from the group.
In all his life, he had never seen his brother so happy. Clearly, life with Elizabeth here in this sleepy town was having a positive effect on him. The brother he knew back in Boston was focused and driven. The guy a few seats down from him was relaxed and carefree. For all William knew, Alec was doing just fine without him.
But he wasn’t. For so many reasons.
Alec felt the familiar pulse of anxiety tense his muscles. The waitress handed him his drink and he took a sip, eager to set aside his worries for a night and enjoy an evening out. He’d been living in the office, often sleeping there, usually not seeing the light of day except through his corner windows when the sun climbed its way over the skyline. In theory, a week in Misty Point was the perfect opportunity to kick back, get a little beach time, maybe rent a boat for an afternoon.
He chuckled to himself. Like that would ever happen.
As the eldest of two boys, Alec had always borne the brunt of the pressure from their father. It was Alec who had been expected to step up and take over the family’s financial planning firm. Alec who was supposed to preserve the legacy their father had built. And now it was Alec who was fighting to keep the sinking ship from going down.
Because that’s what it was, really. Revenue had dropped by nearly fifty percent since last fall when William made his exit from the company, and though it had never been confirmed, he had his suspicions about where those clients had gone…And he knew damn well how important it was to get them back.
“When’s Dad getting in to town?” William asked casually, raising his voice over the din of the pub. It was a dark room, with a nautical theme as Kate had pointed out, and Alec could see why his brother had chosen it. Located right on the shore with the water in close distance, it felt like a retreat from the hustle of city life back in Boston.
“Friday,” Alec said. Probably without an hour to spare before the obligatory rehearsal dinner he was technically hosting. He wasn’t surprised his father hadn’t informed William of his itinerary—if it wasn’t for Alec’s continued involvement with the family’s company, his father probably wouldn’t have much to say to him, either. He’d never been the soft and feely type. They’d had their mother for that.
Alec rubbed at the back of his neck and took another sip of his drink. The evening wasn’t going as planned. He had hoped for a chance to have a private conversation with William—something casual and nonthreatening about the state of the family business—but so far, it had been nothing but fun and games.
“I’m glad you could make it,” William said, coming around to give Alec an affectionate slap on the back.
“Wouldn’t miss it!” Alec replied, hoping his smile appeared as genuine as the one plastered on William’s face. He took stock of his younger brother for a minute, allowing himself a proper look for the first time all evening, and felt a mild shock at what he saw. He’d only seen William once since he’d moved to Misty Point, and he had noticeably changed since his last trip to Boston. His hair was a little longer, his smile a little wider, and even the way he dressed was a little more casual.
Alec tried to dilute the bitter taste that was forming in his mouth with another swig from his glass. With each flash of William’s grin and every echo of his boisterous laugh, the knot in Alec’s gut tightened. He had half-hoped he would stride into town and see his brother nearly sick with nerves, just looking for an excuse to run back to his old life. But William seemed more confident than ever about his choices. And happier, too.
“Well,” William continued, locking nearly identical dark brown eyes with his, “things seem pretty crazy at the office these days. I wasn’t sure if you’d just be driving in and out on Saturday for the wedding.”
Alec resisted the urge to tell him exactly how things were in the office. Now wasn’t the time for it. “Even if I wanted to get a late start, that wedding planner you hired never would have allowed it.”
William gave a knowing laugh. “Ah, Kate. So you’ve met?”
“Oh, we’ve met all right,” Alec said. An image of the pretty brunette sprang to mind. She might be an irritant, but there was no denying her physical attributes. And maybe a little something else, too.
“What did you think?” William asked with a wink.
“Please.” Alec shook his head studied the ice in his glass.
“What?” William chided, elbowing him in the ribs. “You can’t deny it—she’s a good-looking woman.”
Alec swirled the drink in his hand, watching the caramel-colored liquid coat the ice. “I don’t have time for women these days. Not on a serious level at least,” he clarified.
