Page 133 of Tides That Bind

I press a kiss to the bottom of her chin. “Now that I think about it, I might’ve daydreamed about yoga with you once or twice.”

Harper hums. “You can drop in anytime.”

Raising my head, I smile against her cheek. “I plan to.”

After sending Harper homein my car, I hop in the outdoor shower to rinse off. I’ve got a lot to catch up on for The Shack’s books and figured it might make Finn happy to see me get a jump on it when he gets here.

But I nearly drop my towel when I emerge from the outdoor shower minutes later, finding Caroline sitting on the bench.

She’s frowning.

Great.

“Hi. Good morning?”

“Seems it was for you,” Caroline snarks. “We need to talk.”

Extra great. She knows.

I tighten the towel on my waist. “Can I get dressed?”

Caroline presses her lips together and I know her answer to that question isno, but I go into my office and throw on swim trunks and a t-shirt anyway.

I watch through the front glass doors as she paces in the sand. I hate when people pace. It reminds me of my father.

I lift my head to the ceiling and groan, flinging open the door and marching out to the bench where my sister sits.

“I’m here to remind you you’re my sisterand you married my best friend after sneaking around with him for almost ayear.”

Caroline whips her head to me. “You think I’m upset because you’re sleeping with my friend?”

I drop my head, but I don’t even know why. Of all the things, the fact that Harper and Caroline are friends is the least problematic component of our relationship.

She turns to face me. “Riley—”

I tsk and look up at the beach, rubbing my temples. “She’s Nate’s wife and Nate was my best friend and—”

“And she’sfragile, Riley. And there’s a kid involved.”

“I know there’s a kid involved. God, Caroline, do you think I’m doing all this shit willy-nilly? I helped raise Lucas. Ilovethat boy. I…I loved him before I loved her.”

My confession makes both of our eyes widen at the exact same time.

“You’re my brother. My only brother, and I love you and you’ve been through hell and you know what? You’ve never really had it all that easy. I know I’ve been traveling a lot and I haven’t been there for you as much as I should have lately, especially after the accident.” Caroline squeezes my hand.

“I don’t need any mothering,” I tell her.

What I’m looking for, what I’ve always been looking for, is simple. It’s support. It’s the words like,good idea, Riley. You can do this, Riley.

I used to get that from Nate.

Now, I get that from Harper.

Caroline might’ve not talked me out of the lawsuit, but she wasn’t enthusiastic about it. I know my sister well enough to understand when she’s trying to be considerate of my feelings and handle me with care, and it’s been like that from the jump.

“Just have a little faith in me, that’s all I’m asking for. Believe I can do something right in this life. Believe I can do right by her.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. You do a lot of things right. You run abusiness. You’re being a stand-up guy and looking after Lucas when he’s not your responsibility.” Caroline sighs. “I’ve seen the change, Riley, I really have. And if Harper and Lucas have something to do with that, who am I to say anything? I didn’t come here to spy. I came because I have something for you.”

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