Page 3 of His Secret Gift

He snickers before taking a drink of a nearby water bottle. “Is that so?”

“Yeah.” Now that I’ve said it, I have to buckle down.

“It’s not going to be like that show.” He gestures to the screen. “It won’t be as exciting or as sexy…”

Ew.Hearing my brother say sexy makes a shiver down my spine, and I shimmy my shoulders in response.

He seems to notice, and he laughs again. “I know. Sorry. But it’s the truth. In reality, that kind of work is just waiting hand and foot on some rich asshole who doesn’t appreciate the luxury.”

“I know.” I lied. Then, swiping my hair from one side to the other, I explain, “I’m going to get drinks with Molly.” I note to watch the episode ofYacht Lifeonline later that evening, and I text her quickly to let her know about this new plan.

“Seriously?”

In rapid time, she messages me back that she’ll be at Mo’s Pub, our favorite spot up the road, in a few minutes.

“Yeah, I’m sorry.” I do feel bad for just ditching him, but I also don’t want to talk about this anymore.

“Kayla—”

“What?” I put on my coat, pull my hair from underneath it, and turn to him.

He glances at the ground before meeting my gaze again. “Good luck on the job.”

“Thanks.”

“No, I mean it. I think it’s time to finally release you from my coat tails.”

My eyes squint. “What does that mean?”

“Well, there’s no time like the present, I guess.”

I’m starting to get even more concerned, and a bite down on my lip as I watch him squirm a little.

“Collin, what is it?”

After scratching the back of his neck, he confesses, “Claudia’s pregnant.”

“What?” My hands raise to cover my mouth. I knew they were trying, but I didn’t expect it to happen so fast. “Congratulations!”

I walk over and give him a big hug.

“Thanks.” He tugs on the sleeves of his shirt. “That’s one of the reasons why I applied for a job at a big firm in Cincinnati.”

Now I understand the dressier clothing. But then something else hits me. “Cincinnati? Like Ohio?”

Smirking, he confirms, “Yes, of course.”

“Oh.” Other than when we were at college, we’ve always lived in Indiana. And I guess I thought that’s where we’d always stay.

He grabs my shoulders and seems to search my eyes. “It’s only forty minutes away.”

“I know. But I’m just so used to you being single-digit minutes away.”

He then pulls me closer and plants a kiss on my forehead. “No matter where I go, I’ll always be here for you whenever you need me… besides, it sounds like you aren’t going to be around much anymore either.”

I tilt my head. “What?”

“… the yacht job.”

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