“I used to say the same thing, and look at me now,” William said.
It had only been a year since he’d met Elizabeth on a weekend sailing trip to Misty Point, returning to Boston with a goofy grin and a notable lapse in concentration that continued for the next six months until he’d surprised them all with his resignation. He was choosing the love of this woman over his own family. And he didn’t even apologize for it.
Or consider the risks that went with it.
Alec met his brother’s eyes and forced a slow breath before he spoke. “Yeah, well, you know I’m not looking to settle down.”
William frowned. “Not every marriage ends like Mom and Dad’s did.”
Very few marriages ended like their parents’ had. Most marriages ended in divorce, not…Alec drained his glass, lowering his eyes to the table. He didn’t like to talk about his mother, and William didn’t, either. She was a memory, and a private one, tucked away and treasured, and never shared.
“Are you just planning on staying married to the job forever?” William continued before Alec had a chance to dwell on his previous statement.
Alec flashed his brother a rueful grin. “Would that be so bad?” Now was the chance he had been waiting for. He pushed his glass away as he contemplated his wording. “We used to have a lot of fun back in the office, as I recall.”
William tipped his head, smiling fondly at a distant memory. “Yeah,” he admitted. “We did.”
Alec studied his brother carefully, gauging his mood. “You ever think about coming back to the company?” He could only hope his tone sounded more casual than he felt. The noise from the pub helped disguise any hint of desperation that might have otherwise been heard.
William shifted his gaze to the table. “Oh, I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Sometimes, I guess.”
Oh, really? Alec chose his next words carefully. “You know I’d love you back. What do you say? It could be like old times.”
“Old times.” William took a sip of his drink. “Thinking about coming back and actually doing so are two very different things, Alec. I have a whole life here.”
“But Boston is your home, William.”
William shook his head. “No. No, it’s not anymore.”
Alec tried not to let his frustration show. “So you’re saying this is your home now? That you plan to live in this little resort town permanently?”
Opening his eyes wide, William laughed softly. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Frowning, he held his brother’s gaze as the room around them stilled. “Look, Alec, do you know what I did over the weekend? I went sailing with Elizabeth’s dad. The weekend before, Elizabeth’s brother helped us assemble a new porch swing. We do big Sunday dinners. Heck, we even go to Elizabeth’s cousin’s daughters’ dance recitals. We have a yard and a garden, and we’re planning to get a dog after the wedding.”
“You could have a dog in Boston,” Alec pointed out. Not that he’d have time to give it the attention it deserved, he thought.
Alec glanced at his brother, whose eyes seemed to hold the sa
me sad understanding.
“Do you think I would have time to take care of a dog if I was still living that lifestyle? Much less a wife? Or…kids?”
“Kids?” Alec was grateful for the darkness of the room so his brother couldn’t see the blood drain from his face. Clearing his throat, he said, “Okay, yes, you did work a lot of hours.”
“Too many. It’s no kind of life. That’s why I worry about you.”
“You know I love my job, William.” And he did. Or, at least he used to. It was something he used to excel at—something that used to make his father proud. His father might not have given him much in life, but he had handed both sons that company. It was the one thing Alec had held on to—the one constant in his life that made him feel connected. But now…Alec sighed and ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his forehead.
His brother looked unconvinced. “Yes, but I’m just saying—there’s a lot more to life than that job. Don’t you want a family?”
The word tapped into his worst fear. “I thought I had a family.” Now all he had was a father, who was more interested in spreadsheets than hearing about his day.
“You know what I mean.”
“You mean a wife.” Alec stared out the window onto the cobblestone street. It was late and a glow of gaslights illuminated the storefronts and bustling sidewalk restaurants. There was more going on in downtown Misty Point than he’d thought there would be. He tried to imagine William strolling hand in hand with a wife and a couple of kids, stopping at the ice cream parlor across the street, where families were gathered on benches. He shot a glance back at his brother. “You really think that Elizabeth’s the one?”
