Page 14 of Unleash You

“Right.” The assistant’s cheeks turned bright red as she raised her gaze to me. “We’ll have the items delivered to your home tomorrow.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that.” Anabelle turned to me. “Your mom is going to love these paintings. She’s doing an entire hallway with new art from local artists. She wants to surprise Derek when he’s here next week.”

I was such an asshole. Here I was thinking she had brought me on this excruciating shopping spree to get back at me when in reality she was just doing Mom a favor...to please my brother.

“I’m sure she will.” I didn’t even try to keep the bitter tone out of my voice.

“Well, now that you saw that I wasn’t here to find a way out of the country, am I allowed to meet friends for lunch?” She shuffled toward me.

“I didn’t know you had friends in Atlanta.” I crossed my arms over my chest. Mostly to keep myself in check and not reach out to touch her smooth cheek. Even if Anabelle felt familiar to me, to her, I was practically a stranger.

“I don’t really. I’m having high tea with your mom and Birdie. Lilly wants to show me off.” She shook her head, smiling.

“I’m sorry about Mom. If you want, I can talk to her and get her to back down.”

“I don’t mind.” She waved goodbye.

“Let me give you a ride.”

“Don’t worry about it. She’s just a few blocks away at the St. Regis.”

Leave her now, Wes.“Okay. I’ll walk you out. Lead the way.”

The small shopkeeper’s bell chimed when Anabelle shouldered the door open. She stepped out and shielded her eyes against the bright sunrays. “I missed sunny days in Atlanta.”

“Sure. If you like incredibly hot and muggy weather.” I shrugged, falling in step next to her.

“Oh, come on, it’s not that bad.” She slapped my forearm, and I caught her wrist. Her face turned red right before she blurted out. “Have lunch with us?”

“I can’t. I have work.” My gaze darted from her to our hands. “Sorry.” I let her go.

“Okay.”

Things wouldn’t be so awkward between us if I told her the truth about Charlie’s letters. We strolled the rest of the way in silence as I tried to find the words to gently let her know I’d tricked her for the last three years. I didn’t want her to hate me.

“Hey, I gotta go. Tell Mom I’ll see her tonight for dinner.”

“You can tell her yourself.” She cocked her head and waved at Mom behind me. “Hi, Lilly.”

“Wes, I didn’t know you’d be here.” Mom hugged me tight. “You remember my friend, Birdie.”

“Of course.” I said as Birdie planted a wet kiss on my cheek.

“I’ll never get over how fast kids grow up and leave the nest.” She glanced up at me, holding on to my bicep. “Which reminds me.” A wicked smile pulled on her lips as she shrugged a shoulder in Anabelle’s direction. “My son is joining us for lunch. I think the two of you will hit it off.”

Anabelle’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m sure.”

“Wes, we don’t want to keep you.” Mom wrapped her arm around Anabelle. “She’s in good hands now.”

If I recalled correctly, Birdie’s son Josh was a recently elected congressman, possibly in his mid-thirties, way too old for Anabelle. What the hell was Birdie thinking? More importantly, what was Anabelle thinking? I missed not knowing. Did she want to be set up with a politician?

Dear Charlie,

I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I agree with you. All this fighting sometimes it feels like there’s no end or purpose to it. On a lighter note: I met someone. He’s nice and funny. When the light hits his eyes just right, he reminds me of Wes a bit. No, I’m not hung up on him anymore. Maybe it was just bad lighting.

Tell me more about Maracaibo. I’d like to see a picture of that church you told me about.

I miss you brother, always.

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