Page 23 of Facial Recognition

“Of course not. He’s your daddy.”

She tucked some of her long-bobbed, ash-colored hair back behind her ear. For being twins, she and Brooks didn’t have similar coloring. Carly was fairer, with eyes that were much lighter, and they were softer than Brooks’s.

“You’ve been more of a daughter to him. Whenever we did talk, he always mentioned how good you’ve been to him. I was both jealous and relieved.”

“I know it’s complicated. I’m glad you’re here, though. I’ve missed you.”

Her eyes misted over. “I’ve been the worst sort of friend. I went back on every promise I ever made, including having you be the maid of honor at my wedding. I’m so sorry, Gracie. Everything just got so messed up.”

As hurt as I had been about that, it all didn’t seem to matter in this moment that teetered on life and death. “Please don’t apologize. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

“Does it?” she begged to know.

“I think so.”

“Brooks mentioned being able to stay at the house.” She swallowed. “I think I would like that. I want my boys to know their granddad’s house. My house.”

“Tom would love that. He just had the pool cleaned, so it’s ready to be used.” I usually did laps in the morning come late spring and into the summer. There was a gate between our two yards that allowed me access.

“The pool.” She grinned. “We spent a lot of good times there, didn’t we?”

I smiled, thinking about all the ogling I had done of Brooks in his Hawaiian-style swim trunks. Then I reminded myself I wasn’t going to think about him or Morgan anymore. “Yours was the party house.” Almost every cheer team party we’d had was at their place. We had all loved to admire Brooks. And he’d made sure to come out and strut his stuff, insisting it was all in the name of safety. He had been our designated lifeguard. Man, how I had contemplated faking drowning. I’d wanted some mouth to mouth from him. Ugh, there I went thinking about him again.

“You were always the best party planner, though. Still are. The reunion sounds amazing, except I want to lose fifteen pounds before the big day.”

“You look great.”

She looked down at her tall body. She was thick boned like her momma, but she wore it well and confidently. It was a Hamilton trait.

“Not as good as you. Please tell me your secret. You haven’t changed at all over the years.”

“It’s the dim lighting.”

“I don’t think so. You have Brooks in a tizzy, I’ll tell you that.”

I shifted in my seat. “I irritate him, is all.”

“Right,” she impishly gleamed. “I suppose that’s why Morgan was reprimanding him earlier in the waiting room.”

“She was? Why?”

“Something about how Brooks should have mentioned that you owned the spa, and she would have appreciated it if he would have backed her up more about not attending the reunion.”

“Hmm. Well, they seem like a solid couple, so I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

“Ugh. Please don’t say that. I’d hoped after twenty years Morgan would have mellowed, but she’s just as controlling as ever. I’ve never understood why Brooks, who never lets anyone boss him around, has let Morgan call the shots with him.”

“She is beautiful, and men seem to love the chase.”

“Huh. I never saw her as very pretty. She has this coldness to her that makes her unattractive.”

I could see what she was saying, but there was no question that Morgan was gorgeous.

“I only hope my brother realizes that before she leads him to another dead end and breaks his heart again.”

I shrugged, pretending not to care whether he got his heart broken by Morgan. Yet, my heart broke a little knowing she had the power to wreck his. A power I’d never had nor would ever possess. Not that I wanted to hurt him. I had only wanted to love him and make him happy. Things, apparently, he didn’t value. Which was why I really needed to stop thinking about him.

“Tell me how life in California is.” I needed to change the subject.

She gave me a small smile. “Really good,” she said almost guiltily. “Dillon’s a portfolio manager and the best dad and husband around. I think our boys love him more than they love me, which is okay because sometimes at the end of the day, I’m ready to sell them on Etsy.”

I chuckled. “Their pictures on Facebook are darling, so you could probably charge a decent amount,” I teased.

She broke into fits of laughter. “Oh, Gracie, I’ve missed your sense of humor and your friendship. Momma and I were talking earlier about how we’ve all missed you.”

“Not Brooks, which is fine,” I made sure to add in.

She tilted her head. “That’s not true. Honestly, when we were growing up, I was kind of jealous of the bond you two had. In some ways, I think you were more connected to my twin than I ever was.”

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