William’s eyes sparked. “Yes, or I wouldn’t be marrying her. I thought by you coming here that you had finally accepted it.”
Alec held up a hand. “Can you blame me for being shocked? You barely knew the girl, and it was our first time ever meeting her.” He dragged out a sigh. “Look, I’m not here to cause trouble, William. I’m just looking out for you.”
“I know,” William replied, his tone a little more forgiving. “And so I hope you can understand that I know what I’m doing.”
Alec leaned back in his chair, feeling depressed and nauseous all at once. Everything he wanted—everything he cared about—was crashing down around him. He let his gaze drift lazily around the room before coming back to William. “You’re really happy, aren’t you?”
But he knew the answer; it was written all over his brother’s face. His brother had found the one thing he had been missing all his life. By marrying Elizabeth, he wasn’t just getting a bride; he was getting a built-in family—and the hope for one of his own in the future. When they were young, they used to kick the ball to each other in silence, observing all the other families at the park huddled around picnic tables or sharing a laugh. Even though Alec knew it was pointless, he had searched the stands at every one of his soccer games, hoping to see his father’s face in the crowd. He could still feel the weight of that disappointment now at his age—nearly three decades later. It was the main reason why when William got around to playing sports, Alec made a point of showing up and cheering him on.
And look where it got him in the end. William had found a better replacement, and Alec was left behind.
All he had left now was the company, and God knew its days were numbered. He couldn’t ask for his brother’s help, as much as he wished he could. It was the reason why he hadn’t picked up the phone and called him when this mess started six months ago. He knew William would help if he was directly asked, but Alec had pride, and he wanted William to come back because he wanted to, not because he felt compelled out of loyalty.
William had no idea the lurch he had left his family in. It was so easy for him to stand by Elizabeth and walk away from his own brother—had he really never paused to consider the ramifications of his actions? They’d lost two major clients in the past year: one to a high-profile divorce that broke up the asset pool and another to investment purchases against Alec’s advice. Three other big clients had followed William in his departure—at the time, that hadn’t seemed like a problem, but now it was. It was crucial to bring in new business, but they didn’t have much time to hold on.
“You up for a round of golf this week?” he suggested. Misty Point no doubt had some excellent courses.
“How about Monday?”
Alec hesitated. Monday was his meeting with Mason Lambert. His entire reason for staying in Misty Point rather than leaving tomorrow. Well, that, and trying to convince William to rejoin the firm.
He opened his mouth, about to suggest they have drinks tomorrow night—just the two of them—when William cut in. “Hey, before I forget. Kate’s parents are having us over for dinner tomorrow night. Why don’t you join us?”
“Kate the wedding planner Kate?” Alec couldn’t resist the twinge of interest that quickened his pulse, but it was soon replaced with that uneasy feeling that had settled in his gut since arriving in Misty Point. “That sounds like a family affair.”
“And you’re my family. Join us. They’re nice. You’ll like them. And it will give you and Elizabeth a chance to get to know each other better, too.”
Alec didn’t see how he could argue. He shook the ice around in his glass before taking another sip. Things were already off to a bad start. For some reason, a little part of Alec had hoped he could sweep into town and lure William away from Elizabeth and the life he had created with her. He had thought that blood was thicker than water, that William’s bond to his own family could override any infatuation he might have for the woman he was so determined to marry. But William adored Elizabeth. He had asked her to marry him. William, the confirmed bachelor, was getting married to some pretty young woman from Misty Point, Rhode Island. A resort town with cobblestone streets and a downtown filled with ice cream shops.
If it wasn’t so ludicrous, Alec would burst out laughing. But there was nothing funny about this at all. Not when everything Alec had worked so hard to build was crashing down around him. Not when the only person who could save him was the one person he couldn’t ask for help.
* * *
Kate brought her thumbnail to her mouth and then, remembering her manicure, set her hand back firmly in her lap. She glanced at the screen on her phone, happy to see that the light was only blinking with a new email alert—and good news at that. The cut glassware Kate had special-ordered for the event was in transit, scheduled to arrive by Tuesday morning.
Kate breathed a little easier, but despite having another item to check off her list, she couldn’t fight the frown that was pulling at her forehead.
Charlotte had called today. Again. Making that the fifth time in a month. And if recent history proved anything, this wouldn’t be the last time. For whatever reason, her sister was determined to get in contact with her. As far as Kate was concerned, there was nothing left to say. What did you say to the woman who had slept with your fiancé and then run off to Boston with him, leaving you with shattered dreams and a broken heart? Oh, so nice to hear your voice? Oh, that’s ancient history; how are you?
Yeah. She didn’t think so.
As far as she was concerned, there was nothing to discuss.
So why did a part of her chest ache when she thought of that name lighting up her screen? When the sound of her sister’s voice was so close, just a press of a button away?
It was nostalgia, she told herself firmly. For something they’d once shared. For a relationship she’d hoped to have with her only sibling and now never would. She’d imagined long chats about simple commonalities like recipes or movies or books, not men they’d both slept with.
But then, when had she ever been close to Charlotte, really? Their bedrooms growing up were side by side, but their worlds couldn’t have been more far apart. Charlotte was headstrong, feisty, and openly selfish. A role that Kate now realized she’d probably contributed to, without even knowing it. Kate had been the responsible one. The good student.
The neighborhood babysitter. The shy wallflower. And because of this, Charlotte could stand to be a little more reckless.
Yes, reckless. That’s exactly what Charlotte was.
Kate forced a smile at Elizabeth and tried to focus on the present moment. Just because her dreams had been ripped from her didn’t mean that her friend’s wedding festivities should be any less magical.
She’d planned tonight’s event according to Elizabeth’s tastes, keeping in line with a color scheme of pink and going along with all her favorite foods. It was a small affair—just herself, the bride and the other two bridesmaids, Bree, and their good friend Colleen McKay. They had a prime table on the back half of the terrace at Grigio’s, Misty Point’s see-and-be-seen wine bar, and the restaurant had accommodated Kate’s wishes for the pink rose centerpieces and votive candles. Strings of lights hung above and were wrapped around the potted trees that anchored the space. Quaint and intimate, it was just the kind of party Elizabeth wanted, no need for fanfare or limos or “wild nights” on the town, as Alec had joked.
“I wonder what the guys are up to tonight.” She waggled her eyebrows at Elizabeth’s eye roll, but soon the girls started throwing out suggestions, each more titillating than the next.
“Dancers?” Elizabeth repeated to Colleen, her jaw dropping. She gave a knowing shake of the head. “William’s not into other women like that. I can trust him.”
At this, her cheeks turned a bright shade of red and the table fell silent. Kate felt her own face begin to burn when she realized what was happening. Of course. They were tiptoeing around her feelings again, and as much as she loved them for it, sometimes, she wished they wouldn’t.
“Well, I bet they get a poker game started before long,” Kate said, breaking the ice. “If you need to spend the night with me, you’re welcome to it, Elizabeth.”
She hoped her friend didn’t catch the inflection of hope in her tone. Spending time with Elizabeth had been the truest way for her to shut out the loss of her sister. And it had been nice to have someone to lean on for once. She always had to be the strong one in her family—the one who patiently filled the kettle for tea while Charlotte cried over the latest guy she’d been dating who had disappointed her. Kate never bothered to point out back then that at least Charlotte was asked on dates. And when Charlotte bustled down the stairs a week later, eyes as bright as her smile, asking Kate to zip up the back of her dress, Kate did so, knowing that in a week, when the excitement of this date wore off, they’d be back at the kitchen table again, Kate handing over the tissues, which Charlotte didn’t even bother to throw away.
